binary vs archive instalation

[Daniel G.]

Like in simmilar question, we are also evaluating pros and cons of .bin and tar.gz installation of Jira and Confluence but for Linux.
From installation perspective, are there any benefits of using .bin installer over tar.gz?
Currently we are using tar.gz installation. Are you recommend switching to .bin installer and why?

[Shankar Asam {Appfire} · Accepted solution]

Daniel,

As explained by Ann in the previous thread you've mentioned, there are few benefits of using .bin installer over .tar.gz

Its easy and quick

No need to mention the home dir path in config files

No need to download and setup Java/JRE and mention the JAVA home in config files

Use by default ports or use custom ports without modifying the server.xml file

It installs the service script so the confluence and jira starts up automatically when the server boots up or reboots

Also, useful in case of upgrades

In case of using tar.gz - you will have to do the above tasks manually.

-Shankar

[Daniel G.]

Thanks, this is usefull. In addition, do you know are there any database related pros and cons with using binary vs archive installation.
Like DB connection, setup and so on?

[Nic Brough -Adaptavist-]

Both options run a bit of an install for you, just enough to get Confluence running.  Confluence then takes over, and runs a setup process.  This setup process is the same whatever installer you've used, and one of the steps in it is "please give me a database to work with".

[Daniel G.]

Thanks for explanation Nic.

[Rob Horan]

I'm a little confused.  Why does the archive option exist at all?

I'm having a LOT of difficulty configuring an installation on Ubuntu 18

[Nic Brough -Adaptavist-]

The binary installers are built on top of the archive and they're intended to make it easier for manual installs and upgrades.  The archives are more of a basic thing, better for people who want to script and automate deployments, or have customised installations - Adaptavist (and many of our customers) have processes that fetch archives and spin up instances automatically - the installers would be a nightmare to code these for.

[Rob Horan]

Thanks!  That makes a ton of sense.