How to Install Windchill 13 with SQL Server 2022 - Part 5: Installing Services

Windchill is now installed but you are seeing all of these Java apps running on your taskbar.  We need to install Windchill, Apache, and Solr services in order to clear these up.

There are 6 typical services for a basic Windchill install.

1. Database
2. LDAP
3. Apache
4. Solr
5. Windchill
6. CAD Worker (Visualization Worker)
   1. We don't have this setup yet so we won't talk about it here.

The Database and LDAP automatically install services during their setup.  (SQL Server..., and OpenDJ Server).  I am going to show you how to setup the next 3.

Before you continue, make sure you kill those foreground Java and Apache apps.  You also need to kill Solr via the task manager.  If you don't know how or are too lazy, just restart the computer and it will all be done for you.

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Initial Steps

One of the most important tools you will need to know about is the Windchill Shell.  It is a command prompt shortcut with special Target and Start in paths.  As part of the Windchill install, you now have shortcuts to relevant Windchill components in your Start Menu.

1. Go to your start Menu.  Scroll to the Windchill folder.  Expand and create shortcuts for the Windchill Shell. (Right click -> More -> Pin to taskbar).
   1. If you ever lose this shortcut and need to manually make it i.e. you did something like a rehost and no longer have access to the shortcuts, follow the instructions in this link to remake it:
      1. https://www.ptc.com/en/support/article/CS158529

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Windchill and Apache Services Installation

1. Open a Windchill Shell
   1. Paste in the Windchill Service Install Command from below and change it to suit your environment.  We are going to call our service "Windchill".
   2. Push Enter.
2. You should see Build Successful.
3. Navigate to <Drive Letter>\ptc\Windchill\HTTPServer in the Windchill Shell.
   1. Paste in the Apache Service Install Command from below as-is.  We are going to call our Apache Service "Windchill Apache".
   2. Push Enter.
4. You should see Build Successful.

Windchill and Related Services Install Commands

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Solr Service Installation

1. ​Browse to <Solr install directory>\bin.
   1. Right click on install_solr_service.bat -> Edit with Notepad++.
2. Change the SERVICE_NAME variable to be Windchill_SolrServer.
   1. This is optional but I like to keep all the services close together.
3. Just so you don't forget, repeat the process with uninstall_solr_service.bat.
4. Change the SERVICE_NAME variable to also be Windchill_SolrServer.
   
5. You can either run the install_solr_service.bat script by double clicking on it or go to a command prompt or Windchill Shell like I did below and call the script.
   
6. You should see a message that is has been successful.
   

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Fix the Windchill Service Log On User

I don't remember when this started happening but Windchill gets installed to run as a "Local Service" user.  If you keep this setting, Windchill will fail to run.  Your options are to either:

• Leave it as is and give the Local Service user permissions to the Windchill and related folders.
• Change it to another user (most typical case as IT likes to use a custom service account).
• Change it to run as the Local System account.

Since this is a test server and I have no need or desire to complicate things or do extra work.  The third option is what I choose.

1. Go to the Services app.  You should see all three of the services we made earlier.
   1. Right click on the Windchill service -> Properties.
2. Go to Log On tab -> Check the box next to Local System account.  Click OK.

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Starting and Stopping Windchill Services in the Correct Order

The Windchill services should be started in the following order:

1. SQL Server (and all of it related services)
2. OpenDJ (or the LDAP you choose to use)
3. Windchill_SolrServer
4. Windchill Apache
5. Windchill

​To stop Windchill, reverse the order:

1. Windchill
2. Windchill Apache
3. Windchill_SolrServer
4. OpenDJ (or the LDAP you choose to use)
5. SQL Server (and all of it related services)

Do you really need to stop all the services just to restart Windchill?  No.  You can just restart the Windchill service.  You don't need to restart anything else unless you are having issues.  Give it a try.

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Testing if Windchill and Related Apps are Actually Running

Now for some tests.

1. You should be able to go to http://<your fully qualified hostname> and see "It works!" as soon as Apache is ready (~1-2 seconds).
2. You should be able to get past the login prompt at http://<your fully qualified hostname>/Windchill which will confirm that Apache and the LDAP are working.
3. If you get to a Service Unavailable screen, the can either mean Windchill simply isn't ready yet or there were problems starting Windchill.
   1. How long does it take Windchill to start?  Right now it takes about 93 seconds but YMMV.
   2. Give it a couple of minutes and refresh your page.
4. If Windchill, Apache, LDAP, and SQL Server are working, you will see your home page.
   1. I still can't prove to you that Solr is actually doing anything.  That will happen later on.

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Windchill Start, Stop, and Restart Scripts

To make your life a little easier, I am providing you with some sample start, stop, and restart scripts.  Make sure to adjust them to suit your environment.  Please not that I did not include SQL Services.  You typically never need to restart those but you can include them if you want a "complete script".  Just be aware of what other apps you may be affecting by restarting such services if the database instance isn't dedicated to Windchill.

Windchill_Start.bat

Windchill_Stop.bat

Windchill_Restart.bat

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Next Steps

Now that services are installed.  Windchill should be working a few minutes after restarting the server.  It is possible that you may need to set Windchill to be a delayed start since it is dependent on the other services running first but try it out and see how it goes.

​I will walk you through some initial configuration in Part 6.