PAAS installation and testing
In order for PAAS to operate properly, it needs to be correctly installed and set up. You can find the basic instructions for installing and testing PAAS below:
1. Introduction to PAAS installation
2. What does this service implement?
3. Installing PAAS
1. Introduction to PAAS installation
PANTHEON Automation Server (PAAS) is a micro service application controlling scheduled tasks planned in PANTHEON.
PAAS is a native Windows 64‑bit application, run as a Windows service.
PAAS is installed on a virtual machine with access to the server with PANTHEON databases. This ensures security and enables setting up adequate security restrictions.
In case of servers with several databases, the virtual machine running PAAS must be capable to handle the execution of several PANTHEONs at the same time. There must be enough processor cores available.
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For testing or development purposes, PAAS can also run as a console app, started from the command line. |
Installation requirements:
- Windows 64bit (with MS support: Windows 7 or newer, Windows Server 2008 R2 or newer)
- One writable folder with Pantheon.exe installation
- PAAS.ini or Pantheon.ini with settings in [PAAS] section
- Access to SQL Server service on same Windows or on network
- Administrator rights for Windows service installation and user management
PAAS service is implemented as one executable file (PAAS.exe)
All served dashboard files (html, js, img, ...) are embedded in PAAS.exe executable.
PAAS does not require additional frameworks (no Java, no Dotnet, ...)
It utilizes pure SQL Server client so no additional SQL Server Client software is required.
2. What does this service implement?
The automation server is implemented as an .exe file (PAAS.exe), without external dependencies. No other framework is required.
PAAS implements a simple REST API with JSON payloads.
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For clients with direct SQL Server access, it is possible to use command PAAS tasks via tables. See chapter Alternative to REST API. |
3. Installing PAAS
For testing or development purposes, PAAS can also run as a console app, started from the command line.
‘PAAS.exe’ is a regular Windows service and can be installed using the Windows service installation via method, like ‘sc.exe’, or taking the steps of the installer, which is the preferred way.
PAAS Settings:
All supported settings are read from [PAAS] section in PAAS.ini or Pantheon.ini in the same folder where PAAS.exe is located.
All setings are loaded on service startup. If settings are changed – then PAAS service restart is needed to update settings.
Available PAAS.INI settings
Access to SQL Server:
To prevent exposing passwords in INI files, it is recomended to use Windows Authetification for PAAS service. Steps required are these:
- Create new Windows or domain user for PAAS service (for example paas.service\DOMAIN)
- Install service
open admin CMD.exe prompt in folder where paas.exe is, and run paas.exe –service install
- Change PAAS service LogOn to run under new Windows user
- Allow access to SQL Server to newly created Windows user
- Start service
If you are using Login= param in PAAS.ini for »SQL Login«, then service can be run using »Local System account«. Check that directory where pantheon is located has read/wrate permisions for local SYSTEM user.
Test installation:
PAAS Service implements simple dashboard with list of Pantheon task runners, and log preview. It is server as standard html. Visit http://localhoost:8091 to access Dashboard.
If port is changed, use that instead of 8091.
If HttpsDomain is set please visit https://<your.domain.com>.
Https site should have lock to onote secure access.
Without login info - only visible thing are service state and uptime.
After login to service, Activity and Log are accessible.
Activity page allow to force restart of started Pantheon instances or close active runners.
Log page allows to monitor last 3000 lines of PAAS http access and message logs.
Logs are on standard Windows Event Log
PAAS service logs errros, warnings and Info to Windows Event Log under PAAS application name.
In case of error, items can be filtered in Windows Event Viewer.
From CMD, paas.exe will log on screen and started Pantheon instances can be seen on screen
You can find more about other options regarding PAAS installation on the sites below:
1. PAAS Manual installation
2. How to remove PAAS
3. Installing PAAS under a user account
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