Installing Doors.NET in a Server Environment

Installing Doors.NET in a Server Environment

1.0 Introduction

It is strongly advised, if you are installing Doors.NET on a Windows Server operating system (2003, 2008, 2008 R2, or 2012), that you have an IT person that is a Microsoft Certified Professional present during the install of Doors.NET. Windows Server operating systems have unique requirements that certified IT professionals are trained to handle. This document outlines the main things to be aware of when installing onto a Server operating system.

2.0 Supported Server Versions

These Server versions support .NET Framework v4.6.2 and SQL Express 2016 which is used by Doors.NET and allows the software to take advantage of the power, functionality, and speed provided by the current .NET Framework revision, and also reduces software installation/upgrade time.
  1. Windows Server 2016 (x64)
  2. Windows Server 2012 R2 (x64)
  3. Windows Server 2012 (x64)
Note: It is possible to use Doors.NET on Server 2008R2, Server 2008 and Server 2003 (an older version of Doors.NET (v3.5.1.22)) but this is not recommended as series 3 Doors.NET software is no longer in development. Keri strongly recommends you update your PC hardware and operating system to stay current with Microsoft system requirements to be capable of running the current Doors.NET Series 4 software.

3.0 Using an Unsupported Windows Server Version

Important notes to be aware of if you do need to use an unsupported Windows Server version.


3.1 Server 2012

Server 2012 and Server 2012R2  is compatible with v4.8.0 but for new installations you should install v4.4.0 first. Installing v4.4.0 will also install SQL Express 2016 (which is the last supported SQL version for this operating system). You can then upgrade to v4.8.0 as the system will then use the existing SQL Express 2016 database engine.

3.2 Server 2012 R2

Server 2012 and Server 2012R2  is compatible with v4.8.0 but for new installations you should install v4.4.0 first. Installing v4.4.0 will also install SQL Express 2016 (which is the last supported SQL version for this operating system). You can then upgrade to v4.8.0 as the system will then use the existing SQL Express 2016 database engine.

3.3 Server 2008

  1. This version does not support SQL 2016 (and therefore will not support an encrypted admin password).
  2. For a new install you will not be able to install SQL Express 2019 because it is not supported on this operating system. You would need to install Doors.NET v4.4.0 which will install SQL Express 2016 - and then upgrade the installation to v4.8.0.

4.0 Admin Rights

To install Doors.NET on a Server operating system, Keri Systems recommends that the user has full administrative rights.


5.0 Server Roles

The user on the Server should have .NET Framework roles enabled. On the Manage menu in Server Manager, click add Roles and Features. Select a destination server that is running Windows Server 2016. On the select features page of the add Roles and Features Wizard, select . NET Framework 3.5 and .NET Framework 4.6.2.


6.0 SQL Database Password Policies


7.0 Encrypted Admin Password

  1. Encrypted passwords are only available when using SQL Express 2016 or greater.

8.0 Windows Updates

Doors.NET utilizes the latest Microsoft .NET framework and service patches. Use the Windows Update feature if you need to update the operating system.Depending on the computer, Windows Update may need to be run multiple times before installing Doors.NET. The installer will install the required .NET patches if needed. Computers that are not up-to-date will require additional time for the install.


9.0 Anti-Virus Software

You should temporarily disable any anti-virus software when you perform the Doors.NET installation. Once the installation has completed you should then enable the anti-virus software and add Doors.NET and its assted services as exceptions.



10.0 Windows Firewall


    • Related Articles

    • Doors.NET in a Server Environment

      1.0 Introduction If you are installing and using Doors.NET on a Windows Server operating system (2012, 2012R2, 2016, 2019, etc) Keri advises that you have an IT person that is a Microsoft Certified Professional present during the install of ...

    • Manually Installing a Doors.NET Database

      Creating a new database using InstallDHSDB. When you install the Doors.NET software there is a utility automatically created in the C:\Keri\DoorsNET directory. This utility can be used to manually install the Doors.NET database, such as for a ...

    • Doors.NET - Application Server

      Application Server to Clients and Gateways The Application Server is the heart of the Doors.NET system. It is an asynchronous, TCP socket server that accepts connections from both the gateways and clients and provides a generic transport mechanism ...

    • Installing Doors.NET on a Windows 11 PC

      1.0 Introduction Doors.NET Software is now supported on Windows 11 Operating systems. Keri has done extensive testing with Doors.NET v5.0.0 and strongly recommends installing Doors.NET v5.0.0 or higher to ensure compatibility with Windows 11. While ...

    • Doors.NET - On a Virtual Machine

      1.0 Introduction Keri is often asked the question: 'Can Doors.NET be used on a Virtual Machine and the short answer is Yes. Apart from the presence of a physical workstation running Doors.NET in a virtual environment is almost exactly the same as if ...