Installation & version updates
Step 1 - Prerequisites
Server Specification
We recommend the following specs for your web server hosting Cura:
- 2GB RAM
- 2 Cores
Microsoft.Net Framework
You will need to have Microsoft.Net Framework, version 4.0 or later installed in order to use Cura.
NOTE: It is important that on the IIS server the order of installation is Windows -> Webserver software -> .net Framework
Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS)
Your web server must have IIS version 7.0 or later installed. In addition to this, the following IIS features must be present:
Web Server
- Common HTTP Features
- Static Content
- Default Document
- HTTP Errors
- HTTP Redirection
- Application Development
- ASP .NET
- .Net Extensibility
- ASP
- ISAPI Extensions
- ISAPI Filters
- Security
- Windows Authentication
- Management Tools
- IIS Management Console
- IIS Management Scripts and Tools
- IIS 6 Management Compatibility
- IIS 6 Metabase Compatibility
SIMS .net workstation components
If you want Cura to allow staff to login using their SIMS username and password, or if you want Cura to periodically update staff and student details from the SIMS database, then you will need to install a workstation version of SIMS onto the same server as Cura.
Step 2 - The Service Controller
Log in to our website, www.tascsoftware.co.uk, using the login details that were sent to you when you purchased Cura. If you have lost your details, please contact us on 01902 824281.
Once you have logged in, click on the "Downloads" link at the top of our website. Download and run the latest Cura service pack on your IIS server. Once you have accepted the licence agreement, the installation will unpack and begin.
The Service Controller will open, which is the program that installs and updates the Cura database and website. There are five options on the left side, each explained below. You should work through these from top to bottom.
Please note if you are only upgrading your existing Cura version then the Data, Web site and Application stages will automatically be skipped and the Commit and Background service will only apply. If you are upgrading from SQL LocalDB then all stages will apply, please also uninstall the SQL LocalDB 2014 (but retain the databases located usually in inetpub\wwwroot\Cura\App_Data) if it is not being used by any other program and then restart your server before starting the update.
Data
This node is used to configure the database for your Cura. The options available to you are Install SQL or Continue, please read further as both are explained:
Install SQL
This method is used for a first time install of Cura, which has a built in automated process that does the following:
- Downloads SQL Server Express with Tools 2014 from the Microsoft website, this will be confirmed with a progress bar on your service controller
- Once downloaded the SQL Server Express files are temporarily unzipped in the "Documents" folder and the install process begins
- Command prompt will now open and begin the install (will remain active until install is completed, please do not close)
- SQL Server 2014 Setup wizard will now appear and complete the install, this will install the databases required and relative permissions so the data can be accessed
- Once the install is completed a message will be displayed "Please wait while SQL Server 2014 Setup processes the current operation
- The Command prompt and SQL Server window will now close and return back to the Service controller
- Now please follow the Web site information below to continue with your install
Continue
This method is used if you have an existing database that you would like to use for Cura, eg if the database is located on a different drive, this also has an automated process that does the following:
- The Data process is skipped and you are moved onto the Web site area to define your site address and location of the file usually located in inetpub\wwwroot\Cura\ for further information please see Web site section below
- On Application please click on the green "plus" button and the application will be defined cura/cura, then please click on "Continue"
- On the Commit tab, click "Begin" at the bottom of the screen and "Yes" to confirm to continue on the message box
- The service controller will now ask you to define the existing SQL database you would like to use for your Cura
- Please insert in the form data source=ServerName\Instance; user=sa; password=password; if incorrect information is entered and is not valid a message This is not a valid connection string will be displayed
- Now please follow the Background service information below to continue with your install
Web site
This node is used to configure a website. You can either use one of the existing web sites listed in the panel (Default Web Site), or add a new site by clicking on the green "plus" button. If you add a new site you will be asked to specify the site name, the listening port (which should not collide with any existing sites or services), and an SSL certificate if any such are present (or choose (none) if you are going to install this at a later date).
Additionally, you need to specify a folder on the IIS server where the application files will be stored. It is important to choose a location that the IIS user (NetworkService) will have permissions to read. It is recommended to point the path to inetpub\wwwroot\cura. (Please create this folder manually)
Application
Once you have chosen your site, you can add an application to that site please click on the green "plus" button. There are no options for this stage.
Commit
Next click on the Commit node. Click the "Begin" button to commit the changes to your Cura application. This process needs to be performed each time a Cura service pack is run on the web server.
Once the commit process has completed, Cura will open in your server's default internet browser. If this happens, your update/installation has worked successfully.
Background Service
Running status
This tells you whether or not Cura will be performing important automated processes. Follow the three steps below in order.
- If the "Version" field includes the text "Update available" then click the "Uninstall" button at the bottom right.
- If the "Running status" field is blank, click the "Install" button at the bottom right.
- If the "Running status" field says "Stopped" then click the "Start" button at the bottom right.
Optional MIS details
If you have a SIMS database then you can enter a SIMS username and password into these fields. This will enable staff to login using their SIMS username and password, instead of/or their work email address and Cura password. Cura will also be able to periodically (3 times per day) scan SIMS to update its list of students and staff from the SIMS database.
Exit Codes in SQL Server 2014 Installation
When the SQL Server installation is coming to completion you may find that an exit code is displayed, please see below for further information. Exit code: 3010 - Server requires to be restarted - please restart the server and run the Cura installer again Exit code: 2068643839 - This error requires technical support please contact our helpdesk on 01902 824281