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KB2800080 Version 2.8 Upgrade Guide
This article provides an overview of patching a PROJECT in a box client-server installation from Version 2.7 to Version 2.8. Please note that patches must be applied incrementally e.g. if your installation is at Version 2.6 you must patch to 2.7 then 2.8. All downloads are available from your client page.
System Overview
PROJECT in a box (PIAB) is a client-server application consisting of:
- An ASP.NET web browser and web services application ('piabws')
- A SQL Server 2008 or 2005 database ('piab')
- A .NET Windows client application that connects to the service using web services (http/https).
Changes in this Version
Please review the changes in this version: KB2800020 Technical Changes in PE 2.8
Preparation and Roll-back
- Backup the entire PIAB installation folder e.g.
Program Files\PROJECT in a box Professional. Note: Depending on your backup software, the search index catalogue, contained in the idx folder may not be copyable until you have stopped the Microsoft Indexing Service. However, it is not necessary to backup this folder as it is rebuilt by the Indexing Service itself. - Backup the 'piab' SQL database, either using your system tools or the backup feature in the 'PROJECT in a box Server' program.
Rollback consists of restoring the original installation folder and restoring the 'piab' database from backup file.
Patching the Server
The PIAB server consists of an ASP.NET web and web services application and a SQL server database called 'piab'. The default install folder is Program Files\PROJECT in a box Professional
Step 1 - Run the Server Upgrade Patch
Download the following patch installer and run it on the server. This updates the web and web services application files. NB Make sure to run the patch installer, not the new setup installer, or you may lose data. The new setup installer will prompt you if it finds an existing installation but as an administrator you can still proceed.
piabpe-patch-server-2.8.1.xxx.exe
When you run the patch it will place a timestamped log file in the install folder as below. This file contains useful information about the progress of the patch and should be retained for reference and troubleshooting.
e.g. piabpatchlog-2.8.1.001-build-1-[2010-06-06_10-30-01].txt
Step 2 - Run the SQL Upgrade Scripts
If your SQL Server is on a remote PC then it is likely that you will need to apply the SQL scripts separately. Navigate to the folder:
Program Files\PROJECT in a box Professional\patch-2.8.1.xxx
The SQL upgrade scripts are as follows (in order of how they should be applied):
piab-2.8.1-table.sqlpiab-2.8.2-view.sqlpiab-2.8.3-custompermissions.sql
You can run these with the Microsoft SQL management tools (e.g. Enterprise Manager) or edit and run the command scripts provided for SQL Server 2005 or 2000 respectively.
sql-update-2008.cmdsql-update-2005.cmd
Patching the Clients
The PIAB client is a .NET Windows Application, consisting of a set of folders and files normally located on the client PC in folder:
Program Files\PROJECT in a box Professional
Option 1 - Run Upgrade Client Patch
The clients can be upgraded individually using the client setup program. These do not need to be applied incrementally.
piabpe-client-2.8.1.xxx.exe
Option 2 - Client Deployment Page
An alternative is to prepare and deploy the client using a web page. The PIAB client is a files-only, XCOPY type installation and can be deployed as a self extracting download. If you are using the client-server system with the PIAB client deployed via the browser (Enterprise Hub):
- Run the 'PROJECT in a box Server Management Tool' (aka 'PROJECT in a box Server')
- Go to the 'Make Deployment Client' section.
- Follow the steps to review and re-build your deployment clients to ensure that users get the latest client on their desktops.
For more details please see: KB2410032 Client Deployment
Notes
- The location of the web application folder is:
Program Files\PROJECT in a box Professional\piabws - Out-of-date files are written to the 'saved' folder during the patch run.
Problems?
If you find any problems with the process:
- Open your PIAB install folder on the server (normally 'Program Files\PROJECT in a box Professional').
- Look for the patch log file e.g. 'piabpatchlog-2.8.1.001-build-1-[2010-01-01_10-30-00].txt'
- Review for errors, and send to support at support@projectinabox.org.uk
Quick Test Plan
Note: These tests must be carried out on a client PC that has the necessary client software installed to work with the project files (e.g. Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project). Basic connectivity tests can be carried out on the server.
| # | Test | Instructions | Expected Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connectivity | ||
| 1.1 | Login | Run the client and login as a PIAB Administrator | Login successful |
| 1.2 | Version Check | Do 'Help/About' and check the client and server versions are correct | Both show the correct version |
| 1.3 | Select Project | Do 'File/Select Project' and choose a project | The project opens with a process overview diagram |
| 2 | File Operations | ||
| 2.1 | File Explorer | Click a process box(s) to open the File Explorer | File explore opens |
| 2.2 | Navigate Explorer | Use the document tree to navigate to a document and file | File details appear in the RH pane |
| 2.3 | View File | With a file selected, click the 'View File' button | File opens on the client PC |
| 2.4 | View File Version | If present, select an older version from the file version list. Click the 'View Version' button | Older version of the file opens on the client PC |
| 2.5 | Check Out File | If permissions allow, click on the 'Check Out File' button | File opens on the client PC; The file is marked in the client as Checked Out. |
| 2.6 | Check In File | If permissions allow, click the 'Check In' button and follow the instructions to check in the file | The file checks in to the server; The file is shown as 'not checked out'; The file version history table is updated; |
| 2.7 | Copy to Email | Click the 'Email this File' button | A new email opens in Outlook with the file attached |
| 3 | Search | ||
| 3.1 | Keyword Search | Click 'Search'; Type 'mandate' into the 'keyword' field and click the 'Search' button. | The search list is populated with a document tree containing documents and files that match the search |
| 4 | Reporting | ||
| 4.1 | Project Report | Click 'reports/project report' and click OK | A report appears in a browser or in Word containing the project report. Note that the success and contents of this operation depend on correct set-up of the project, report options and client applications so you may see warnings before the report appears. |
| 5 | Enterprise Hub | ||
| 5.1 | Connectivity | In a web browser, navigate to the PIAB Enterprise hub URL e.g. http://MYSERVER/piabws/default.aspx. | The PROJECT in a box Enterprise Hub application opens either with a login page, or already logged in depending on your system settings. |
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