Dundas BI Azure application deployment guide

Contents[Hide]

1. Overview

This article details the steps to take after deploying the Dundas BI virtual machine from the Microsoft Azure Marketplace, as well as recommended actions and migration options.

Important
The Azure Marketplace app has been deprecated for new deployments, but you can install Dundas BI on an Azure virtual machine to run Dundas BI in a similar way. You can also deploy Dundas BI on Azure using Docker images, or with Kubernetes to take advantage of cloud options such as automatic resource scaling and management.

2. Set up your Azure instance

On first login after provisioning the Dundas BI application from the Microsoft Azure Marketplace, the Dundas BI Azure Setup application will run automatically and look for the latest Dundas BI setup files.

Dundas BI Azure Setup application updating
Dundas BI Azure Setup application updating

When requested, fill in the fields provided to complete the setup.

The Database State dropdown allows you to choose to Create new databases or Use existing databases, which determines the remaining fields.

Set up your Azure instance - new databases at left, existing databases at right
Set up your Azure instance - new databases at left, existing databases at right

  • Application Storage Engine: Allows you to choose between Microsoft SQL Server (includes Azure SQL) or PostgreSQL databases for running Dundas BI.
  • Application Database Connection String: Connects to the database Dundas BI uses to store its own application data.
  • Warehouse Database Connection String: Connects to the database Dundas BI uses for its data warehouse storage.

Below are examples of connection strings you can enter depending on the chosen storage engine:

  • SQL Server: Data Source=YourDatabaseServer; Initial Catalog=Dundas BI YourInstanceName; User Id=YourUserName; Password=YourPassword
  • PostgreSQL: Host=YourDatabaseServer; Port=5432; Username=YourUserName; Password=YourPassword; Database=Dundas BI YourInstanceName

When creating new databases, additional fields are required:

  • Admin username: The username for the built-in administrator for the Dundas BI instance.
  • Email Address: The email address for the built-in administrator for the Dundas BI instance.
  • Password: The password for the built-in administrator for the Dundas BI instance.
  • Internal URL: The URL used internally to connect to the application (e.g. for automated dashboard export).
  • External URL: The URL for regular users of the application.

After the information is entered, click the button at the bottom.

The Dundas BI Azure setup application will then do the following:

  1. Download the latest version information
  2. Remove the old setup files
  3. Install the latest Dundas BI setup files
  4. Initialize the Dundas BI instance
  5. Add the Authentication Bridge
  6. Set the internal URL
  7. Set the external URL

Dundas BI Azure Setup
Dundas BI Azure Setup

After all tasks have finished, a summary will appear. A link will appear on the last page.

Important
The Dundas BI URL that appears will launch a browser when clicked, but you should click the finish button before interacting with this browser window to allow Windows and required services to finish loading.

Setup summary
Setup summary

Important
Once the Dundas BI Azure setup is run successfully, it will automatically close.

3.1. Switching to SSL

It is strongly recommended to use SSL with the Dundas BI instance. This can be done by setting up a certificate in the application gateway or load balancer that is above this virtual machine.

For more information see: What is Azure Application Gateway?

Alternatively, if you have just a single website and have no plans to add more load balanced Dundas BI web applications you can setup SSL in IIS directly. For more information on this, see How to Set Up SSL on IIS 7.

3.2. Upgrading the instance

To upgrade the Dundas BI instance to a new version, log in to the Dundas BI virtual machine, then open the Dundas BI Azure application located at:

C:\Program Files\Dundas Data Visualization Inc\Dundas BI\Azure\Dundas.BI.Deployment.Azure.exe

If a new update is available, you will see a screen with an upgrade button. Otherwise, a message that your instance is up to date will appear.

Dundas BI Azure upgrade screen
Dundas BI Azure upgrade screen

When you click to upgrade, the Dundas BI Azure Setup application will do the following:

  1. Download the latest version information
  2. Remove the old setup files
  3. Install the latest Dundas BI setup files
  4. Upgrade the instance

Dundas BI Azure upgrading
Dundas BI Azure upgrading

When upgrading is finished, a summary is displayed.

Upgrade complete
Upgrade complete

4. See also

Dundas Data Visualization, Inc.
400-15 Gervais Drive
Toronto, ON, Canada
M3C 1Y8

North America: 1.800.463.1492
International: 1.416.467.5100

Dundas Support Hours:
Phone: 9am-6pm, ET, Mon-Fri
Email: 7am-6pm, ET, Mon-Fri