As described in Flow Architecture, the Flow Information Platform requires a running instance of Microsoft SQL Server. If you do not have an existing instance of SQL Server, you will need to install SQL Server first. For a small Flow Information Platform (e.g. demo or proof of concept) you can install Microsoft SQL Server Express (Microsoft SQL Server Webpage).
Installation
Once you have installed SQL Server (or you have identified an existing SQL Server), run the Flow Installation Package, “Flow x.x.x.x.msi” where x.x.x.x is the version build number.
The latest Flow Installation Package is usually found on the Flow Software website (www.flow-software.com)
Click “Next” …
The prerequisite check window will notify you whether all the prerequisites have been met. Note that some prerequisites are optional and dependent on your architecture. For example:
- If you're not installing the Flow Config tool but only installing the Flow Bootstrap, then you don't need the .NET 6 Desktop Runtime
- If you're installing on a node where you aren't running any data sources that still require .NET Framework, then that prerequisite is optional
- If your Flow database is on a different node, then you don't need SQL Server installed on the node where you're installing Flow.
By selecting the hyperlink next to each prerequisite, you'll get a detailed explanation of the reason behind the message.
Accept the terms of the License Agreement and click “Next".
By default, both Config and Bootstrap components will be selected for installation. If you are deploying a distributed Flow Information Platform, you may need to install Config on some machines (e.g. laptops) and Bootstrap on others (e.g. servers). Click “Next”.
Select the installation path and click “Next” to complete the installation.
When the installation has been completed, you'll get a window with the completion message and the Finish option. If there is a problem with the installation, the message will state this. Use the "View Log" option to understand what went wrong and/or to send to support for assistance.
Distributed Installation
In the “real world”, you would install the separate components of Flow on different machines. For example:
The Bootstrap would be installed on servers where you want to deploy the Flow Platforms, Engines, Message Engines and Servers.
The Config Tool would be installed on your developers’ (or even business users’) computers for configuring measures, events and reports.