AGRIS 21.1.0 Easy Upgrade Instructions

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Upgrading from AGRIS 9.5.0.x and higher to 20.3.0

Table of Contents

IMPORTANT: Installing or upgrading AGRIS requires up to two (2) system restarts on all server and client machines, as detailed below. Please take this into consideration when planning your installation or upgrade.

1. A system restart after completing the .NET Framework installation program (this installation program will only run if the computer does not yet have the required version of the .NET Framework)

2. A system restart after completing the AGRIS installation program

Must Read – Warnings, Critical Changes, and Install Tips

CRITICAL CHANGE: New for users upgrading from 9.5.0.x:
The installation of AGRIS 20.3.0 will change the location of SYSMENU.EXE. This can impact scheduled tasks and environments where AGRIS operates as a published application in Citrix or Remote Desktop. User intervention may be required to address system pathing issues if they arise.
TIP: Download the install package in advance (see STEP 1) as this can take some time to complete (download is approximately 541MB). There is no impact on users by simply downloading the install package (SETUP.EXE), so users can remain in the system during this step. Users will need to exit AGRIS while AGRIS is installing (Steps 2 – 4).
TIP: If there are standalone computers to update (e.g., remote oneWeigh workstations), complete Steps 1-4 on those units and perform all steps locally on the standalone machine.
TIP: This document assumes an existing installation of AGRIS 9.5.0.x or higher is already in place and that all machines running AGRIS meet the system requirements of the new release.

Background Information

Since AGRIS installs are cumulative, applying the latest one can help ensure that you are getting the most out of the system. There are 5 major steps associated with the upgrade process. This document will guide you through performing those steps correctly and in the recommended order.

STEP 1. Download the AGRIS 20.3.0 Installer on the AGRIS Database Server

Go to the console of the AGRIS database server and open a Web browser (NOTE: It may be best to use the Edge or Internet Explorer browser as the Chrome browser may block the links).
Blank out the address line, then type in https://culturana.force.com/s/login and press Enter.
Sign in to the Greenstone Community with your credentials.
1. If you have not already signed up for the Community, then click 'Not yet a Greenstone Community member? Click here!'. New registration reviews and approvals usually occur within 8 business hours or less.
In the search at the top, type "AGRIS 20.3.0 IS AVAILABLE" or click HERE. Scroll down the page to the Download AGRIS 20.3.0 section and right-click the setup.exe link and choose 'Save Target As…' or 'Save link as…'
To download to the desktop, click Desktop on the left side of the window and then click Save on the bottom, right side. Do not rename the file.
1. If an older Setup.exe file is found, click "Yes" when prompted to overwrite the file.
2. If you administer Citrix and/or Terminal Servers, you may wish to download Setup.exe directly to the Apps\AGRISDIST folder for installation via the network on those machines.
3. Alternatively, you may find it easier to simply download the setup.exe to the desktop of each server instead of trying to browse to setup.exe via the network. If so, just repeat Steps 1-5 on each of the servers.
The AGRIS 20.3.0 installer will begin downloading. This can take several minutes depending on your internet download speed.
1. There may be Software Updates or Service Packs available for 20.3.0. Please review the "AGRIS 20.3.0 IS AVAILABLE" page on the Community site to determine if either are available and how to load them.
When the download is complete, move or copy the setup.exe to the AGRIS Distribution Folder, which is typically located on the server at Apps\AGRISDIST
1. If an older Setup.exe file is found in this folder, click "Yes" when prompted to overwrite the file.

STEP 2. Backup and Verify that Your AGRIS Data is Protected

Determine if your regular backup and verification processes provide an acceptable level of protection in the event there are issues with the dataset conversion process.
You may desire to manually backup the data immediately prior to installing 20.3.0 by copying the datasets, userprog and support folders via Windows Explorer, or by using an existing backup and verification process.
Note: Recommendations pertaining to backing up AGRIS data may be found HERE.
Note: Additional backup steps for those running AGRIS with MSSQL can be found here: https://culturatech.atlassian.net/wiki/x/2JPFBQ.

