Upgrading and unbundling the Qlik Sense Repository Database using the Qlik PostgreSQL Installer

Mario_Petre · Mar 7, 2024 5:53:56 AM

In this article, we walk you through the requirements and process of how to upgrade and unbundle an existing Qlik Sense Repository Database (see supported scenarios) as well as how to install a brand new Repository based on PostgreSQL. We will use the Qlik PostgreSQL Installer (QPI).

For a manual method, see How to manually upgrade the bundled Qlik Sense PostgreSQL version to 12.5 version.

Using the Qlik Postgres Installer not only upgrades PostgreSQL; it also unbundles PostgreSQL from your Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows install. This allows for direct control of your PostgreSQL instance and facilitates maintenance without a dependency on Qlik Sense. Further Database upgrades can then be performed independently and in accordance with your corporate security policy when needed, as long as you remain within the supported PostgreSQL versions. See How To Upgrade Standalone PostgreSQL.

Index

Supported Scenarios
Upgrades
New installs
Requirements
Known limitations
Installing anew Qlik Sense Repository Database using PostgreSQL
Qlik PostgreSQL Installer - Download Link
Upgrading an existing Qlik Sense Repository Database
The Upgrade
Next Steps and Compatibility with PostgreSQL installers
How do I upgrade PostgreSQL from here on?
Troubleshooting and FAQ
Video Walkthrough
Related Content

Supported Scenarios

Upgrades

The following versions have been tested and verified to work with QPI (1.4.0):

Qlik Sense February 2022 to Qlik Sense November 2023.

If you are on a Qlik Sense version prior to these, upgrade to at least February 2022 before you begin.

Qlik Sense November 2022 and later do not support 9.6, and a warning will be displayed during the upgrade. From Qlik Sense August 2023 a upgrade with a 9.6 database is blocked.

New installs

The Qlik PostgreSQL Installer supports installing a new standalone PostgreSQL database with the configurations required for connecting to a Qlik Sense server. This allows setting up a new environment or migrating an existing database to a separate host.

Requirements

Review the QPI Release Notes before you continue
Using the Qlik PostgreSQL Installer on a patched Qlik Sense version can lead to unexpected results. If you have a patch installed, either:
- Uninstall all patches before using QPI (see Installing and Uninstalling Qlik Sense Patches) or
- Upgrade to an IR release of Qlik Sense which supports QPI
The PostgreSQL Installer can only upgrade bundled PostgreSQL database listening on the default port 4432.
The user who runs the installer must be an administrator.
The backup destination must have sufficient free disk space to dump the existing database 
The backup destination must not be a network path or virtual storage folder. It is recommended the backup is stored on the main drive.
There will be downtime during this operation, please plan accordingly
If upgrading to PostgreSQL 14 and later, the Windows OS must be at least Server 2016

Known limitations

Cannot migrate a 14.8 embedded database to a standalone
Using QPI to upgrade a standalone database or a database previously unbundled with QPI is not supported.
The installer itself does not provide an automatic rollback feature.

Installing a new Qlik Sense Repository Database using PostgreSQL

Run the Qlik PostgreSQL Installer as an administrator
Click on Install
Accept the Qlik Customer Agreement
Set your Local database settings and click Next. You will use these details to connect other nodes to the same cluster.
Set your Database superuser password and click Next
Set the database installation folder, standard: C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\14
Do not use the standard Qlik Sense folders, such as C:\Program Files\Qlik\Sense\Repository\PostgreSQL\ and C:\Programdata\Qlik\Sense\Repository\PostgreSQL\.
Set the database data folder, standard: C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\14\data
Do not use the standard Qlik Sense folders, such as C:\Program Files\Qlik\Sense\Repository\PostgreSQL\ and C:\Programdata\Qlik\Sense\Repository\PostgreSQL\.
Review your settings and click Install, then click Finish
Start installing Qlik Sense Enterprise Client Managed. Choose Join Cluster option.

