Knowledge Base

Certificate Check Tool

The certificate verification can be performed using the Certificate Check Tool that is shipped with the NoldusHub installation package. It is an executable that should be run on the Server. This tool is not the same tool as the Installation Readiness test tool. It is a separate executable, available in the installation package, and it should be executed separately.

Procedure

A flow diagram is shown below, illustrating the Certificate Check procedure (and the Installation Readiness check procedure).

1. Copy the certificate check tool to the folder on the server that also contains the certificate files (*.pfx, *.cer, *.key).
2. Run the certificate check tool as an administrator (no parameters needed).
3. Inspect the results (on screen), and resolve issues if they are reported before testing again.

Troubleshooting

• Sometimes, the combination of files that constitute the SSL certificate fileset is not complete. Missing files can be created using the OpenSSL toolkit.
• Sometimes, the fileset appears complete, but the password protected PFX file is not configured with a password. OpenSSL toolkit can be used to set a password.
• The password that protects the PFX file should be RSA-encrypted. If not, the certificate check will fail.

Install NoldusHub on the Server

Aim

To install the necessary software on the server to access NoldusHub on the test leader PC and the observer devices.

Before You Begin

• Make sure the server meets the computer and network requirements as described in the Specifications.
• Ask for the network range used for the server in the customer's network.
• Ask for the security certificate details at the customer's site.
• Set up a hostname for the server.
• Connect the devices in the NoldusHub network. See Connections.
• Keep your NoldusHub Software Activation Key within reach.

Step 0: Allow PowerShell Script Execution on the Server

Before being able to run PowerShell scripts on the server, the execution policy for it needs to be set to "Allowed". For this, PowerShell needs to be opened manually and the following script needs to be run:

Step 1: Install NoldusHub Docker Components

Docker is a service that enables operating system-independent operation and simplifies product updates. To install the Docker components:

1. Open the DockerDeployment folder in the NoldusHub installation files. Double-click the batch file InstallNoldusHub.bat. If a window opens with the request to click any key to continue, press a key on your keyboard.
2. Open the folder C:\Program Files\Noldus\NoldusHub and double-click the batch file SetupNoldusHub.bat. A message will appear that you need to restart the server. Press any key to restart the server. During this step the NTP Server is automatically configured.
3. Open the folder C:\Program Files\Noldus\NoldusHub and double-click the batch file InstallDockerCompose.bat. Follow the instructions on screen.
4. Open the folder C:\Program Files\Noldus\NoldusHub and double-click the batch file AddDefenderExclusions.bat as administrator. This adds folder exclusions for Defender Antivirus.

Step 2: Install NoldusHub

1. Open Notepad with administrator rights.
2. Choose File > Open and browse to the folder C:\Program Files\Noldus\NoldusHub to edit the batch file ConfigureNoldusHub.bat. If you do not see the file, select All Files (*.*).

The original ConfigureNoldusHub.bat file looks like this:

Where ********* has to be replaced with the Noldus internally known password. Once logged in, change the password to the license key of the user.

If You Have a Subdomain for NoldusHub

Note: See the guide Set up a secure connection for your subdomain for more information on subdomains.

• Change the field after ClientHostname and APIHostName to the subdomain name you specified in the Set up a secure connection for your subdomain procedure.
• For example, if you created the subdomain https://noldushub.mydomain.com:
  • Change the field after ClientHostname and APIHostName to noldushub.mydomain.com.
  • Change the field after CertPassword to the password that came with the certificate.

Your ConfigureNoldusHub.bat file should now look like this:

If You Do Not Have a Subdomain for NoldusHub

3. Change the IP address and hostnames in the file to the server's IP address and hostname. Write down the IP address for use in the following steps. See also the IP addresses topic.
4. Change the -CertPassword field to the password for the server. Your ConfigureNoldusHub.bat file should now look like this:

5. Change the -NumberOfParticipants value to the number of participants you want to run for the server.
6. Close the file. Choose Yes when prompted to overwrite the existing file.
7. Double-click the batch file ConfigureNoldusHub.bat. Follow on-screen instructions.
8. Open the folder C:\Program Files\Noldus\NoldusHub and double-click the batch file UpdateNoldusHub.bat. This will install or update the application. Press a key on your keyboard if you notice the installation process is idle for a while. This resumes the installation process.

The first time you carry out this step, it can take some time. Dependent on the speed of the Internet connection, it can take up to one hour. With an upgrade, it will take a few minutes.

9. Copy the certificate files (*.crt, *.key, *.pfx) to the C:\ProgramData\Noldus\Websites\cert\ folder. For details, see Setup the Certificate.
10. Open the folder C:\Program Files\Noldus\NoldusHub and double-click the batch file StartNoldusHub.bat. Press a key on your keyboard if you notice the installation process is idle for a while. This resumes the installation process.

If the server is restarted, wait two minutes between server restart and starting NoldusHub on any other device to enable all services to start on the server. If an error appears about Docker, wait a few minutes before starting NoldusHub.

11. To verify that all containers are started and running, open PowerShell and type the command: docker ps -a. Check that the status of all containers are up and running.

Step 3: Start and Activate NoldusHub

See Start NoldusHub.

Source: NoldusHub 1.7 Installation Documentation, Noldus Information Technology