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APPX 5.5.0/5.5.1/5.5.2/5.5.3/5.5.4 Installation Instructions

This page provides instructions for installing APPX 5.5.0 and subsequent patch releases..


Notes

SSL Certificate Change (All Versions)

*IMPORTANT:* This version includes new SSL certificates. Clients earlier than 5.4.4c cannot connect.

Workarounds for older clients:
  1. Disable SSL - Set SSL to disabled in the login manager (default is 'optional'). Allows older clients to connect until upgraded.
  2. Use old certificate on separate port - Add -UseOldSSLcert=true to a login manager on a different port. Older clients use this port until upgraded.

ALERT! Note: Java Web Start clients must be upgraded to 5.4.4c or higher - they cannot use the workarounds above.

Version-Specific Upgrade Notes

Complete the steps for each version between your current version and target version, in order.

Upgrading from prior to 5.3.3:
  • Run System Administration > File Management > Update Keymap (fixes Bug 2823)
  • Delete 0SA/Struct/SEC* then run Sys Admin File Management > Create Files (Role Based Security format changed)
  • If you used Data Exchange in 5.3.0, see these instructions

Upgrading from prior to 5.4.3:
  • Process the Data Dictionary if using Language Translation (fixes Bug 3450)

Upgrading from prior to 5.5.0:
  • Transparent flag fix: The Java client now honors the Transparent flag. If screens show underlying data after upgrading, uncheck the Transparent flag on those images.
  • Running multiple APPX versions: The license manager's shared memory layout changed. If running 5.5 alongside an older release on the same server, set a unique APPX_MONITOR_KEY value for each installation.

Upgrading from prior to 5.5.3:
  • Linux only - libtar is required. To check if installed: 
whereis libtar
# If installed, output shows: libtar: /usr/bin/libtar /usr/lib/libtar.so ...
  • To install libtar:
    • RHEL/CentOS: dnf install libtar.i686
    • Ubuntu/Debian: dpkg --add-architecture i386 && apt install libtar:i386
  • Numeric display change: If numbers show as ???? after upgrading, set APPX_OLD_FRACTIONAL_DISPLAY=1 in $APPXPATH/appx.env

Upgrading to 5.5.4:

*Complete these steps in order. Do not proceed if any step produces errors.*

  • Pre-Upgrade Step 1: Process Data Dictionary - Process the Data Dictionary on all applications except APPX-installed applications (DMO, 1EX, and the 0-apps). Resolve any errors before continuing.
  • Pre-Upgrade Step 2: Restructure Data Files - Restructure all your data files. Resolve any errors before continuing.
  • Windows Server 2008/2008R2 Only - Windows 2008 requires a workaround because PowerShell cannot be upgraded:
    1. Install APPX 5.5.4 to a new directory
    2. When prompted to run appx to finish, skip that step
    3. Back up your existing APPX directory
    4. Copy the new APPX installation on top of the existing APPX installation.
    5. Restore your $APPXPATH/appx.env file from the backup
  • Upgrade - Run the 5.5.4 upgrade installer. The installer updates all numeric field display masks in every appliication, so it may take a little longer than previous upgrades.
  • Post-Upgrade: Recreate Structure Files - Immediately after upgrading:
    1. Remove all Struct directories from your databases (except APPX-installed applications (DMO, 1EX, and the 0-apps):
      • Linux/Unix: $APPXPATH/{db}/{app}/Struct/
      • Windows: %APPXPATH%\{db}\{app}\Struct\
    2. Run Create Files in Database Management for all data files

Overview

Installation of APPX 5.5.x is accomplished by simply following the steps outlined below for your target platform. Because all platforms use a common Installation Wizard, the installation steps for the various platforms are very similar.

APPX runs on multiple platforms (various Windows versions & servers, Linux, HP-UX, AIX, etc). The steps for installing are very similar between all Linux/Unix platforms and all Windows versions, and rather than give instructions for each variation, we break them down into all Windows installations and all Linux/Unix installations. Where applicable, we note any O/S specific variations within the instructions for that type of O/S.

A new feature in APPX is the ability to email reports directly from APPX. This requires the installation of the 'mutt' email client. See below for information on installing 'mutt'. Note that some Linux distributions already include this package. If you already have a third party email client you prefer, you can hook the Email API and replace it with your code. See here for more details.

APPX Utility Installation Instructions

Windows Server/Win 7/Win 10

New Installation

Follow APPX500WindowsNewInstallation to install APPX onto a Windows system where APPX is not currently installed.

Upgrade Existing Installation

If you are running version 5.0.0 to 5.3.x, then consult these instructions for any special considerations.

