Put the Center and print services in the right places.

Choose a build and installation path

Begin with the package and instructions supplied for your evaluation. Record its version and checksum. The paths below describe the current implementation reviewed on 26 September 2026; they do not identify a published release or a download location.

Try OpenLabelEngine

SQLite is the default Center database; PostgreSQL is configurable. Check the supplied package's checksum manifest and, for a Windows ZIP, its SIGNATUR.txt. Signing is a property of that package. The current packaging path does not establish availability of a signed MSI or a Debian package.

Windows: start from the supplied ZIP

1. Extract the package to its permanent folder, such as C:\OpenLabelEngine.
2. Open PowerShell in that folder and run the included script:

.\install.ps1

The default web address is http://localhost:8080/. Use -Port 8090 only if you need another web port; it does not change the Runner gateway. -OhneAutostart disables autostart and -NichtStarten sets up without starting.

With the default configuration, openlabelengine.db is in the program folder, while uploaded files and credential.key are under data. Keep both locations in your backup plan.

.\center.exe --version
.\center.exe --help

Linux: use the supplied image archive

If your build includes center-image.tar and its checksum file, verify and load that exact image:

sha256sum -c center-image.tar.sha256
docker load -i center-image.tar

For an evaluation on this machine, replace IMAGE_FROM_DOCKER_LOAD below with the exact image reference returned by the load command:

docker run -d --name ole-center --restart unless-stopped \
  -p 127.0.0.1:8080:8080 -p 127.0.0.1:9443:9443 \
  -v ole-center-data:/data \
  IMAGE_FROM_DOCKER_LOAD

Open http://localhost:8080/. This example exposes both ports only on the local machine and keeps data in a named volume. Container removal without persistent storage loses the installation's data.

For remote machines, configure HTTPS as described below, publish its port and the Runner gateway on the intended network interfaces, and set OLE_RUNNER_GW_HOSTS to the names and addresses the services will use.

The source installation guide describes this image configuration; it does not record a complete enrollment from a second machine for that image. Include that connection in your evaluation.

cd deploy
docker compose up -d --build

Make the addresses reachable and trusted

A service on another machine needs access to both the web/API address for enrollment and the gateway for its ongoing connection. Use OLE_HTTPS_CERT_FILE and OLE_HTTPS_KEY_FILE together for your PEM certificate and key, or place a correctly configured HTTPS reverse proxy in front of the web listener.

The Center can issue its own browser certificate when no certificate files are supplied. Enrollment still uses the service machine's certificate trust store, so that certificate must be trusted there. A browser exception alone does not establish that trust.

The Runner gateway terminates its own mutual TLS connection; a proxy may pass its TCP traffic through without terminating it. Enabling HTTPS leaves the HTTP listener active. Set OLE_HTTP_ADDR=127.0.0.1:8080 when HTTP should be local only. Configured local automation triggers have their own network requirements.

Complete setup and connect a service

1. Create the first account

   Open the Center and complete initial setup. There is no default password. Save the offered master-key export separately so stored credentials can be recovered with a backup.

2. Generate a service package

   Open Automation Services and its setup screen. Create a group, select the target operating system and supply the Center address reachable from that machine. Including the service binary requires that the Center has the matching artifact.

3. Install and approve

   Run the generated package on the target machine, then approve its pending enrollment in the Center. Follow the Automation Service guide for operating-system details and version distribution.

4. Evaluate one label

   Choose a printer connection and follow the evaluation quickstart. Record the actual result before expanding the installation.