The Qlik PostgreSQL Installer has already seeded the databases for you and has created the users and permissions. No further configuration is needed.
The tool will display information on the actions being performed. Once installation is finished, you can close the installer. 

If you are migrating your existing databases to a new host, please remember to reconfigure your nodes to connect to the correct host. How to configure Qlik Sense to use a dedicated PostgreSQL database

Qlik PostgreSQL Installer - Download Link

Download the installer here.

Qlik PostgreSQL installer Release Notes

Upgrading an existing Qlik Sense Repository Database

The following versions have been tested and verified to work with QPI (1.4.0):

February 2022 to November 2023.

If you are on any version prior to these, upgrade to at least February 2022 before you begin.

Qlik Sense November 2022 and later do not support 9.6, and a warning will be displayed during the upgrade. From Qlik Sense August 2023 a 9.6 update is blocked.

The Upgrade

Stop all services on rim nodes
On your Central Node, stop all services except the Qlik Sense Repository Database
Run the Qlik PostgreSQL Installer. An existing Database will be detected.
Highlight the database and click Upgrade
Read and confirm the (a) Installer Instructions as well as the Qlik Customer Agreement, then click (b) Next.
Provide your existing Database superuser password and click Next.
Define your Database backup path and click Next.
Define your Install Location (default is prefilled) and click Next.
Define your database data path (default is prefilled) and click Next.
Review all properties and click Upgrade.

The review screen lists the settings which will be migrated. No manual changes are required post-upgrade.
The upgrade is completed. Click Close.
Open the Windows Services Console and locate the Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows services.

You will find that the Qlik Sense Repository Database service has been set to manual. Do not change the startup method.

You will also find a new postgresql-x64-14 service. Do not rename this service.
Start all services except the Qlik Sense Repository Database service.
Start all services on your rim nodes.
Validate that all services and nodes are operating as expected. The original database folder in C:\ProgramData\Qlik\Sense\Repository\PostgreSQL\X.X_deprecated
Uninstall the old Qlik Sense Repository Database service.

This step is required. Failing to remove the old service will lead the upgrade or patching issues.
1. Open a Windows File Explorer and browse to C:\ProgramData\Package Cache
2. From there, search for the appropriate msi file.
  
  If you were running 9.6 before the upgrade, search PostgreSQL.msi
  If you were running 12.5 before the upgrade, search PostgreSQL125.msi
3. The msi will be revealed.
4. Right-click the msi file and select uninstall from the menu.
Re-install the PostgreSQL binaries. This step is optional if Qlik Sense is immediately upgraded following the use of QPI. The Sense upgrade will install the correct binaries automatically.

Failing to reinstall the binaries will lead to errors when executing any number of service configuration scripts.
If you do not immediately upgrade:
1. Open a Windows File Explorer and browse to C:\ProgramData\Package Cache
2. From there, search for the .msi file appropriate for your currently installed Qlik Sense version
  
  For Qlik Sense August 2023 and later: PostgreSQL14.msi
  Qlik Sense February 2022 to May 2023: PostgreSQL125.msi
3. Right-click the file
4. Click Open file location
5. Highlight the file path, right-click on the path, and click Copy
6. Open a Windows Command prompt as administrator
7. Navigate to the location of the folder you copied
  
  Example command line:
  
  cd C:\ProgramData\Package Cache\{GUID}
  
  Where GUID is the value of the folder name.
8. Run the following command depending on the version you have installed:
  
  Qlik Sense August 2023 and later
  
  msiexec.exe /qb /i "PostgreSQL14.msi" SKIPINSTALLDBSERVICE="1" INSTALLDIR="C:\Program Files\Qlik\Sense"
  
  Qlik Sense February 2022 to May 2023
  
  msiexec.exe /qb /i "PostgreSQL125.msi" SKIPINSTALLDBSERVICE="1" INSTALLDIR="C:\Program Files\Qlik\Sense"
  
  This will re-install the binaries without installing a database. If you installed with a custom directory adjust the INSTALLDIR parameter accordingly. E.g. you installed in D:\Qlik\Sense then the parameter would be INSTALLDIR="D:\Qlik\Sense".

