Step 3. Install the MobileConnect Manager

The MobileConnect Manager is a dockerized application which you need to install on a Linux server, accessible in your network. It runs on Linux x86-64 (amd64), Ubuntu 20.04.x, the steps provided below are for this Ubuntu version.

A. Select your hardware

Minimum hardware requirements

  • CPU with 4 cores

  • Regular (not boost) clock speed on all cores at least 2.4 GHz

  • 8 GB of RAM

  • 200 GB of hard drive space

Recommended hardware requirements

  • CPU with 8 cores

  • Regular (not boost) clock speed on all cores at least 3.0 GHz

  • 16 GB of RAM (or more)

  • 500 GB of hard drive space

B. Install Ubuntu 20.04.x

You can choose between Ubuntu 20.04.x, Desktop or Server version, in 64-bit architecture.

Note

You can find the Ubuntu images here: https://releases.ubuntu.com/20.04/

The kernel version for Ubuntu 20.04 must be at least 5.4.0-33. You can check it with the command:

uname -r

If the kernel version is lower, you need to update it with:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
reboot

C. Configure the hostname

Configure the hostname of the Ubuntu server to any of your choice (for example “mc-manager”).

Make sure it matches your DNS configuration (see Step 1).

D. Install docker and docker-compose

The Manager supports docker version 19 or higher and docker-compose version 1.22 or higher. The installation steps below are for Ubuntu 20.04.x. First uninstall old versions with the commands below. They will remove existing packages or show a warning if such packages cannot be located. You can ignore the warning.

sudo apt remove docker docker.io containerd runc
sudo snap remove docker docker-compose docker.io runc

Install the desired docker and docker-compose versions with:

sudo apt install docker.io docker-compose

You might be asked to restart services during the installation, select “Yes”.

Note

Do not install using snap.

Next, create a docker group. If a warning is shown that the group already exists, you can ignore it.

sudo groupadd docker

Add your user to the docker group and reboot.

sudo usermod -aG docker $USER
sudo reboot

Note

For more information on managing docker as a non-root user, see here: https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/linux-postinstall/

Enable the docker service to start at boot.

sudo systemctl enable docker

Note

For more information about installing docker and docker-compose, see here:
https://docs.docker.com/install/linux/docker-ce/ubuntu
https://docs.docker.com/compose/install

E. Obtain the MobileConnect Manager installation package

First you need to create a MobileConnect account as described in Create an account.

Then register and obtain your Manager following the steps in Register a Manager.

F. Install the MobileConnect Manager

Create an installation directory with a name/path of your choice. We recommend installing as a normal user in your home directory.

mkdir /home/$USER/mcmanager

Copy the MobileConnect Manager installation package which you obtained in the previous step to the installation directory.

cp MobileConnectManager.zip /home/$USER/mcmanager

Enter the directory.

cp MobileConnectManager.zip /home/$USER/mcmanager

Extract the archive.

sudo apt install unzip
unzip MobileConnectManager.zip

Set your database password as local environment variable.

Note

The password must be at least 8 characters long and contain characters from three of the following four sets: Uppercase letters, Lowercase letters, Base 10 Digits and Symbols. If you use special symbols, make sure the password is enclosed with single quotes.

export SA_PASSWORD='MyPass123'

An environment variable is set, run all docker-compose commands in the same terminal.

Warning

Make sure you keep the password. You will need to export it for every call to docker-compose you do (for example when starting or shutting down the Manager or when upgrading the MobileConnect Manager in the future).

Install and run the MobileConnect Manager with:

docker-compose pull
docker-compose up -d

Wait for 3 to 5 minutes until the initialization of the MobileConnect Manager is completed. Open a browser and navigate to the URL you configured for your MobileConnect Manager, e.g. https://mcmanager.yourdomain.com.

  • The MobileConnect Manager web interface is using a self-signed certificate, you need to accept it to access. Starting from MobileConnect Manager version 1.2.0, you can also install your own certificate, for more see https://docs.sennheiser-connect.com/1.2/.

Note

Currently the Manager supports the Chrome and Firefox browsers.

Login with the credentials you used for registration at https://accounts.sennheiser-connect.com.

The MobileConnect Manager is now ready to use. You can proceed with connecting your MobileConnect Stations.