View source for Fishbowl for Linux

Fishbowl provides a Fishbowl installer for Linux that can be downloaded [[Release_Notes#Download|here]]. The process for installing Fishbowl on Linux is more complicated than the Windows installer that the vast majority of customers use. The following documentation is provided to assist customers, but because Linux is not officially supported, Fishbowl Support will not install or troubleshoot Linux. Both the Fishbowl Client and the Fishbowl Server can run on Linux. Fishbowl integrates with QuickBooks Online and Xero, making it possible to run Fishbowl and an accounting package entirely on Linux computers, or on any combination of [[System Requirements#Supported_operating_systems|supported operating systems]]. The Fishbowl Server on Linux can also [[#Integrate_with_QuickBooks|integrate with QuickBooks Desktop running on a Windows computer]].

==Initial configuration==

The following steps only need to be completed when installing Fishbowl for the first time on Linux. These instructions were created using Ubuntu 18.04. When entering commands in a terminal window, the <u>underlined sections</u> need to be replaced to match the specific system.

# MySQL 8 needs to be installed on the Fishbowl Server. MySQL is not required if only the Fishbowl Client is being installed.
# Download MySQL from [https://dev.mysql.com/downloads/mysql/8.0.html here].
# If you are using DEB, the following instructions may be helpful. Additional resources are available on the [[Homebrew]] page.
# Open a terminal window and navigate to the '''../Downloads''' folder.
# Enter '''sudo dpkg -i <u>name.of.deb.file</u>'''
# Enter '''sudo apt-get update'''
# Enter '''sudo apt-cache policy mysql-server''' and verify that MySQL version 8.0 appears in the output.
# Enter '''sudo apt-get install mysql-server=8.0* mysql-community-server=8.0* mysql-client=8.0*'''
# Create a root password for MySQL and store the password securely for later use.
# Enter '''sudo mysql_secure_installation''' and answer the following questions:
#* Validate complex password? '''Yes'''
#* Remove anonymous users? '''Yes'''
#* Disallow root login remotely? '''No''' (optional)
#* Remove test database? '''Yes'''
#* Reload privilege tables now? '''Yes'''
# Log into MySQL by entering '''mysql -u root -p'''
# Once logged into MySQL, enter '''SELECT VERSION ();''' and verify that MySQL version 8 was installed.
# Exit MySQL by typing '''Exit'''
# Configure MySQL for use with Fishbowl by using a text editor to add the following lines to the '''/etc/mysql/mysql.conf.d/mysqld.cnf''' file:<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;'''lower_case_table_names=1'''<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;'''sql-mode="STRICT_TRANS_TABLES,NO_AUTO_CREATE_USER,NO_ENGINE_SUBSTITUTION"'''
# Restart MySQL by entering '''sudo systemctl restart mysql'''
# Install the Java 8 JRE by entering '''sudo apt-get install openjdk-8-jre'''
# Verify that the system is using Java 8 by entering '''java -version'''
# If a different version of Java is displayed, set the default to Java 8 by using '''update-alternatives --config java'''
# Download the latest [[Release_Notes#Download|Linux installer for Fishbowl]].
# Open a terminal window and navigate to the '''../Downloads''' folder.
# Start the Fishbowl installer by entering '''sudo sh <u>Fishbowl.version</u>'''
# Complete the steps in the [[Getting_Started#1._Install_Fishbowl|Fishbowl installer]].
# Enter '''sudo chown -R <u>username</u> /usr/local/Fishbowl'''
# Create a MySQL configuration file inside of the Fishbowl installation by entering '''sudo cp /usr/local/Fishbowl/server/bin/my.cnf /etc/mysql/conf.d/mysql.conf'''
# Restart MySQL by entering '''sudo systemctl restart mysql'''
# Start the Fishbowl Server by navigating to '''usr/local/Fishbowl/server/bin''' and entering '''sudo sh eve{{dot}}sh'''
# Open the [[Fishbowl Server Administration]] and [[Start_Fishbowl#Creating_a_new_database|create a new database]].
# When creating a new database or restoring a database, verify that the MySQL port is set to '''3306''' and that the root password matches what was entered when installing MySQL.
# Start the Fishbowl Client by navigating to '''/usr/local/Fishbowl/client/bin''' and entering '''sudo sh client{{dot}}sh'''

==Start Fishbowl==

Fishbowl can be started by using the shortcuts in the installation directory or by opening a terminal window.
 
'''Using the shortcuts'''
# Double-click the '''Fishbowl Server''' application shortcut in the installation directory. If a message says that the Fishbowl Server is already running, the user may need to be given permissions to modify files in the '''/Fishbowl/server/bin''' folder.
# Double-click the '''Fishbowl Client''' application shortcut in the installation directory.

'''From the terminal'''
# In a terminal window, navigate to '''/Fishbowl/server/bin/''' and type '''sudo sh eve{{dot}}sh'''
# In another terminal window, navigate to '''/Fishbowl/client/bin/''' and type '''sudo sh client{{dot}}sh'''

==Database backup==

A database backup can be created in the {{Module|Schedule}} or by right-clicking the database name in the Fishbowl Server options.

[[File:MySQL backup.png]]

The '''.sql''' file created during the backup can then be restored on the '''Restore''' tab.

[[File:Restore database.png]]

==Integrate with QuickBooks==

QuickBooks Desktop only runs on Windows computers. The Linux version of the Fishbowl Server can integrate with QuickBooks on a Windows computer, or a Linux computer running Windows as a virtual machine. '''NOTE''': If the Fishbowl Server is running on a Windows computer, these steps are not necessary. Alternatively, Fishbowl can integrate with QuickBooks Online or Xero, which don't require a Windows computer.

Complete the steps below to allow the Fishbowl Server on Linux to communicate with a Windows QuickBooks installation.

# Copy '''Fishbowl Nexus.exe''' from the Linux computer ('''/Fishbowl/server/bin/''') to a folder located on the Windows computer. Fishbowl Nexus must be running for the export to work. Placing the program in the '''Startup''' folder will allow the program to start automatically when the computer reboots. 
# Run '''Fishbowl Nexus.exe''' on the Windows computer. The '''Fishbowl Nexus''' icon will appear on the taskbar.
# Open the Fishbowl Server and the Fishbowl Client on the Linux computer.
# Open the {{Module|Property}} in the Fishbowl Client and double-click '''FBNexusURL''' in the search pane.
# Change the '''Value''' of the property from '''localhost''' to the IP address of the Windows computer (for example, 192.168.2.100) and then click '''Save'''.
# Open the {{Module|Accounting Integration}} and run the [[QuickBooks#Integration|QuickBooks Integration Wizard]].

You should now be able to export from the Fishbowl Server on Linux to the QuickBooks installation on Windows.

==Integrate with QuickBooks Online==

Because QuickBooks Online is web-based, integration is not dependent on the operating system. Simply open the {{Module|Accounting Integration}} and run the [[QuickBooks Online#Integration|QuickBooks Online Integration Wizard]]. If the connection link is not launching, then certain Linux libraries might be missing. To resolve this issue, open a terminal window and enter '''sudo apt-get install libgnome2-0''''

==Integrate with Xero==

Because Xero is web-based, integration is not dependent on the operating system. Simply open the {{Module|Accounting Integration}} and run the [[Xero#Integration|Xero Integration Wizard]]. If the connection link is not launching, then certain Linux libraries might be missing. To resolve this issue, open a terminal window and enter '''sudo apt-get install libgnome2-0'''