If the upgrade was unsuccessful and you are missing data in the Qlik Management Console or elsewhere, contact Qlik Support.

Next Steps and Compatibility with PostgreSQL installers

Now that your PostgreSQL instance is no longer connected to the Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows services, all future updates of PostgreSQL are performed independently of Qlik Sense. This allows you to act in accordance with your corporate security policy when needed, as long as you remain within the supported PostgreSQL versions.

Your PostgreSQL database is fully compatible with the official PostgreSQL installers from https://www.enterprisedb.com/downloads/postgres-postgresql-downloads.

How do I upgrade PostgreSQL from here on?

See How To Upgrade Standalone PostgreSQL, which documents the upgrade procedure for either a minor version upgrade (example: 14.5 to 14.8) or a major version upgrade (example: 12 to 14). Further information on PostgreSQL upgrades or updates can be obtained from Postgre directly.

Troubleshooting and FAQ

If the installation crashes, the server reboots unexpectedly during this process, or there is a power outage, the new database may not be in a serviceable state. Installation/upgrade logs are available in the location of your temporary files, for example:

C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Temp\2

A backup of the original database contents is available in your chosen location, or by default in:

C:\ProgramData\Qlik\Sense\Repository\PostgreSQL\backup\X.X

The original database data folder has been renamed to:

C:\ProgramData\Qlik\Sense\Repository\PostgreSQL\X.X_deprecated
Upgrading Qlik Sense after upgrading PostgreSQL with the QPI tool fails with:

This version of Qlik Sense requires a 'SenseServices' database for multi cloud capabilities. Ensure that you have created a 'SenseService' database in your cluster before upgrading. For more information see Installing and configuring PostgreSQL.

See Qlik Sense Upgrade fails with: This version of Qlik Sense requires a _ database for _.

To resolve this, start the postgresql-x64-XX service.

Video Walkthrough

Video chapters:

01:00 - What is PostgreSQL used for?
01:19 - Different versions of PostgreSQL
02:38 - Prerequisites for upgrading
03:21 - QS Feb 2022 threshold
04:33 - Downloading the QPI Installer
06:00 - Upgrade process
09:54 - Verifying a successful upgrade
12:08 - Removing the old Database Service
14:16 - Resolving common issues
17:28 - Q&A: When is best time to upgrade?
18:05 - Q&A: Does the QPI Tool use the latest version?
18:27 - Q&A: Which versions should you be careful with?
18:55 - Q&A: What are the Do's and Don'ts?
19:44 - Q&A: What should we upgrade first?
20:28 - Q&A: How to we avoid having to restart the upgrade?
21:22 - Q&A: Can we upgrade the database only?
21:47 - Q&A: Is it possible to lose any custom settings?
22:31 - Q&A: How to tell which version QS is using?
23:35 - Q&A: What is the command to remove the old service?
24:12 - Q&A: What if the database is on the D drive?
24:50 - Q&A: Can the back-up be on ANY local drive?
25:05 - Q&A: Are old version of QS compatible with new PostgreSQL?

The information in this article is provided as-is and to be used at own discretion. Depending on tool(s) used, customization(s), and/or other factors ongoing support on the solution below may not be provided by Qlik Support. The video in this article was recorded in a earlier version of QPI, some screens might differ a little bit.

Related Content

Qlik PostgreSQL installer version 1.3.0 Release Notes
Techspert Talks - Upgrading Qlik Sense Repository Service
Backup and Restore Qlik Sense Enterprise documentation
Migrating Like a Boss
Optimizing Performance for Qlik Sense Enterprise
Qlik Sense Enterprise on Windows: How To Upgrade Standalone PostgreSQL
How-to reset forgotten PostgreSQL password in Qlik Sense
How to configure Qlik Sense to use a dedicated PostgreSQL database
Troubleshooting Qlik Sense Upgrades

steeefan · ‎2023-05-01

@Sebastian_Linser, I just know found out how to describe the issue. A user came up to me with an address such as this. They had it bookmarked to directly open a stream:

https://qs.company.sth.else/hub/stream/fb890468-...-f0c2d34c1416

Using that address, the browser would just show "Opening hub" and the popping circles without any progress.

