Installing Orchid Core VMS on Ubuntu 16.04 to 22.04 (LTS versions)

IPConfigure distributes Orchid Core VMS for Ubuntu through debian package files (.deb files). The recommended method for installing the package file is through GDebi Package installer. GDebi can be used either through command line, or through the Graphical User Interface (GUI).

The installation instructions provided for Ubuntu 16.04 LTS also apply to Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04, Debian for ARMv7 (armhf) processors, and Debian for 64-bit ARM (aarch64) processors. Please note, however, that there are different installation package files for Ubuntu, Debian (armhf), and Debian (aarch64).

*Orchid Core VMS can only be installed on a 64-bit Ubuntu operating system. If you are currently running a 32-bit Ubuntu operating system, the installer will return an “Architecture not supported” error and Orchid Core VMS installation will fail.

*Beginning with version 2.12, Orchid Core VMS now supports both 32-bit and 64-bit ARM devices.

*Orchid Core VMS requires Linux kernel 3.17.0 or greater.

*You must sign in to the computer as a user with “root” or “sudo” privileges.

*The Ubuntu 14.04 and 16.04 installers are different.

*-IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR UPGRADES: If you are performing a software upgrade, the installer will optimize the database automatically (by default). Optimization is important because it will improve the overall performance of the system, especially notable in larger systems with video archives greater than 40 TB. The optimization process may take a while to complete (and Orchid Core VMS will be unavailable during this time).
-Administrators have the option to disable the default optimization process by entering a custom command during installation. For important details, please refer to the Disabling Database Optimization topic.

1. Download the Orchid .deb file. You can find the latest version of Orchid Core VMS for Ubuntu 16.04, Ubuntu 18.04, Ubuntu 20.04, Ubuntu 22.04, Debian (armhf), and Debian (aarch64) on IPConfigure’s website at http://www.ipconfigure.com/download.
2. Once you’ve downloaded the Orchid Core VMS installation package, decide whether you want to perform the installation via the Command Line or the GUI.

Installing through the Command Line (Ubuntu Server)

1. Open the Terminal program (CTRL+ALT+T) and navigate to the directory where you downloaded the Orchid Core VMS installation package. (The package is probably stored in the Downloads folder.)
2. Unless GDebi has been installed manually, it will need to be installed by typing the following command: sudo apt-get install gdebi-core. Then press Enter.

It may take a few minutes for GDebi to install, depending on the speed of your system.

3. The GDebi command can now be used to install the Orchid Core VMS debian package. The syntax is sudo gdebi (_package-name_).deb. For example, if the name of the package is ipc-orchid-x86_64_21.6.0-systemd.deb, type the following command: sudo gdebi ipc-orchid-x86_64_21.6.0-systemd.deb. Then press Enter.

4. The system may ask for your Ubuntu user password. Type in the password and press Enter.
5. The system will then ask if you want to install the software. Enter Y for yes, and press Enter.

6. If this is a new installation, you will be asked to accept the End User License Agreement. After reading the agreement, use the Tab key to highlight Ok, then press Enter.

7. Next, the installer will ask you to confirm that you are the end-user and authorized to accept the License Agreement. Use the Tab key to highlight Yes, then press Enter.

8. Next, the installer will ask you to enter several software settings. First, set the Web Server Port number. By default, the web server port is set to port 80 (which is the recommended port for most installations). If Orchid Core VMS needs to use a different port, enter a new setting. Use the Tab key to highlight Ok, then press Enter.

9. Now enter the password you would like to set for the default admin account. Use the Tab key to highlight Ok, then press Enter.

10. Now set the directory for video archives. The default folder is /orchives. Enter a new archives location, if needed. Use the Tab key to highlight Ok, then press Enter.

11. Use the Orchid Core VMS server locale list to select the language. Available selections include the following: de (German), en (English), es (Spanish), fr (French), it (Italian), nl (Dutch), pt (Portuguese), and ru (Russian). Use the up and down arrow keys to highlight your selection. Then use the Tab key to highlight Ok, then press Enter.

The installation will complete automatically without any additional prompts. This process may take a few minutes.

The Orchid Core VMS services start automatically once the package installation is done, after which you can access the Orchid Core VMS user interface in your web browser. (Please refer to the Sign in topic in the Orchid Core VMS Administrator Guide for more details.)

12. You can automatically launch a browser to Orchid Core VMS using the link installed on your server:
    1. Click on the Applications icon in the lower-left corner of the screen.
    2. Click the Orchid Core VMS icon listed under Applications. (If you don’t see it, use the Search box and type Orchid.)

Installing through the GUI (Ubuntu Desktop)

1. Click on the Ubuntu Software Center icon, or use the Applications screen to search for it, then open it.

2. In the search bar in the top right-hand corner of the Software Center, type gdebi.
3. Select GDebi Package Installer (gdebi) (which should be the first result), and then click the Install button (if it is not already installed).

4. After GDebi has finished installing, click the Files icon to open the Files Explorer, then navigate to the folder storing your Orchid Core VMS package (.deb file). (The package is probably stored in the Downloads folder.)
5. Right-click on the Orchid Core VMS package, and click Open With Other Application. Then click on the GDebi Package Installer option and click the Select button.

6. Once the GDebi package installer loads, click the Install Package button in the top right-hand corner of the window.
7. You may be asked for your system password. Type it in, then click OK.

8. If this is a new installation, you will be asked to accept the End User License Agreement. After you read the agreement, mark the Are you the end-user checkbox and click the Next button.
9. Next, the installer will ask you to set the Web Server Port, default Admin Password, and the Archive Directory for storage. You will also have an opportunity to select the language for the user interface.
   1. By default, the web server port is set to port 80 (which is the recommended port for most installations). Update the port number only if Orchid Core VMS needs to use a different port.
   2. Enter the password you would like to set for the default admin account.
   3. The default folder for video archives on Linux is /orchives. Enter a new archives location, if needed.
   4. Use the Orchid Core VMS server locale drop-down list to select the language. Available selections include the following: de (German), en (English), es (Spanish), fr (French), it (Italian), nl (Dutch), pt (Portuguese), and ru (Russian).
   5. Click Next to continue. The installation will complete automatically without any additional prompts. This may take a few minutes.

10. Once the package installer displays an “Installation Finished” message at the top of the screen, click the Close button to close the installer and complete the installation. The Orchid Core VMS services will start automatically once the package installation is done, after which you can access the Orchid Core VMS user interface in your web browser. (Please refer to the Sign in topic in the Orchid Core VMS Administrator Guide for more details.)

11. You can automatically launch a browser to Orchid Core VMS using the link installed on your server:
    1. Click on the Applications icon in the lower-left corner of the screen.
    2. Click the Orchid Core VMS icon listed under Applications. (If you don’t see it, use the Search box and type Orchid.)