Docs
Search K

Appearance

Installation ​

MinuteView Server Installation ​

This guide walks you through installing and configuring MinuteView Server on a Windows Server environment using IIS.

1. Prerequisites ​

Before beginning installation, ensure the following components are installed and configured:

1.1 Operating System ​

  • Windows Server (2016, 2019, 2022 recommended)

1.2 Internet Information Services (IIS) ​

MinuteView is installed as an application within the Default Web Site in IIS.

Ensure:

  • IIS is installed
  • Default Web Site is running
  • ASP.NET features are enabled
  • .NET Hosting Bundle (if required by your version)

1.3 SQL Server ​

A Microsoft SQL Server instance must already be installed.

Supported:

  • SQL Server Express (default instance is acceptable)
  • SQL Server Standard / Enterprise

You will require:

  • SQL Server name (e.g., localhost\SQLEXPRESS)
  • SQL Authentication enabled
  • A SQL user with full administrative rights (for initialization phase)

2. Installing MinuteView Server ​

Step 2.1 – Obtain Installation Media ​

You will be provided with the MinuteView installation media directly by Tentech.

Step 2.2 – Run Installer ​

  1. Launch the installation media
  2. Follow the installation wizard
  3. The installer will deploy MinuteView into IIS under the Default Web Site

Installation Location ​

After installation, files will be located at:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Tentech\MinuteView Server

3. Accessing the Setup Wizard ​

Once installation is complete:

  1. Open a browser on the server
  2. Navigate to:
http://localhost/MinuteView

You will be automatically redirected to the Initial Setup Wizard.

The first launch will guide you through a 9-step configuration process.

4. Initial Setup Wizard ​

The setup wizard walks you through all critical configuration steps needed to get MinuteView operational.

Step 1 – License Activation ​

License Activation

4.1.1 Generate Machine Fingerprint ​

During setup, the system will display a Machine Fingerprint.

  1. Copy this fingerprint
  2. Send it to Tentech
  3. Tentech will generate your license file

4.1.2 Apply License ​

  1. Upload the provided license file
  2. Select Accept & Validate
  3. Continue once validation is successful

Step 2 – Database Initialization ​

MinuteView requires a SQL database.

4.2.1 SQL Requirements ​

You must provide:

  • SQL Server name
  • SQL username
  • SQL password

The SQL account must:

  • Have full administrative permissions
  • Be able to create databases
  • Create tables and populate schema

Recommended Approach

Temporarily enable the sa account and set a secure password for initialization.

4.2.2 Initialize Database ​

  1. Enter SQL connection details
  2. Test connection
  3. Run Initialize Database

This will:

  • Create the MinuteView database
  • Create all tables
  • Populate initial schema and configuration data

Step 3 – Update SQL Credentials (Security Hardening) ​

Update SQL Credentials

After successful initialization:

  1. Create a new SQL login with:
    • Read/Write access
    • Permissions limited to the MinuteView database
  2. Enter the new credentials into the configuration

At this point:

  • The sa account is no longer required
  • It is recommended to disable sa for security reasons

Step 4 – Encryption Key Configuration ​

Encryption Keys

MinuteView uses multiple encryption keys.

4.4.1 Automatically Generated Keys ​

The following keys are automatically generated:

  • JWT Signing Key
  • Client Application Key

These are used for:

  • Token generation
  • Authentication
  • Secure API communication

4.4.2 Master Encryption Key (Critical) ​

The Master Encryption Key is used to encrypt sensitive database data.

Critical Information

This key is extremely important.

If you:

  • Restore a backup to a new server
  • Or migrate the database

You must provide the original Master Encryption Key.

Without it:

  • Encrypted data cannot be decrypted
  • Access tokens will become invalid
  • Re-authentication will be required for integrations and automations

Store this key securely.

Step 5 – Enable API ​

API Settings

This step enables the internal API framework required for:

  • Automation execution
  • Backend integrations
  • System-to-system communication

Enable this option to activate API endpoints.

Step 6 – Creator Module ​

Creator Module

This step provides documentation for the Creator module.

No additional setup is required at this stage.

Refer to the Creator documentation for operational guidance.

Step 7 – Controller Module ​

This step provides documentation for the Controller module.

No setup is required during initial installation.

Refer to Controller documentation for configuration instructions.

Step 8 – Elasticsearch Installation (Optional) ​

Elasticsearch is optional.