If instead this address is used, it still works fine. The stream opens as usual.

https://qs/hub/stream/fb890468-...-f0c2d34c1416

Sonja_Bauernfeind · ‎2023-05-02

Hello @steeefan

I recommend posting this either in our relevant Qlik Sense forum or logging a support ticket if necessary. We will not be able to directly assist you with troubleshooting this in this thread.

All the best,
Sonja

steeefan · ‎2023-05-02

Hi @Sonja_Bauernfeind,

There is no need for troubleshooting. I just wanted to follow up to sth. I posted earlier and clarify that it's something completely different than I first thought.

Nothing to see here, please move along 😉

Take care
-Stefan

Sonja_Bauernfeind · ‎2023-05-02

Good morning @steeefan!

Alright! Moving along 😄

Have a good day!
Sonja

Roberto_Licciardello · ‎2023-05-04

Hi,

as described, I upgraded the PostgeSQL DB (Nov 2022 version of Qlik Sense) and everything worked correctly.

But now I wanted to install the Feb 2023 version of Qlik Sense, but I encountered a big problem: the upgrade is successful, but the Qlik Sense services don't start. In particular, the Qlik Sense Repository Database service does not start, which after the upgrade is no longer on the Manual, but on Automatic (Delayed Start).

Do I need to switch this service back to Manual?

Thanks.

Robert.

Sonja_Bauernfeind · ‎2023-05-08

Hello @Roberto_Licciardello

Before the upgrade, have you finalized the steps by removing the Qlik Sense Repository Database service?

See Finalizing the Upgrade/Uninstalling the old Database Service

I may need to recommend a support ticket.

All the best,
Sonja

john_oll · ‎2023-05-10

There seems to be one step missing for a cluster with rim nodes!
After doing the Postgre Update, further Sense updates may run into problems when trying to update to rim nodes.
To prevent this problem, on central node check the file

postgresql.conf in ..\PostgreSQL\12\data\

There is a line at the end of the file with something like

listen_addresses = 'localhost,central.customer.com '
In the case this does not list the rim nodes, you need to edit it and add the rim nodes (or listen_addresses = '*' might also work).
Otherwise the installer doing an update on a rim node may fail, and it might look similar to a firewall issue.
(I identified this fix with the help of https://community.qlik.com/t5/Deployment-Management/Rim-Node-Error-quot-Database-connection-not-reac... )

Valstar · ‎2023-05-10

Please help. $ character in postgres superuser password is causing a crash. details:

Upgrading an existing QRD to PostgreSQL 12.5
all went well, but it crashed in step 11 during backup creation on the postgres superuser password. from the logs i gather that it is because of the & character in my superuser password.

password: s&C@#Sxxxxxxxxx
log message: "'C@#Sxxxxxxxx' is not recognized as an internal or external command"

as you can see it interprets the & as a start of a command.
i cannot simply change the password. please fix or advice.

Sebastian_Linser · ‎2023-05-10

@Valstar which is a cmd prompt limitation where you have to past this as a command line parameter

you can add an escape character up front like ^& that will make the command prompt not interpret it as a special operation. The other and much easier way is to install it with Password123! for Postgres and right after the conversion you change the password to the one you want to have in the first place

https://community.qlik.com/t5/Official-Support-Articles/How-to-change-the-Qlik-Sense-Enterprise-on-W...

ALTER USER postgres WITH PASSWORD 'Example_Password';

best regards

Sebastian

Sebastian_Linser · ‎2023-05-10

@john_oll you old postgresql.conf file is copied over into the 12.5 installation, so if the rim nodes already had been whitelisted they will still be whitelisted in the 12.5 installation