# Prepare your Linux environment for an archive install

This guide helps you prepare your Linux environment for an archive installation.

Archive installation includes a bundled Tomcat web application server.

For installation of the Pentaho Server on an existing web application server, see [Manual installation](/install/pentaho-installation-overview-cp/manual-installation.md).

### Process overview

1. [Create the Pentaho user](#create-the-pentaho-user)
2. [Create Linux directory structure](#create-linux-directory-structure)
3. [Install Java](#install-java)
4. [Install the Pentaho Repository host database](#install-the-pentaho-repository-host-database)
5. [Download and unpack installation files](#download-and-unpack-installation-files)
6. [Set environment variables](#set-environment-variables)
7. [Advanced Linux considerations](#advanced-linux-considerations)
8. [Prepare your Pentaho Repository](#prepare-your-pentaho-repository)

### Create the Pentaho user

Create a user account with administrative privileges.

You will use this account for the remaining steps.

1. Create an administrative user on the server and name it `pentaho`.
2. Verify the `pentaho` user can read, write, and run commands in its home directory.
3. Verify users can write to the directory where you install Pentaho.

### Create Linux directory structure

Choose an installation path.

Pentaho recommends this directory structure under the `pentaho` user’s home directory:

1. Sign in to the machine where you will run the Pentaho Server.
2. Make sure you are signed in as the `pentaho` user.
3. Create these directories:

```
<your home directory>/pentaho/server
<your home directory>/.pentaho
```

4. Verify you have read, write, and execute permissions for the directories you created.

### Install Java

Pentaho requires a supported Java version.

1. Check [Components Reference](/install/components-reference.md) for supported Java versions.
2. Download and install the supported JRE or JDK from the [Oracle website](http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html).
3. Set `JAVA_HOME` to your Java installation directory.

Example:

```
export JAVA_HOME=/usr/lib/jvm/jdk11.x.x.x
```

### Install the Pentaho Repository host database

The Pentaho Repository stores data used for scheduling and security.

It also stores metadata and models for reports.

1. Choose and install a database to host the Pentaho Repository.

Pentaho supports:

* PostgreSQL
* MySQL
* MariaDB
* Oracle
* MS SQL Server

2. Check [Components Reference](/install/components-reference.md) for supported database versions.
3. Install the database you selected.
4. Verify the database is installed correctly.

### Download and unpack installation files

Pentaho Server and Operations Mart are delivered as compressed files.

Download them, unpack them, then move their contents to the correct directories.

#### Download files

1. Sign in to the [Support Portal](https://support.pentaho.com/hc/en-us) using the credentials from your Pentaho Welcome Packet.
2. In the **Pentaho** card, select **Download**.
3. In the **11.x** list, select **Pentaho 11.0 GA Release**.

{% hint style="info" %}
You might need to select **See all \<number> articles** to see the full list of 11.x downloads.
{% endhint %}

4. Scroll to the bottom of the **Pentaho 11.0 GA Release** page.
5. In the file component section, go to `Pentaho Server/Archive Build (Suggested Installation Method)`.
6. Download `pentaho-server-ee-11.0.0.0-<build number>.zip`.
7. In the file component section, go back to `11.0.0.0-GA`.
8. Open the `Operations Mart` folder.
9. Download `pentaho-operations-mart-11.0.0.0-<build number>.zip`.

#### Unpack installation files

1. Locate the two files you downloaded:
   * `pentaho-server-ee-11.0.0.0-<build number>.zip`
   * `pentaho-operations-mart-11.0.0.0-<build number>.zip`
2. Unpack `pentaho-server-ee-11.0.0.0-<build number>.zip` into the `/pentaho/server` directory.
3. Unpack `pentaho-operations-mart-11.0.0.0-<build number>.zip` into the `/pentaho/server` directory.
4. Move the directory for your database into `pentaho/server/pentaho-server/data/<database name>`. Delete the others.

Use these directory names:

* PostgreSQL → `postgresql`
* MySQL → `mysql5`
* Oracle → `oracle10g`
* MS SQL Server → `sqlserver`

5. Complete the steps for installing Data Integration Operations Mart in the **Administer Pentaho Data Integration and Analytics** document before installing your database.

#### Verify directory structure

Verify the files are placed correctly.

Your `pentaho` directory should include:

* `pentaho/server/pentaho-server/`
* `pentaho/server/pentaho-server/data/<database name>`

### Set environment variables

If you do not set the required `*_HOME` environment variables, Pentaho might not start correctly.

1. Set `PENTAHO_JAVA_HOME` to your Java installation directory:

```
export PENTAHO_JAVA_HOME=/usr/lib/jvm/java-11-oracle
```

2. (Optional) If you are using a JRE, also set `JRE_HOME`.
3. Sign out and sign back in, then verify the variables are set.

### Advanced Linux considerations

Some headless server scenarios need extra configuration:

* A system with no video card
* A system with a video card but no X server installed

In some environments (especially without a video card), you might need both procedures to generate reports.

#### Systems without video cards

Add `-Djava.awt.headless=true` to `CATALINA_OPTS` in your application server startup scripts.

Do this before you start Pentaho Server the first time.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Startup can fail if any environment variable value is invalid. Double-check settings after edits.
{% endhint %}

Example:

```
export CATALINA_OPTS="-Djava.awt.headless=true -Xms4096m -Xmx6144m -XX:MaxPermSize=256m -Dsun.rmi.dgc.client.gcInterval=3600000 -Dsun.rmi.dgc.server.gcInterval=3600000"
```

If you create a service control script, add the same parameter to its `CATALINA_OPTS`.

#### Systems without X11

Chart generation requires X11 functions.

If you cannot install an X server, install `Xvfb` instead.

Xvfb emulates X11 in memory.

Install Xvfb using your operating system’s package manager.

### Prepare your Pentaho Repository

Once you finish preparing your environment, initialize and configure the Pentaho Repository.

Select the database you are using:

* [PostgreSQL](/install/legacy-redirects/archive-installation-of-pentaho-legacy-pages/archive-installation-process-archived-pages/use-postgresql-as-your-repository-database-archive-installation.md)
* [MySQL](/install/legacy-redirects/archive-installation-of-pentaho-legacy-pages/archive-installation-process-archived-pages/use-mysql-or-mariadb-as-your-repository-database-archive-installation.md)
* [Oracle](/install/legacy-redirects/archive-installation-of-pentaho-legacy-pages/archive-installation-process-archived-pages/use-oracle-as-your-repository-database-archive-installation.md)
* [MS SQL Server](/install/legacy-redirects/archive-installation-of-pentaho-legacy-pages/archive-installation-process-archived-pages/use-ms-sql-server-as-your-repository-database-archive-installation.md)


---

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