Exsys® Corvid Install Instructions

(Read Completely Before Installing)

System Requirements
• Microsoft Windows 7, Windows 8, XP
• Microsoft Internet Explorer ver. 5 or higher
• 150 MB Free Disk Space
• Minimum Screen Resolution: 1024 x 768 with Installing Exsys Corvid
standard fonts or 1152 x 864 with large fonts
Make sure you are logged in as Administrator and
Installing Exsys Corvid requires several steps to also have system administrator privileges. You will not
install the other underlying software that Corvid uses. be able to successfully complete the install without
When you first start Corvid, it will lead you through this Administrator level privileges.
process .
To install Exsys Corvid, double click on the “Setup”
Starting with Exsys Corvid v6, a “CorvidProjects” folder program icon.
approach is used to organize and edit your Corvid
expert system projects. This is different from earlier This will start the install program.
versions up v5.3 where projects could be kept in any
location, or Corvid v5.4 where projects had to be built in This is a typical MS Windows install that will ask you to
Tomcat’s webapps folder. The new approach is much accept the license, enter a name and organization.
easier to install and use.

Also starting with Corvid v6, the Corvid install process

installs Exsys Corvid, Apache Tomcat and Corvid
servlet programs. This greatly simplifies the earlier
process where there needed to be separate downloads
for Apache Tomcat and the servlets needed to be
copied manually.

Moving to Corvid v6 from Earlier Versions of

Corvid
If you are moving to Corvid v6 from an earlier version of
Corvid

1. If you installed Apache Tomcat locally:

- IMPORTANT: Make a backup copy of

the current Tomcat folder (This will have
Corvid system files you need later)
- Uninstall your current Apache Tomcat
2. Follow the Corvid v6 install instructions.
It will by default install Corvid to:
Program Files\Exsys\Corvid
or (depending on your version on Windows)
Program Files (x86)\Exsys\Corvid

3. Open the Corvid v6 Project Manager and It is strongly recommended that you use this default
move any systems you built with the earlier location for the install.
version into the CorvidProject folder.

Corvid v5.4 implemented changes in where

systems were located and how they were run.
This was due to changes in Java the
prevented applets from running the way they
had done previously. This required installing
Apache Tomcat and building systems in the
Tomcat webapps folder. This is no longer
required in Corvid v6, and while Tomcat is still
used, the interactions with Tomcat are
handled automatically and invisibly.

Exsys Corvid Installation! 1

When the install is done, you will see the Install
completed window.
Just click “Finish” and Exsys Corvid will automatically
start for the license activation and configuration.
First you will see the Exsys Corvid splash screen. This
will go to the next screen in a few seconds, or click on it
to make it change immediately.
The next screen is the License Activation screen. By
default, Corvid installs set to run for 30 days and allow
only systems of 150 nodes. These settings are
changed by entering an Activation Code.
Exsys Corvid Installation!
If You Purchased Exsys Corvid:
(Only do this if you have already purchased a
Corvid license)
If you have purchased an Exsys Corvid license:
1. Click the “Send Info” button.
2. Accept the License terms.
3. Fill out the Registration form and send it to
info@exsys.com
4. Once Exsys verifies the purchase, an Activation
Code will be emailed to you. Activation Codes are
generated during normal business hours, so there
may be some delay.
5. While you are waiting for your Activation Code to
be sent back to you, you can continue configuring
and using Corvid by clicking the “Continue without
Activation” button.
Evaluating Corvid
If you are evaluating Corvid or have not purchased a
license, just click the “Continue without Activation”
button. Corvid will run for 30 days and allow systems to
be built of up to 150 nodes. This is a reasonably small
system, but allows running the Corvid tutorials and
building many types of sample systems.
Academic Use in a Class
If your professor has given you a “Pre-approved
Activation Code”, make sure you are online, enter the
code in the Activation Code edit box and click the
“Register” button. This will convert your copy of Corvid
to run for 120 days and allow 250 node systems.
If you are just using the 30 day / 150 node “Demo”
version for the class, just click the “Continue without
Activation” button.
Configuring Exsys Corvid
When Corvid first starts, it displays the Configure
screen for setting up your CorvidProjects folder, Java,
Apache Tomcat and the Exsys Servlets. This is a
simple 4 step process. Corvid helps you with each step
and checks that it was successfully done. All of the
configuration steps do not need to be done at this time -
though that is recommended. However, you will not be
able to run and test the Corvid systems you build until
all 4 configuration steps are completed.
The Configuration steps need to be done in order. The
bar at the top of the window reminds you what step you
need to do.
1. Select a CorvidProjects Folder
Exsys Corvid v6 and higher organize all of your Corvid
expert system projects in a “CorvidProjects” folder. If
you were using a version of Corvid prior to v6, it will also
help you move your older systems into the new
CorvidProjects folder.
2
 Selecting an Existing CorvidProjects Folder
Instead of creating a new CorvidProjects folder you can
select an existing one. This is done when:

1. A CorvidProjects folder was moved to the PC

from another PC running Corvid.
2. The location of the CorvidProjects folder was
moved to a different location.

Click the “Select Existing CorvidProjects Folder” button

and browse to select the CorvidProjects folder you want
to use. In this case, select the actual “CorvidProjects”
folder - not the folder that holds it.

It is legal to have multiple CorvidProject folders and

The “CorvidProjects” folder is just a normal folder and
can be located anywhere on your PC that you prefer
and can write to. Some typical locations are the root
directory of your hard disk, your Documents folder, a
folder in your User folder. While it can be put in your
“Program Files” or “Program Files(x86)” folder this is
not recommended since generally it will require a
higher level login (e.g. Administrator) to write files in this
area.
switch between them. This can be used to organize
groups of systems, clients, etc. However, if you only
have a few Corvid systems, it is generally better to
keep them all in the same CorvidProjects folder.
2. Install Java
The Exsys Corvid Runtime programs are based on
Java. Many PCs already have Java installed. Corvid
will check to see if your PC has Java installed. If it
finds it, it will move on to step #3 and this section on
installing Java can be skipped.

The location of the CorvidProjects folder can be moved If it does not find Java, it will tell you.
later if you change your mind, so don’t worry too much
about the location you select.

Unless you have moved a CorvidProjects folder from

another PC or moved an existing folder, click the “Create
CorvidProjects” Folder button.

This will open a

window for selecting
a FOLDER. The
CorvidProjects folder
will be created in the
folder selected. Do
NOT create a new
folder named
“CorvidProjects” -
Corvid will do that
***If you need to install Java, click the “Install Java”
automatically. Just
button. This will open a browser window and go to the
select the folder you
java.com site to download Java. You need to be online
would like the
for this step.
CorvidProjects folder
to be created in.

Once you select the location for the CorvidProjects

folder, the first step in the Configuration window will
change to green and you can move on to the next step.

Exsys Corvid Installation! 3

Click the “Free Java Download” button. (Note, this After a few install screens, you should get to the
screen changes frequently, so it may not look like the “Successful Install” screen.
illustration, but should have a “Free Java Download”
button somewhere)

Java determines your operating system and displays

the window to download the version of Java correct for
your PC.

Click the “Agree and Start Free Download” button.

Select that you want to RUN the install and follow the
install instructions.

Java then opens a test URL to make sure Java is

working in your browser.

You should click the “Agree and Continue” button. You

will also have to click the “Enable” button to allow your
browser to use Java.

Accept the Java download defaults for where to install

it. The one exception is the “Ask” Add-on. This is not
needed by Corvid. If you want to add it, it will not cause
any problem for Corvid, but it is not required and can be
unselected if you choose.

At this point, your browser will ask you if you want to

allow a Java Applet to run. (For some reason,
currently, this is called the Java Uninstall Applet” -
which seems like an odd name since it does not
uninstall Java)

Click the “Run” button.

Exsys Corvid Installation! 4

You should see the “Congratulations” screen indicating Click the “OK- Install Apache Tomcat” button. This will
that Java was successfully installed. open the Tomcat Install program.

The Tomcat license will be displayed, followed by

several screens with install and configuration options.

Close the Browser window and return to the Exsys

Corvid Configuration window.

3. Install Apache Tomcat

The next step is to install Apache Tomcat. The Tomcat
install is included in the Exsys Corvid setup and can be
directly installed without being online.

Click the “Install Tomcat” button.

Just click “Next” without making any changes to

settings, options selected or locations. You will get to
the Install window.

The most important thing to remember when

installing Apache Tomcat locally for Corvid to use
is DO NOT CHANGE THE DEFAULTS.
Click “Install” and wait awhile while it does the install.
Corvid will remind you of this.

