Installing Aligned Elements Web Server
  • Elements SPA Installation
  • Preparing the Windows Server
    • Before you get started
    • Install and Configure SQL Server for Aligned Elements
    • Install .NET 4.8
    • Install/Activate the IIS
    • Enable ASP.NET 4.5/4.6/4.7
    • Optional: IIS Always running part 1
    • Installing Web Platform Installer and Web deploy
    • Install URL Rewrite Module
    • Install IIS Crypto to disable Weak Ciphers and Protocols
  • Deploying the Aligned Elements Web Solution
    • Install the Aligned Elements Web Server Package
    • Setting HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS)
    • Optional: Open Ports in the Network on Azure hosted Virtual Machines
    • Optional: Get a SSL certificate from Let’s Encrypt
    • Binding your SSL certificate to the Aligned Elements web site
    • Creating the „Temp“ and „Files“ directories
    • Remove stdole.dll from bin directory
    • Move ElementsSPA.xml from the "App_Data" folder to the "bin" folder
    • Add the Aligned Elements License Files
    • Set the necessary security permissions for directories
    • Optional: IIS Always running part 2
    • Install necessary Unicode Font
    • Install and Configure File Server Resource Manager
  • Configure Application Options in web.config
    • Configure Application Options in web.config
    • Set the Server and connection string
    • Always Require SSL
    • Referring to the Project Templates
    • Email Configuration
    • Word Add-in Configuration and deployment
      • Distribute an Add-in using the Office 365 admin center
      • Distribute the Add-in using sideloading for Windows
      • Distribute the Add-in using sideloading for Mac
    • Optional: Integration of the Aligned Elements Automation Tool
      • Importing Dashboards with Rename using the Automation Script
    • Optional: Enabling Active Directory Integration
  • Optional: Configuration of AI Features
  • Create an Initial User
    • Option 1: Aligned Elements Projects already exist
    • Option 2: New Web server, no Aligned Elements Projects exist
  • Upgrading the Aligned Elements Web Server
    • Upgrading a Server
  • Troubleshooting
    • Generic Server Error
    • Missing version of stdole.dll
    • Missing Dependencies for Txic.dll
    • Error shown: Could not load file or assembly “System.Net.Http”
    • 500 Internal Server Error
    • Error when trying to start application
    • The server is not starting after upgrading to v2.5 SP 4 Part 1
    • The server is not starting after upgrading to v2.5 SP 4 Part II
    • Load a project works but when clicking on a design Item, you are re-directed to the login
    • The application cannot connect to the license server
    • The urls in email notifications are incorrect/missing port information
    • Missing Font
    • Mismatch of server name between Windows-client and Web.
  • Cannot upload Templates
  • Running 'ElementsSPAPackage.deploy.cmd' closes the Command-Prompt window
  • Web.config Settings
    • Settings of the Web.config
Powered by GitBook
On this page
  • Preparations before starting your Aligned Elements installation
  • Summary: Make sure the following Pre-requisites are in place before starting the Aligned Elements Installation

Was this helpful?

  1. Preparing the Windows Server

Before you get started

PreviousElements SPA InstallationNextInstall and Configure SQL Server for Aligned Elements

Last updated 11 months ago

Was this helpful?

The Aligned Elements Web-solution requires an IIS Webserver to run. IIS is an integrated part of Windows Server, and we recommend using Windows Server 2016 (or newer) which includes IIS 10.0.

Preparations before starting your Aligned Elements installation

For the best possible installation experience, make sure that the items below are clarified/available before you start the installation.

1. A Windows Server 2016 (or later) with a public IP address.

2. An installed SQL server database (preferably on the same server) – Aligned Elements uses SQL Server as the data repository. For installation and configuration instructions of the SQL Server for Aligned Elements, see:

or https://www.aligned.ch/images/SupportDocumentation/AlignedElements_UserManual.pdf section “Maintenance of Database”.

Detailed Installation Requirements and supported compatibility can be found here, in the Web Client section(s): https://aligned.ch/support-center/system-requirements

3. Set a DNS name for the server and connect it with the public IP – your Aligned Elements users will access the application by typing an URL in the browser and you shall select an appropriate URL for your Aligned Elements application (e.g. “elements.mycompany.com”). That URL (or DNS) will be used in the installation below (this is required for secure communication via https) so make sure you have decided on a name. Communicate with your IT provider to associate that DNS name with the public IP address of the server on which Aligned Elements will be installed.

4. The secure communication between your browser and server (HTTPS) needs a non-self-signed SSL-Certificate for the web-site. You might already have commercial SSL certificates available in your organisation. If so, use them. Otherwise, you can use buy a commercial SSL-Certificate from a certificate vendor or use the free and automatically updated “Let’s encrypt” SSL-certificates, described in this manual in section Get a SSL certificate from Let’s Encrypt

Note! Aligned Elements functionality requires a non-self-signed SSL-certificate. This is not optional.

5. SMTP settings of an email account for the server – Aligned Elements communicates with users using emails and therefore needs an email account to send messages. Make sure you have the SMTP settings of this account available before starting the installation.

6. You should have clarified how to distribute the Microsoft Word Add-in provided with the application to applicable users. Using O365 Admin-centre or via Sideloading (see section Word Add-in Configuration for reference).

The Server may be hosted within your IT-infrastructure (physical/virtual) or in any cloud. This manual will include additional steps required if you choose to host the Windows Server as a VM in Microsoft Azure.

Note: Two installation steps require the server to be rebooted: Install IIS Crypto to disable Weak Ciphers and Protocols and Install necessary Unicode Font. It is OK to reboot once after both steps have been completed.

Summary: Make sure the following Pre-requisites are in place before starting the Aligned Elements Installation

Pre-requisites before starting the Aligned Elements installation:

Windows Server 2016 or later

Installed SQL Server

DNS name

SSL Certificate (optional)

Email + SMTP information

Info how to distribute Word Add-In

Install and Configure SQL Server for Aligned Elements