However, it is required for:

  • Mesh module
  • Enterprise search
  • Indexing and search capabilities

If you do not require Mesh, this step may be skipped.

4.8.1 Important Notes About Browser-Based Installation ​

Because Elasticsearch installation may involve:

  • Extracting packages
  • Registering Windows services
  • Starting services

The browser may not have sufficient permissions to complete all actions automatically.

This is expected.

The wizard will guide you step-by-step through:

  1. Extracting Elasticsearch package
  2. Installing Elasticsearch as a Windows Service
  3. Starting the service via Windows Services
  4. Configuring admin credentials
  5. Creating a MinuteView service account for Elasticsearch access

4.8.2 Extract Elasticsearch ​

Extract Elasticsearch

The wizard will guide you through extracting the Elasticsearch package to the appropriate directory.

4.8.3 Register Windows Service ​

Register Elasticsearch Service

Follow the prompts to register Elasticsearch as a Windows Service.

4.8.4 Start the Service ​

Start Elasticsearch Service

Start the Elasticsearch service via Windows Services or the wizard interface.

4.8.5 Credential Download ​

Save Elasticsearch Credentials

At completion:

  • You will be prompted to download the Elasticsearch credentials
  • Store these securely for future reference

Step 9 – Final Confirmation & Configuration Export ​

Save Configuration for Automations

The final step confirms that:

  • License is valid
  • Database is initialized
  • Encryption keys are configured
  • API is enabled
  • Optional services are installed

4.9.1 Download Configuration (Recommended) ​

You will be given a one-time opportunity to download your configuration file.

This configuration file:

  • Is required when installing the Automation Engine
  • Contains critical system configuration data

One-Time Download

This download may not be available again. Store it securely.

5. Post-Installation Verification ​

After completing the setup wizard, verify your installation:

5.1 Check IIS ​

  1. Open Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager
  2. Navigate to Default Web Site
  3. Verify the MinuteView application appears
  4. Ensure the application pool is running

5.2 Access MinuteView ​

  1. Navigate to: http://localhost/MinuteView
  2. You should see the MinuteView login page
  3. Use the default administrator credentials provided by Tentech

5.3 Verify Database ​

  1. Open SQL Server Management Studio
  2. Connect to your SQL Server instance
  3. Verify the MinuteView database exists
  4. Check that tables have been created

6. Security Recommendations ​

After installation, implement these security best practices:

6.1 Database Security ​

  • [ ] Disable the sa account if used during installation
  • [ ] Use a dedicated SQL account with minimum required permissions
  • [ ] Enable SQL Server auditing for the MinuteView database
  • [ ] Implement regular database backups

6.2 Application Security ​

  • [ ] Change default administrator password immediately
  • [ ] Store the Master Encryption Key in a secure location
  • [ ] Back up encryption keys separately from database backups
  • [ ] Enable HTTPS/SSL for production environments
  • [ ] Configure firewall rules to restrict access to MinuteView

6.3 IIS Security ​

  • [ ] Configure appropriate authentication methods
  • [ ] Set up SSL certificates for HTTPS
  • [ ] Review and configure application pool identity
  • [ ] Enable IIS logging for security auditing

7. Next Steps ​

After successful installation:

8. Troubleshooting ​

Installation Fails ​

Symptoms: Installer crashes or fails to complete

Solutions:

  • Ensure IIS is installed with all required features
  • Verify .NET Framework/hosting bundle is installed
  • Check Windows Event Viewer for error details
  • Run installer as Administrator

Cannot Access Setup Wizard ​

Symptoms: Browser shows 404 or 500 error

Solutions:

  • Verify IIS Default Web Site is running
  • Check application pool status in IIS Manager
  • Review IIS logs for errors
  • Ensure firewall allows HTTP/HTTPS traffic

Database Initialization Fails ​

Symptoms: SQL connection errors during Step 2

Solutions:

  • Verify SQL Server is running
  • Confirm SQL Authentication is enabled
  • Test SQL credentials using SQL Management Studio
  • Ensure SQL account has sysadmin or dbcreator role
  • Check SQL Server error logs

License Validation Fails ​

Symptoms: License file rejected during Step 1

Solutions:

  • Verify license file matches the machine fingerprint
  • Check license file is not corrupted
  • Ensure license has not expired
  • Contact Tentech for license verification

Configuration Backup

Remember to securely store:

  • Master Encryption Key
  • Configuration export file (from Step 9)
  • Elasticsearch credentials (if installed)

Tentech