Install Guide - Windows

Installation: Step-by-Step

1. Complete the prerequisites listed in Before You Begin.
2. To prepare for Step 8 below, it is recommended to reach out to the data team or the primary team that will use Validatar and inquire about their intention to use Windows Authentication for any database connections.
3. If installing on a clean server dedicated only to Validatar, open IIS and stop the Default Website by expanding Sites in the Connection pane on the left-hand side and selecting Default Web Site. Then right-click the Default Site, click Manage Website, and select Stop.
4. Download the latest installer from https://admin.validatar.com/releases.
5. Run the installer. If you do not have the operating system administrator role, you will need to Run as Administrator.
   1. The installer will check for completed prerequisites. Any missing prerequisites will be listed and must be completed in order to continue. Exit and reopen the installer to continue after completing the prerequisites.
6. Select the Destination Folder for the Validatar install.
7. Click Next.
8. Enter IIS application pool identity information - this will be the account Validatar runs under.
   1. If you intend to use Windows Authentication for any database connections in Validatar, choose the Service Account option. 
   2. or Automatically create a local account
9. Click Next.
10. Enter IIS website information for the Validatar website. The port number is typically 80 unless you already have another website listening on that port.
    1. Host is optional and typically used if you have a DNS record set up for users to access Validatar.
11. Click Next.
12. Click Install.
13. Click Finish.
14. In IIS, verify that the default site is stopped and the Validatar website is running.

Validatar Metadata Repository Configuration

1. Open a browser window.
2. Enter localhost or the DNS name to access Validatar.
3. Validatar requires an empty database for the metadata repository. This will utilize the user credentials mentioned in the prerequisites.
4. Choose the appropriate Database Engine.
   1. SQL Server or PostgreSQL
5. Enter the connection string with the appropriate user credentials.
   1. Mask the password by using a placeholder of [[PASSWORD]] in the connection string box and using the Password box instead.
6. Test the Connection.
7. Click Save & Continue.

Create the Initial Global Admin User

The final step of the install configuration is creating a global admin user. You will be able to add additional users later.

1. Enter the user's account details and create a username and password.
2. Select your time zone.
3. Click Complete Setup.
4. Log into Validatar using the recently created credentials.
5. Click Sign In.

Assigning an SSL Certificate

We encourage obtaining an SSL certificate from a certificate authority.

1. Install the certificate on the web server to encrypt network traffic.
2. After Validatar is installed, use IIS to assign the certificate to the Validatar site

Read instructions on how to Setup SSL on IIS here. Scroll down to the IIS Manager section.

That's it! The Validatar Server installation is complete. Next, you'll want to apply the Validatar license key because functionality will be limited without it.

View the Getting Started checklist to learn what you need to do next as a new Validatar user!