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Installation (Linux and Windows)

This guide installs the RD Analytics server so you can open it in a browser.

Linux is the recommended platform for production and everyday use. Windows 11 is supported via WSL2 when you must host on a Windows PC.

Path When to use
Install on Linux Ubuntu 24.04 — recommended
Install on Windows 11 WSL2 Ubuntu — supported alternative

After install, return to Getting started for sign in, license / AI-Models, and the Quick start.

What you are installing

Piece Role
rda-api Web UI + API (port 9006)
rda-engine GPU video analysis
mongo Database

Default install paths on Linux / WSL: /opt/rd_analytics/. Default URL: http://<host-ip>:9006.

Important

On Windows 11, install only through WSL2 Ubuntu as described below — not as a native Windows-only application.

Before you start

  1. Confirm hardware requirements and pick a sample PC configuration (50fps vs Pro).
  2. Prefer a Linux host when you can; use Windows 11 + WSL2 only if required.
  3. Get your release version and download base URL from your vendor.
  4. Use a network that can reach that URL.
  5. Plan about 50 GB+ free disk under the Linux filesystem (on Windows, that means space inside WSL — not only on C:\).

Install on Linux

Target: Ubuntu 24.04 (x86_64), with an NVIDIA GPU and a current host driver. This is the recommended deployment path.

Step 1 — Install the NVIDIA driver (host)

install.sh does not install the GPU driver. On Ubuntu, install a driver 590+, reboot if prompted, then check:

nvidia-smi

You should see your GPU listed without errors.

Step 2 — Run the installer

Replace 5.0.0 with your release version:

curl -fsSL https://dl.roaddatasystems.com/<product-version>/install.sh | sudo bash

The script typically:

  1. Checks architecture and permissions
  2. Installs required runtime components if they are missing (Ubuntu)
  3. Sets up GPU runtime support if needed (Ubuntu)
  4. Creates /opt/rd_analytics/data/…
  5. Downloads and installs the API, engine, and database packages
  6. Writes stack configuration and enables the rd-analytics system service
  7. On first install, seeds the database with the default admin user
  8. Starts the services and prints the URL

Step 3 — Open the app

In a browser:

http://<linux-host-ip>:9006

On the same machine: http://127.0.0.1:9006.

Email Password
admin@localhost admin

Change the password after first login. Then continue with Getting started — prepare the product (license and AI-Models) before the Quick start.

Upgrade (Linux)

Re-run install.sh from the newer release URL. Existing data and /opt/rd_analytics/compose/.env are kept when .env already exists.

Useful commands (Linux)

sudo systemctl status rd-analytics
sudo systemctl restart rd-analytics

Application logs are under /opt/rd_analytics/data/logs/. Admins can also download logs from System → Maintenance.

Install on Windows 11

Use this path only when you cannot dedicate a Linux server. RD Analytics still runs in WSL2 Ubuntu on the Windows PC.

You need:

  • Windows 11 (x86_64)
  • Administrator rights (elevated PowerShell)
  • NVIDIA driver installed on Windows (for GPU access from WSL)
  • Enough free disk for WSL + /opt/rd_analytics data

Step 1 — Install / update the NVIDIA driver on Windows

  1. Install a current NVIDIA Game Ready or Studio driver (590+ recommended) from NVIDIA.
  2. Reboot if the installer asks.
  3. Confirm the GPU works in Windows (NVIDIA Control Panel / Task Manager).

Step 2 — Prepare WSL (elevated PowerShell)

Open Windows PowerShell as Administrator, then run (replace 5.0.0 with your version):

irm https://dl.roaddatasystems.com/<product-version>/install-wsl.ps1 | iex

What this does (it does not install RD Analytics yet):

  1. Enables WSL2 and installs Ubuntu-24.04 (unless already present)
  2. Enables systemd in Ubuntu (needed for the application service)
  3. Configures WSL so it stays running when you close the terminal
  4. Sets up port forwarding so other PCs can open http://<windows-lan-ip>:9006
  5. Prints the next command to install the app inside WSL

Tip

On first-time WSL setup you may need to reboot, then re-run the same install-wsl.ps1 command to finish prep. If WSL already works, the script usually continues without a reboot.

Step 3 — Install RD Analytics inside WSL

Still from PowerShell (or after opening Ubuntu), run:

wsl -d Ubuntu-24.04 -u root -- bash -lc "curl -fsSL https://dl.roaddatasystems.com/<product-version>/install.sh | bash"

This is the same Linux installer as above; it runs inside Ubuntu and installs the RD Analytics stack under /opt/rd_analytics on the WSL filesystem (not under C:\ / /mnt/c).

Step 4 — Open the app

From URL
Same Windows PC http://127.0.0.1:9006
Another PC on the LAN http://<windows-ethernet-or-wifi-ip>:9006

Do not use the WSL-only 172.x address from hostname -I inside Linux for other PCs — use the Windows LAN IP.

Default login: admin@localhost / admin — change the password after first login. Then continue with Getting started — prepare the product.

Windows ops notes

Topic Detail
Port forward Scheduled task RD Analytics WSL Port Forward, or re-run Update-RdaWslPortForward.ps1 from the release
Localhost only install-wsl.ps1 -SkipPortForward if you do not need LAN access
Keep WSL awake Configured by install-wsl.ps1 via .wslconfig idle timeouts
GPU Windows NVIDIA driver; GPU runtime support inside Ubuntu is set up by install.sh

After installation checklist

  • [ ] Browser opens http://…:9006 and shows the login page
  • [ ] You can sign in as admin@localhost
  • [ ] You changed the default password
  • [ ] Under System → Licensing, activate your license if required
  • [ ] Under System → AI-Models, enable the models you need and wait until status is ACTIVE (first enable may COMPILING)
  • [ ] Follow the Quick start with a sample video