# Supported Platforms

An Avantra installation contains two components, each with a different set of requirements

## Java Runtime

Avantra is a Java application and so requires a valid runtime environment in order to function. This is the case for both the Avantra Server runtime as well as the Avantra Agent runtime however the JRE requirements for each may differ slightly. Please note that Avantra recommends the use of the Temurin JRE as provided by Adoptium from the Eclipse foundation (formerly known as Adopt OpenJDK) and this is the JRE upon which we perform our own mass testing.

| Avantra software is currently transitioning to use Java runtime version 17. During this transition you will be required to have certain components running under Java 17 and others under Java 8. Please read all release notes and upgrade guides carefully to ensure you are correctly setting up your environment during this transition. With the release of Avantra 24.X in late 2023, it is expected that all Avantra components will require Java runtime version 17.

| Before performing any Avantra Server or Avantra Agent upgrades, please ensure your Java runtime is at the latest patch version for your release i.e. the latest patch available for Java 8 or Java 17.

### JRE for Avantra Server

For the Avantra Server, we support the use of Java runtime version 8 for Avantra Server versions 23.x and below. For Avantra Server versions 24.x and above, you must use a Java runtime version 17. During the installation you can provide the location of your desired JRE or else the installer will attempt to detect a valid JRE installation.

Supported JRE versions for Avantra Server
Server Version | JRE 8 | JRE 17
--- | --- | ---
23.x and below |
    YES
    NO
24.x and above |
    NO
    YES

### JRE for Avantra Agent

For the Avantra Agent 23.2.x and below, Avantra supports the use of Java 8 only. For the Avantra Agent 24.x and above, Avantra supports the use of Java 17 only. Avantra Agent 23.3.x supports both Java 8 and 17 to facilitate a seamless upgrade to the new Java runtime.

Supported JRE versions for Avantra agents
Agent Version | JRE 8 | JRE 17
--- | --- | ---
23.2.x and below |
    YES
    NO
23.3.x up to 23.9.x |
    YES
    YES
24.x and above |
    NO
    YES

#### Upgrade path to Java 17 for Avantra Agents

Customers upgrading their existing installations from an earlier version are advised to follow this procedure:

The high level procedure can be seen in the following diagram:

- Bring your Avantra Server up to a minimum of version 23.3.x

- [IMPORTANT] Bring all agents up to a minimum version of 23.3.x using the built-in `Agent Updates` feature in the `Administration` menu. This is the only agent version that supports both Java runtime 8 as well as 17.

- Upload a Java 17 runtime into Avantra Server under `Administration` - `Agent Updates` in the new tab `Java Packages`. Note you will not see this tab if your Avantra Server is not at 23.3.x or above.

- Start by upgrade ONE (1) agent of a non-critical system to use the new Java 17 runtime by going to the `Status` tab and selecting `Select systems for a Java update`, select your system and select the new JRE you have just uploaded.

  - Once the Java update has completed successfully and the agent is functioning correctly (wait 15 minutes for all cycles to complete or force a full check cycle). Make sure to check within Avantra that the server is showing as running under Java 17 within 15 minutes of the update.

- Once you have successfully upgraded one agent, you can proceed to upgrade more. We recommend doing these in increasing buckets of agents in case you run into issues. For example, if you have 100 agents to upgrade then follow this approach:

  - 1 agent to check the process

  - 4 agents to verify the process

  - 15 agents

  - 30 agents

  - 50 agents

## Avantra Server & WebUI

The Avantra Server is supported on the following platforms:

### Avantra Server Operating Systems

This is a list of verified architectures upon which the Avantra Server has been tested and will function correctly. The server may work on other Linux distributions correctly as long as you have the GNU C Library (glibc) version 2.7 or higher installed along with the required JRE version.

- Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)

  - 9

- SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES)

  - 15

- Ubuntu

  - 22.04 LTS

  - 24.04 LTS

- Microsoft Windows Server

  - Windows Server 2022

| For the Avantra Server, only operating systems that are in general (not extended) maintenance by the OS vendor are supported.

### Databases

- PostgreSQL is the recommended database for Avantra installations, especially for larger management scenarios. Avantra supports the following PostgreSQL versions:

  - 16

  - 15

  - 14

  - 13

| Avantra previously supported earlier PostgreSQL versions, however they are now out of support by PostgreSQL and are no longer supported for use with Avantra. Please ensure you have a supported PostgreSQL version installed before upgrading Avantra.

- Microsoft SQL Server 2017, Microsoft SQL Server 2019, and Microsoft SQL Server 2022 (US English Language Version) are also supported for smaller deployments:

  - If customers have extended support for Microsoft SQL Server 2012, Microsoft SQL Server 2014 or Microsoft SQL Server 2016, these databases should also function correctly with Avantra; however we recommend using a later version of this database with current and ongoing support.

  - For large environments (> 1000 servers) we recommend considering the use of PostgreSQL as the database for your Avantra server.

  - For small environments, i.e. up to 20 managed SAP systems (including 25 application instances and 25 servers), Microsoft SQL Server Express Edition will suffice. However, there is a size limit of 10 GB for this database which will limit data retention capabilities.

| For Microsoft SQL Server 2017, it was advised to upgrade to a version in mainstream maintenance by the end of 2024.

## Avantra Agent

### Agent Operating Systems

This is a list of verified architectures upon which the Avantra Agent has been tested and will function correctly. The Avantra Agent may work on other Linux distributions correctly as long as you have the GNU C Library (glibc) version 2.7 or higher installed along with the required JRE version 8

- Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) on x86_64 and ppc_64le architectures

  - 7

  - 8

  - 9

- SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) on x86_64 and ppc_64le architectures

  - 9

  - 10

  - 11

  - 12

  - 15

- Ubuntu

  - 18.04 LTS

  - 20.04 LTS

  - 22.04 LTS

- IBM AIX

  - 7.1 or higher

| For AIX 6.1 we recommend using Avantra Agent version 21.11.501

- Microsoft Windows Server

  - Windows Server 2008 R2

  - Windows Server 2012

  - Windows Server 2012 R2

  - Windows Server 2016

  - Windows Server 2019

  - Windows Server 2022

| Windows Server 2008 R2 (32-bit) and other 32-bit versions of Windows Server are only supported by Avantra Agent from the 20.5 code line as this is the last version of the Avantra Agent that supports 32-bit architecture. This Avantra code line only receives security updates and will not support newer features, e.g., automation.

- Oracle Solaris (SPARC and x86_64 architecture)

  - 10

  - 11

| On Linux, you need to have the GNU C Library (glibc) version 2.7 or higher installed.