Install a Docker checkpoint

In this knowledge base article, we explain how to set up a Windows 2022 (or 2019) server as a host operating system and how to set up and start a containerized Docker private checkpoint. Uptrends will provide you with the necessary files. You’ll find more information about how to get a private checkpoint in our Docker private checkpoint article.

Before you start the installation, please check the requirements to make sure everything is prepared correctly.

Installation script

Uptrends provides an installation script that you can download from the Uptrends app and that will carry out the main steps of the installation, including installing and configuring Docker and Docker Compose, pulling the Uptrends container images, setting up a startup and an update task, and starting the containerized checkpoint. These steps are bundled in a script which is included in the .zip file you will be able to download for each of your private locations in the Uptrends app.

Warning: When you already have Docker Compose installed, Uptrends recommends using versions 2.18 or 2.19. The more recent versions have a critical problem related to network handling.

Check out the installation steps on how to use the installation script.

Installation steps

To install a checkpoint using the script:

In the Uptrends app go to Private locations.
(Optional, if not existing yet) Add a private location. The private location is added, by default including two checkpoints.
Click the name of the private location.
Choose the server operating system and click the Download installation zip file button.

Important: Use the download only for this checkpoint and download files for other checkpoints individually. The downloaded file is customized for the checkpoint that it was downloaded for. It is named UptrendsCheckpoints<name>.zip, where <name> is the name of your checkpoint.

Unzip the downloaded file in the place where you want to install the private checkpoint.
If you want to prevent screenshots from uploading to the cloud you need to make a change to the docker-compose file after downloading and extracting the files.

Important: Depending on your company’s policies, you might need to unblock all the Powershell script files (*.ps1) in the zip folder before running them. For more information, see the instructions on how to unblock files.

7. Open a PowerShell console in admin mode and run the script ./install-checkpoint.ps1 in the Uptrends (unzip) directory. This will restart the server once.

The checkpoints are now available for use. They appear on a monitor’s Checkpoints tab and can be selected. The checkpoints also show in the Test now dialog when running a quick test directly from the monitor using the Test now button.

Note that the script will configure a task that will be checking for updates of the Uptrends containers. This task will run once an hour.

Monitoring your private checkpoint

Changes will be made to your Uptrends account to assist you in the monitoring of your private checkpoint. The private checkpoint’s servers, firewall, and Internet connection all belong to you; therefore, it is your responsibility to make sure that the private checkpoint and supporting systems remain available. To assist you, modifications in your Uptrends account will be carried out.

During your private checkpoint setup, you will notice additional monitors in your Uptrends account. Please do not delete or alter these additions to your account.

In our knowledge base article How to use Private locations you’ll find out how to set up and maintain monitoring on your private checkpoints.