LYNX-APP Installation for Windows

This page will help you install the LYNX-APP (LYNX Application Component) in a Windows environment. Follow the steps in order and contact email Series25 Support or your assigned LYNX support analyst for assistance.

See LYNX-APP Installation for Linux.

Java and Network Requirements

• Review Series25 Technical Specifications
• Ensure your target server for this installation is running a suitable version of Java.
  • Java 8, 11, 15, or 17 (32-bit or 64-bit) is currently supported.
  • Use Java 8 32-bit if you are installing the LYNX-APP component on the same server as one or more TCS Interface components.
  • Use Java 11, 15 or 17 if planning on encrypting passwords using Jasypt (see "Consider Encrypting Configuration Passwords" section below.)
• You may use the Oracle commercial distribution of Java (this may incur licensing fees) or the OpenJDK distribution of Java.
• Ensure your target server can communicate with your SIS database through the desired JDBC port.
• Ensure your target server can communicate with CollegeNET's LYNX WebServices ( https://LYNX.collegenet.com/ ... SSL / port 443 )
  • If your target server must use a proxy server to reach LYNX WebServices, this can be configured (more on this later).

Retrieve Installation File

• Prepare to download the installation file.
• You can either download it directly on the target server, or download it to a separate machine and use a file transfer to your target server.
• The LYNX-APP-win.zip file can be downloaded at: https://collegenet.files.com/f/e2802722d3c860d3/LYNX
  • Contact Series25 Support at support@collegenet.com for credentials.

Consider Deployment Options

• Consider two options:
  • Install the Production LYNX-APP on the same server as the Test LYNX-APP.
  • Install the Production LYNX-APP on a separate server from the Test LYNX-APP.
• If you install Prod and Test on the same server, you will need to install the LYNX-APP folder twice. Example:
  • C:\LYNX-APP-Test
  • C:\LYNX-APP-Prod
  • In this case, run through the instructions below twice, once for each application instance. You will need to update a wrapper.properties file for each instance.
• It may be advisable to update wrapper.properties for each instance even if they are on different servers, as this will result in more clear labeling in the Windows Services panel.

Copy Files

• Create a suitable installation target for the application. Example:

C:\LYNX-APP-Test\

• C: drive installations are common, but you may also use a separate volume if this is preferred. Example:

E:\LYNX-APP-Test

• Unzip application files from LYNX-APP-win.zip into the target directory.

Update Configuration

• Navigate to the ~\LYNX-APP\config\ folder.
• Open the wrapper.properties file with a text editor for editing.
  • Update the following attributes to match the desired instance name. Examples:
    • wrapper.console.title=LYNX-APP-TEST
    • wrapper.ntservice.name=LYNX-APP-TEST
    • wrapper.ntservice.displayname=LYNX-APP-TEST
• Save the file and exit.
• Open the application.properties file with a text editor for editing.
  • Update this file with values for your instance.
  • LYNX-url-prefix=https://lynx.collegenet.com/lynx-ws/sis/data/
  • LYNX-instance-id= (Contact Product Support for this value)
  • LYNX-username= (Contact Product Support for this value)
  • LYNX-password= (Contact Product Support for this value)
  • db-url=
    • Example Oracle string:
    • db-url=jdbc:oracle:thin:@//server:port/service_name OR db-url=jdbc:oracle:thin:@server:port:SID
    • Example Microsoft SQL Server string:
    • db-url=jdbc:sqlserver://server.school.edu:1433;DatabaseName=LYNX
  • db-username=
  • db-password=
• If you will use a proxy server to reach LYNX WebServices, configure this now.

Install LYNX-APP Service

• Launch the Windows Command Prompt (cmd.exe) using Run as administrator
• Navigate to the ~\LYNX-APP\bat directory (example)
  cd C:\LYNX-APP-TEST\bat\
• Run installService.bat
• Review output and ensure there is a success message:

  Service LYNX-APP-TEST installed
  Press any key to continue . . .
  

• Press any key to continue.
• Visit the Windows Services panel (Start >> Services) to ensure the LYNX-APP service was successfully installed.
• When ready, start the LYNX-APP service. 
  • If you receive an error message similar to the following, restart the server and try to start the service again:
    • "Error 2: The system cannot find the file specified."

• LYNX-APP may start correctly, but stop itself if there is an error, such as a network connectivity error.

  • Ensure the process is still running after a few moments.

  • If LYNX does not start correctly, check the ~\LYNX-APP\logs\ folder to investigate possible causes.

Review LYNX Dashboard

• If LYNX-APP starts correctly and continues to run, verify the LYNX Dashboard web page indicates "APP OK" and no errors are presented.
  • Example: https://LYNX.collegenet.com/<instance-name>

Consider Encrypting Configuration Passwords

• You may wish to encrypt the passwords in your application.properties file.
• Test any additional steps in Test first.