APPX 5 Installation Instructions

This page provides instructions for installing APPX 5.

Notes

• IMPORTANT: The APPX Desktop Client for Macs only runs on Intel based Macs with OS/X 10.5 Update 1, or higher. Older Intel based Macs might be able to use a third party Java runtime but this has not been tested. Power PC based Macs will not be able to run the APPX Desktop Client at all, since Apple does not provide Java SE 6 for this platform.
• IMPORTANT: APPX Desktop Client version should match the APPX Server version. Failure to keep client and server version in sync can cause connectivity issues between client and server.
  
• IMPORTANT: APPX 5.0.0, 5.0.1 and 5.0.2 Unix/Linux installers require the bash shell interpreter. The next patch release (5.0.3) will make use of Bourne shell.
• IMPORTANT: As part of an ongoing process to separate the job functions of System Administrators and Designers, Appx System Administrators are no longer automatically granted Design Rights. After installing APPX 5.x, you may have to grant yourself design rights. If there is only one System Administrator (other than user 'appx'), you will be able to grant yourself design rights. If there is more than one Appx System Administrator, you must get one of those administrators to grant you design rights.

Overview

Installation of APPX 5 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.

The System Administration files from earlier versions of APPX are not compatible with the System Administration files for APPX 5. Therefore, APPX 5 includes a conversion utility to convert the System Administration files from the APPX 4.2.a structure to the new APPX 5 structure. If you are upgrading from a previous version of APPX, you will first need to download, install, and run the System Administration upgrade application. The steps for completing this task are included in the upgrade instructions.

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.

Disclaimer

APPX 5 includes many new features and bug fixes. As always, before upgrading your APPX production system, you are strongly encouraged to install APPX 5 into a test environment where you can verify the compatibility of your applications. APPX 5 has been thoroughly tested but, because of the complexity of computer software (including the APPX Utility), there will certainly be bugs. Consequently, there is no guarantee that your applications will be completely compatible with this significant new release. It is your responsibility to test your applications to ensure that they are compatible with this new release of APPX and to make any changes that may be necessary to maintain compatibility. Finally, before upgrading your production system, make a backup of your applications and your data. Your computer software and your data are important assets of your organization. Please be prudent and take the steps needed to protect this important investment.

Known Issues:

• On Windows servers, the way special fonts (ie, Bar Codes, etc) are installed and used has changed due to the new PDF libraries included in Release 5. You will need to install the fonts on the server using Windows Control Panel and modify the Resources that use them. Unix/Linux installations do not require any changes. Please refer to the page for UsingCustomFonts for more information. This can be done on your existing 4.2 installation before installing 5.x.

APPX Utility Installation Instructions

Windows Server/XP/Vista/Win 7

New Installation

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

Upgrade Existing Installation

Are you already running APPX 5.0.0 or APPX 5.0.1? If yes, then following these instructions prior to your upgrade.

Follow these instructions to upgrade an existing installation of APPX 4.2.a to APPX 5.

Linux/Unix

IMPORTANT: APPX 5.0.0, 5.0.1 and 5.0.2 Unix/Linux installers require the bash shell interpreter. The next patch release (5.0.3) will make use of Bourne shell.

New Installation

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

Upgrade Existing Installation

Are you already running APPX 5.0.0 or APPX 5.0.1? If yes, then following these instructions prior to your upgrade.

Follow these instructions to upgrade an existing installation of APPX 4.2.a to APPX 5.

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 only runs on Intel based Macs with OS/X 10.5 Update 1, or higher. Older Intel based Macs might be able to use a third party Java runtime but this has not been tested. Power PC based Macs will not be able to run the APPX Desktop Client at all, since Apple does not provide Java SE 6 for this platform.

Windows Desktops

Installation

Follow these instructions to install the ADC onto a Windows Desktop.

Linux Desktops

Installation

Follow these instructions to install the ADC onto a Linux Desktop.

Mac Desktops

Installation

Follow these instructions to install the ADC onto a Mac Desktop.

APPX ODBC Installation Instructions

APPX ODBC - New Installation

APPX ODBC - Upgrade Existing Installation

Installing Databases

DatabaseInterfaceUpgrades

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-- SteveFrizzell - 25 Sep 2008