STEP 3. Install AGRIS 20.3.0 on the Server(s)

.NET Framework 3.5:
1. For Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2016, this version of the .NET Framework must be installed manually. It may already be installed on your machine(s), however you need to confirm this before proceeding. Procedure:
  1. Click Start and type "Server Manager", then click on the Server Manager.
  2. Click on the Local Server in the selection tree.
  3. Scroll down to the ROLES AND FEATURES section
  4. In the TASKS dropdown, select Add Roles and Features
  5. On the Before you Begin step, click Next
  6. On the installation type step, select Role-based or feature-based installation and click Next
  7. On the Server Selection step, ensure your server is selected and click Next
  8. On the Server Roles step:
    1. For Windows Server 2012 R2: checkmark Application Server, click Next
    2. For Windows Server 2016: click Next
  9. On the Features step, checkmark the .NET Framework 3.5 Features option. Checking this will automatically check the .NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0) option. For AGRIS, you do not need to checkmark the options for HTTP Activation. Click Next until you are on the Confirmation step.
  10. On the Confirmation step, click Install
  11. Once the installation is complete, click Close to close the Add Roles and Features Wizard.
  12. Close the Server Manager.
WARNING: Due to enhanced security features in Windows, please ensure that the installer is unblocked prior to installation using the following steps:
1. Right-click on the downloaded Setup.exe and click Properties
2. At the bottom of the General tab, look for a button that says "Unblock"
  1. If the button exists, click Unblock and then click OK
  2. If the button does not exist, click Cancel and continue with the installation as normal.
3. Right-click the SETUP.EXE and choose Run as Administrator. If there is a User Account Control message, click Allow.
If you are upgrading from 9.5.0.X, a window appears describing the change to the location of SYSMENU.EXE ("Important-Before you Install") that was mentioned previously. Please read the message carefully and click Yes.
If prompted to install Microsoft .NET Framework 4.7.2, click Install. You will be prompted to reboot after this. You can choose to reboot now or later, however rebooting after the .NET Framework installation is mandatory before proceeding with the remainder of the AGRIS installation. Reboot and then log back in as the same user, and the AGRIS installation will automatically continue.
"A previous AGRIS version has been found on your system. Removal of the previous version of AGRIS is required. Would you like to uninstall the old version?" > click Yes.

Upgrading from version 10.0.0 and greater will uninstall the previous version automatically. NOTE: Please be patient as this may take a few minutes.
Upgrading from version 9.6.0.X and prior will require you to click through the prompts to complete the uninstallation of the previous version:

Removal of previous version:

"AGRIS Install process check", click Yes
"Reinstall or Remove this application", ensure that Remove is selected and click Next
"Confirm Uninstall", click OK. Wait while the uninstall takes place. The process can take several minutes.
The first "Error 1905.Module…" appears. This is expected when uninstalling 9.6.0.x or older. Click OK.
The second "Error 1905.Module…" appears. This is expected when uninstalling 9.6.0.x or older. Click OK.
"Maintenance Complete", click Finish

Installation of new version:

"Welcome to the InstallShield Wizard for AGRIS Version 20.3.0" > click Next
"AGRIS Setup is performing the requested operations"
"InstallShield Wizard Complete" > click Finish.
"Do you want to apply optimization changes?" > click Yes. Be sure to allow the black screen that appears to close on its own in order to complete the installation.
Please reboot to complete the installation. Rebooting after the AGRIS installation is mandatory.
Repeat Steps 1-10 for each server that has AGRIS installed.
If using the AGRIS Blender Services for AgroGuide, the services will be disabled by default after installing AGRIS 20.3.0. Complete the following steps to ensure successful operation.
Click Start > (Settings) > Control Panel > (System and Security) Administrative Tools > Computer Management
On the right-hand side of the window, double-click Services and Applications – Services
Right-click on "Cultura AGY Auto Control Service" and select Properties
Click on the down arrow next to Start-up type, change from Disabled to Automatic (Delayed Start)
Click on the tab that says Log On
Click 'This account' and specify an administrative account and the correct password for the Password and Confirm Password fields.
Click Apply and OK.
Repeat Steps 11-15 for the "Cultura AGY Blender Service."
Right-click on "Cultura AGY Auto Control Service" and select Start
Right-click on "Cultura AGY Blender Service" and select Start

STEP 4. Convert the Live Dataset(s)

Note: When selecting a dataset to convert and a ***WARNING! OTHER DATABASE CONNECTIONS EXIST ON THIS DATASET. *** message appears, this is often caused by other services or applications that are running. Please:

Do NOT click OK
Do NOT press ENTER to proceed with the conversion.
Stop those other services or applications before proceeding. The connection(s) must be cleared and prevented from connecting to the database in order to proceed with the conversion.
Remember to restart those services or applications once the live dataset conversion is complete.

