Open Source and Cloud Comparison
Please note that the overall experience for Essential Open Source and Essential Cloud differ significantly. While there are several differences, two main distinctions are:
- Data Capture: The Open Source version requires some understanding of the meta model, whereas the Cloud version provides easy to use editors that do not require this knowledge.
- APIs: The Cloud version offers access to a suite of APIs, enabling seamless data transfer in and out of the platform.
If you would like to discuss Essential Cloud/Docker contact us
Essential in a Box
A pre-configured single-user version of Essential. Ideal for users who want to review Essential Open Source prior to full installation.
Download Standalone (v6.19.10)
Release date: 7th June 2024
Notes:
- On Windows, install outside Program Files folder
- Not suitable for multi-user environments
- Depending on your desktop policy configuration, this may require administrator access to run
Multi-user Install
For production-ready installations where multiple users need to edit data at the same time.
Typical installation time = 3-6 hours
Follow steps 1-3 to install all the software pre-requisites and the Essential Components.
1. Install Software Pre-Requisites
External components required to use Essential
Name | Version | Description | Install Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Java Runtime Environment | Version 1.8 | Required to run Protege and Apache Tomcat | |
Essential Protege Ontology Editor | The platform for capturing the architecture model | ||
Apache Tomcat * | 8.5 or 9.0 ONLY | A Java web application server for running the Essential Viewer |
* Essential Viewer can be used with any Java web application server but the installer assumes Tomcat. Please contact the Essential Project team via the forums for further details of installing Essential Viewer with other Java web application servers.
Optional Additional Components
Only required when using the multi-user database version of Essential in production scenarios. We strongly recommend evaluating the standalone version of Essential before setting up the multi-user version.
Name | Description | Install Notes |
|---|---|---|
Database | Essential supports MySQL, Postgres or Microsoft SQL Server as a back-end database in Production scenarios | |
JDBC Driver | The relevant JDBC driver for the selected database |
2. Install Essential
Core components required for Essential
Name | Version | Description | Link | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Widgets | 6.7 | A set of custom-built plug-ins for the Protege Ontology Editor. | 6th February 2020 | |
Meta-Model | 6.20 | The main repository files for Essential. | 4th October 2024 | |
Viewer | 6.19.10 | A Java Web Application for publishing, analysing and reporting against enterprise architecture models captured using the Essential Meta-Model. | 7th June 2024 | |
Import Utility | 2.9.2 | A Java Web Application for importing existing content from spreadsheets into the Essential repository. | 7th June 2024 | |
Import Utility Example Configuration | 2.0 | An example configuration of Import Activities for the Import Utility. | 6th February 2020 |
Migration – Existing Users
Existing users can use the Essential Update Packs at the bottom of this page to migrate their repository.
Latest Release Notes
Details of what has changed in each version of Essential Architecture Manager can be found in the release notes.
3. Follow the Install Guide
Get Essential Working
Essential Architecture Manager can be installed in either Stand Alone or Multi-User mode and the Installation Guides provide instructions on how to install and configure the software components of the Essential Architecture Manager.
Multi-User Install
For installations where multiple users need to edit data in Essential at the same time. This guide walks you through installing and configuring a client-server, multi-user deployment of Essential for production scenarios.
Memory Settings
Check the recommended memory settings here. The majority of issues with install are due to memory settings being incorrectly set, so please read the memory settings page before you start.
Essential Launchpad
To get a number of key views working quickly, use the free Essential Launchpad, find out more about Launchpad here.
Next Steps
Useful links once you have Essential up and running
Getting Started Guide
The Getting Started tutorial explains how to open the Essential Meta-Model in Protege and begin using Essential Architecture Manager.
How To Guides
The how to page has how to guides for getting views to work and also how to populate summary pages.
Free Models
We have free models to download and import into Essential (via Data Import in Cloud/Docker or the update tab in Protege).
Training
Aside from the Essential University, we do offer paid-for online training models, which can increase your speed to value. Note the examples use Essential Cloud, so it looks slightly different, but the meta-model and views are the same, and 90% of the course content is relevant to open source. View prices here.
Essential Playbook
Playbook gives you pointers on how to be successful and where to start your initiative.
Meta-Model Reference
The Essential Meta-Model Reference provides definitions for the meta-classes and relationships that comprise the Essential Meta-Model, see the tabs on this page.
Support
Essential Open Source is a community project and, as such, is not supported with any formal SLA. Any questions or problems can be raised through our Essential Forums where we will do our best to provide assistance.
Source Code
Access the source code for Essential Open Source via our GitHub site. https://github.com/essentialproject.
Essential Update Packs
Required to update the Essential meta-model in Essential Open Source and Essential Docker. For Essential Cloud, these updates can be applied directly using the System Update feature. We recommend you read the Release Notes before installing updates.