Tomcat is a very flexible and powerful server program

with many options. When used for a true online server,
the various options can be used to fine tune it to a
specific use. However, for Corvid’s use the defaults will
work and ARE EXPECTED. If they are changed, you
will almost certainly have problems later when trying to
run Corvid systems.

Exsys Corvid Installation! 5

When you get to the “Completing” window, leave the 4. Install the Exsys Servlets
default “Run Apache Tomcat” and “Show Readme” The Configuration window should now have the first 3
selected and click “Finish”. install step green. The last step is to deploy the Exsys
Servlets using Apache Tomcat.

Click the “Deploy Servlets” button.

That will have installed Tomcat.

You can close the “Readme” widow that will open.

Return to the Exsys Corvid Configuration window. If you

want to confirm that Tomcat was installed correctly, click Corvid will determine where to install the servlets
the “Test Tomcat” button. automatically, so there is nothing else to do.

The install and deployment can take up to 60 seconds.

The step #4 message will change to a blue “Wait”

message. This will soon change to a green “Installed”
message. If there is any problem Corvid will report it.

Once the Servlet step changes to green, you can test

the main Corvid servlet by clicking the “Test Servlet
Runtime” button below the “Deploy” button. This will
open a browser window with the massage that the
Corvid Servlet is installed and running.

This will check that Tomcat is running and open a

browser window with the specified local Tomcat URL.
This browser window should display the Tomcat
welcome screen. (If it does not, either Tomcat is not
running or the local Tomcat URL is not correct. The
Tomcat URL should virtually always be the:

“http://localhost:8080”

set automatically by Corvid. If the Tomcat install

defaults were not changed, this will be the correct URL.

Close the browser window and return to the Exsys

Corvid Configuration window.

Exsys Corvid Installation! 6

Configuration Done
That should have made all the Configuration steps
green.
You can click “Done” and start using Exsys Corvid.
2. In your “Program Files” or “Program Files (x86)”
folder you will find a folder named “Apache
Software Foundation”. Right click on this folder
and select “Properties”.

3. This will open

the Properties
window for the
You can optionally change the browser to use when folder. On the
you run systems. By default this is set to Internet “General” tab,
Explorer since that is always on any Windows machine. click the “Read-
only” attribute to
If you want to change this to some other browser such make sure it is
as Firefox, click the “Browse” button next to the UNSELECTED.
Browser edit box and select the browser you wish to
use.

Tomcat Security Settings

Exsys Corvid needs to directly write files into the
Apache Tomcat webapps folder to run systems. On
some systems, default Windows security settings may
block this, making it impossible to run Corvid systems
during development. Generally this is not a problem
with Windows XP, but is when using Windows 7 or 8.

When a Corvid system is run using the local install of 4. Go to the

Tomcat, it checks to see if it can successfully write the “Security” tab
files to Tomcat’s webapps folder. If it cannot, it will and click the
notify you by displaying a warning. If you see this, you “Edit” button.
should change the security settings. If you prefer to do This will open
this proactively, it can be done now. another window
for changing the
First check that Tomcat is correctly installed. Click the security
“Configuration” menu option under the “Window” menu. settings.
It should show that all configuration step have been
complete. Click the Test Tomcat and Test Servlets
buttons to verify the installation.

If the install and configuration is complete, the issue is

probably the Tomcat security settings.

Fortunately it is easy to change the Tomcat security

settings to fix this problem.

1. If Tomcat is running, stop Tomcat with the “Monitor

Tomcat” program.

Exsys Corvid Installation! 7

5. Click the “CREATOR OWNER” item in the top list 7. Select to apply the changes to the folder and
to select it. This will let you change the settings subfolders. Click OK.
below. Under “Allow”, click the “Full Control”
checkbox. This will automatically check the boxes
under it.

8. Shutdown and restart your computer. Restart

Tomcat and open Corvid.

Now Corvid should be able to write to the Tomcat folder

and run systems.

6. Click the “Users” item in the top list to change its

settings. Again, under “Allow”, click the “Full
Control” checkbox. This will automatically check
the boxes under it. Then Click “OK” to close the
edit window and then click “OK” again to close the
main Properties widow.

If you need technical support:

email: support@exsys.com
(Note: You will need to provide your Exsys Corvid serial
number.)

If you have any questions:

Tel: +1(505)563.5987
Fax +1(505)563.5501
email: info@exsys.com

Exsys Inc.
6565 Americas Parkway NE, Suite 200, Albuquerque,
NM 87110 U.S.A. www.exsys.com

Exsys Corvid Installation! 8