Note: STEPS 4 and 5 can occur simultaneously in order to minimize downtime.

Launch AGRIS at the console of the database server and select the live dataset.
A message appears indicating a conversion is required > click Validate to check the integrity of the data prior to conversion. If issues are found and you are asked if you want to rebuild these files, click Yes to allow the validation procedure to automatically perform the rebuild and
validate again
If there is no ***WARNING!...*** message showing, click OK to begin the conversion.
1. NOTE: If there is a warning, and you require assistance, determining where it is coming from. Please contact the Technical Assistance Center.
When the dataset conversion is complete, a Login screen will appear (assuming system security is enabled for the dataset).
Login to the dataset to complete the conversion process.

A few points to keep in mind when converting datasets:

You must convert a dataset before users (and other services) can access it.
Each dataset requires its own conversion.
Once the dataset conversion process is complete, it is complete for all users.
Complete the first dataset conversion from start to finish (including logging into the dataset) before starting the next dataset conversion. This ensures that the Datasets *.AGR files, which are shared between all datasets, convert successfully.
Converting a dataset on the database server typically takes less time than on a client machine.
Simultaneously converting multiple datasets may significantly degrade performance if large file sizes are present. If you still wish to convert multiple datasets simultaneously, please contact the Technical Assistance Center for more details.
Consider prioritizing the conversion of datasets to minimize the impact to end users.

STEP 5. Perform the Auto-Update (Client Workstations)*

Note: Multiple client machines can be upgraded at the same time.

.NET Framework 3.5:
1. For Windows 8.1 or Windows 10, this version of the .NET Framework must be installed manually. It may already be installed on your machine(s), however you need to confirm this before proceeding. Procedure:
  1. Click Start and type "Programs and Features", then click on the Programs and Features.
  2. Click on the Turn Windows Features on or off link.
  3. Checkmark the .NET Framework 3.5 (includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0) checkbox
  4. Click OK to start the installation
  5. Once the installation is complete, click Close
  6. Close the Programs and Features
Double-click on the AGRIS icon on the desktop of the client workstation.
"A new version of the system is now available. 20.3.0. Update now?" > click Yes
If you are upgrading from 9.5.0.X, a window appears describing the change to the location of SYSMENU.EXE ("Important-Before you Install") that was mentioned previously. Please read the message carefully and click Yes.
If prompted to install Microsoft .NET Framework 4.7.2, click Install. You will be prompted to reboot after this. You can choose to reboot now or later, however rebooting after the .NET Framework installation is mandatory before proceeding with the remainder of the AGRIS installation. Reboot and then log back in as the same user, and the AGRIS installation will automatically continue.
"A previous version of AGRIS has been found on your system. Removal of the previous version of AGRIS is required. Would you like to uninstall the old version?" > click Yes.
"AGRIS Install process check", click Yes
"Reinstall or Remove this application", ensure that Remove is selected and click Next
"Confirm Uninstall", click OK. Wait while the uninstall takes place. The process can take several minutes.
The first "Error 1905.Module…" appears. This is expected when uninstalling 9.6.0.x or older. Click OK.
The second "Error 1905.Module…" appears. This is expected when uninstalling 9.6.0.x or older. Click OK.
"Maintenance Complete", click Finish
"Welcome to the InstallShield Wizard for AGRIS Version 20.3.0" > click Next
"AGRIS Setup is performing the requested operations"
"InstallShield Wizard Complete" > click Finish.
"Do you want to apply optimization changes?" > click Yes. Be sure to allow the black screen that appears to close on its own in order to complete the installation.
Please reboot to complete the installation. Rebooting after the AGRIS installation is mandatory.
Repeat Steps 1-17 for all client workstations on the network.

* Windows 7 (no longer supported) units cannot update using this method unless AGRIS 9.5.0.27 or higher is already installed on those units. To upgrade correctly from AGRIS 9.5.0.26 or previous, it is necessary to browse to the correct SETUP.EXE file, then right-click on SETUP.EXE and choose the "Run as administrator..." option.

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