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WriteBackExtreme One-Click Installer Guide

Install WriteBackExtreme on Windows with a single click

The following guide provides extra context to the One-Click Installation Wizard for WriteBackExtreme, getting you on the way to realising your writeback use-cases as soon as possible!

Prerequisite

There are a few prerequisites and things you’ll need before the installation:

  • A web domain, for example, <https://extension.company.com> (create a DNS entry) which points to the host of WriteBackExtreme.
  • SSL certificates for the above domain (the installation requires the domain’s `.crt` and private `.key` file, or a `.pfx` file).
  • Server Resources: 4 vCPU, 8Gb, 50Gb application disk space, 100Mbps or 1Gbps network-interface
  • Firewall rules permit access on the port the application will run on. Both internal, external, network and server-firewall.

Please note that Tableau requires extensions to be running on HTTPS/SSL connection and therefore required!

Pre-installation Checklist

Before starting the installation process, the following items should be collected and stored in a way they can be accessed during installation.

The executable and license file can be downloaded from the Apps for Tableau portal (https://my-appsfortableau.infotopics.com).

A HTTPS webdomain is required, and in turn requires a SSL certificate. Both the .key and .crt or PFX files are required in the installation process.

The last requirement is a running database that will function as a repository database for WriteBackExtreme. This is a MySQL (min 5.7), SQL Server (min 2016) or PostgreSQL database.

We require temporary internet access during the installation procedure.

The Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable software package needs to be installed before starting the installation.

Requirements:

  1. One-Click installer executable
  2. WriteBackExtreme License
  3. SSL Certificates (.crt and .key)
  4. Credentials to a running database
  5. Temporary internet access
  6. Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable

Installation Steps

The installation wizard for WriteBackExtreme consists of several steps guiding you through the installation process. For further details, please follow the descriptions below.

WriteBackExtreme License

When starting the installation process, the first step is to provide the subscription license downloaded from the your personal download page in our Apps for Tableau Portal. Either click the upload area to find the license file in your storage, or drag and drop the file directly into the installer.

Database Setup

Currently, the following databases are able to serve as a repository database for WriteBackExtreme:

  • SQL server
  • MySQL
  • PostgreSQL
  • SQLite

Below is the specific setup required for each of these databases.

 

Information and credentials required for a MySQL database to function as repository database are:

  1. Database host:
  2. (Optional) Database port:
  3. Database name:
  4. Database username:
  5. Database password:

In order to use SQL Server, a SQL-srv account has to be used as opposed to a Windows-authenticated (AD) account. Furthermore, the following is required:

  1. Database host:
  2. (Optional) Database port:
  3. Database name:
  4. Database username:
  5. Database password:

PS: Using a host with like machine01instance?
Write it like this: machine01instance

Required connection information for a PostgreSQL database are:

  1. Database host:
  2. (Optional) Database port:
  3. Database name:
  4. Database username:
  5. Database password:
  6. (Optional) Default schema:

To use SQLite for a local flatline database, a database name must be defined. If this database name is already present, the existing database will be reused for WriteBackExtreme. SQLite is a local flatfile database. This database should be used for testing only as you can’t connect to it from Tableau.

Create a User

The next step is to create an admin user for the backend of WriteBackExtreme. This user will be used for the initial login into the backend. Make sure to write down or remember the login information (this can be changed in the backend after logging in).

URL & SSL Certificate

The final step is the configuration of the domain the application will be run on. The protocol (e.g. http:// or https://) can be skipped. You can specify a port number at the end (e.g. writebackextreme.company.com:8080).

Setting up a reverse proxy can be done by expanding the option visible below the form entry for the domain.

Configuration

Home Page

The home page of the WriteBackExtreme configuration wizard shows the status of the service (running or not). It also allows for the enabling of automated startup of the service.

 

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