When you are ready to proceed with the upgrade, then:
  • Ask all users to log off.
  • Terminate any remaining appx tasks, such as the license server, using Windows Task Manager.
  • Stop the login service(s), using the Windows Task Manager.
  • Follow the instructions above for a new installation and install the new release on top of your existing installation. This release includes an upgrade tool that will automatically make any required changes to Structure files, create new System Administration Files and so on but only if your prior release was 5.4.0 or higher. Be sure to check the displayed log for any manual actions that might be required. If your prior release was earlier than 5.4.0, then follow these instructions after installing 5.5
  • Restart the login service(s), using the Windows Task Manager. Note that if any APPX sessions are running during the upgrade, or if you don't stop all the login services, you will have to reboot your server to complete the upgrade.

If you are running 4.2.a or older, follow APPX500WindowsUpgradeInstallation to upgrade an existing installation to APPX 5.5.

Linux/Unix Server

New Installation

Follow APPX500LinuxNewInstallation to install APPX onto a Linux/Unix system where APPX is not currently installed.

Upgrade Existing Installation

If you are running version 5.0.0 to 5.3.x, then consult these instructions for any special considerations.

When you are ready to proceed with the upgrade, then:
  • Ask all users to log off.
  • kill all remaining appx tasks, including the license server.
  • Stop the login services, using the O/S specific commands to start/stop services.
  • Follow the instructions above for a new installation and install the new release on top of your existing installation. This release includes an upgrade tool that will automatically make any required changes to Structure files, create new System Administration Files and so on but only if your prior release was 5.4.0 or higher. Be sure to check the displayed log for any manual actions that might be required. If your prior release was earlier than 5.4.0, then follow these instructions after installing 5.5.
  • Restart the login services.
If you are running 4.2.a or older, follow APPX500LinuxUpgradeInstallation to upgrade an existing installation to APPX 5.5.

Using 64 bit Linux?

If you're planning to run APPX on a 64 bit version of Linux, see Running APPX in a 64 bit environment for details on how to install the required 32 bit libraries.

APPX Desktop Client Installation Instructions - Overview

The Appx Desktop Client (ADC) can be downloaded from the APPX web site under Downloads/Desktop Products. There are installers for Windows, Linux and Macintosh desktops. There are no license restrictions on downloading and installing the client software. You may install the software on as many desktops as you like. Your APPX server license will limit the number of simultaneous connections.

To upgrade an existing ADC installation, simply install the new version on top of the old version. It is not necessary to uninstall the old client software first.

In addition to the ADC, you will probably need a PDF viewer. For Windows and Linux desktops you can use the Adobe Acrobat reader or the free Foxit reader. Mac OS/X includes the Preview application, which is sufficient for view and printing PDF documents.

IMPORTANT: The APPX Desktop Client does not run on Mac laptops with a touch bar or on Mac OS 10.15 (Catalina) or higher. For those systems, use the HTML client instead.

Windows Desktops

Installation

Follow APPXADCWindowsInstallation to install the ADC onto a Windows Desktop.

Linux Desktops

Installation

Follow APPXADCLinuxInstallation to install the ADC onto a Linux Desktop.

Mac Desktops

Installation

Follow APPXADCMacInstallation to install the ADC onto a Mac Desktop.

APPX HTML Client Instructions

Installation

Another alternative to the above desktop clients is the HTML client. This will run your APPX applications in a browser on a desktop, tablet or smart phone. See APPX HTML Client for instructions on installing the HTML client on your web server.

APPX ODBC Installation Instructions

APPX ODBC - New or Upgrade Existing Installation

Databases

Configuring APPX to work with RDBMS systems.

Installing 'mutt'

The new Email feature requires the 'mutt' email client, or, if you have a command line email program you are already using you can hook the email process with your own. See .UTIL EMAIL for information on how to do this.

Mutt is readily available in all common Linux distribution's package management systems. It may not be installed by default, you can use the following commands (as root) to install:

RHEL/CentOS 7/8 - yum install mutt

Debian/Ubuntu - apt-get install mutt

Unix platforms will would either need to compile from source obtained from mutt.org project site or seek out platform specific binary distribution locations such as:

AIX https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/aix-toolbox-linux-applications-overview
HPUX http://hpux.connect.org.uk
Solaris http://www.sunfreeware.com/introduction.html or https://www.opencsw.org

Windows users can obtain Mutt via the Cygwin project. If you already have an email command line client that you are using, see .UTIL EMAIL for instructions on how to hook the the standard routine with your own.

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-- BrianRyan - 2020-07-30
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Topic revision: r24 - 13 Jan 2026, JoeOrtagus
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