Highlights of UiPath 2021.10 & UiPath Platform Configuration Tool

In the RPA and Intelligent Automation World, UiPath is a platform which seems to be competing with itself to be the best every day. And the same is evident from the New Version getting released half yearly and sometimes every quarter.

We are all aware that recently UiPath’s Latest release (2021.10). This all new version of UiPath Orchestrator has some cool and usefull layout changes like addition of a Header which remains visible on all pages so that you retain access to the following controls:

The user menu (b) and quick options (c).

Apart from the Layout changes, if I have to highlight other impressive features available in this Upgrade, they will be :

1. New Portal for System Administrators which facilitates a platform to configure all the system related controls at one place.
2. Robot Accounts for Unattended Use which allows an admin to setup a new account as “Robot Account” this eventually eliminates the need of creating dummy user accounts to run your unattended automations.
3. Ability to Develop Bots having cross platform compatibilty which gives you 3 options to choose from i.e. Windows Legacy, Windows and Cross Platform.

4. Unattended Automation with Starts in Backround option which when enabled, facilitates development of an unattended automation in such a way that it will not interfere with existing user session on the machine it’s running.

New Cross Platform Feature

There are various other fascinationg features which one can explore in UiPath Orchestrator 2021.10 Release Notes.

After exploring everything about UiPath Orchestrator 2021.10, let me assure you one thing, first thing that you will come to your mind will be to Update your UiPath Orchestrator and Studio to make the best use of the new features.

Since, the update is free with your existing license why not to make best use of the added features, it takes nothing but few hours of efforts to check the sanity or readiness of your existing infrastructure to accept the update. Rest, you are good to go with the upgrade.

Isn’t that Fascinating ?

What if I tell you there’s something more fascinating and by reading further your efforts in checking the readiness of the system for 2021.10 update will be significaltly reduced ?

Let’s see how UiPath Platform configuration tool can help you ?

UiPath Platform Configuration tool is a Powershell Script which helps you in checking the Sanity and Readiness of the system for UiPath Upgrade & Installation.

How to Download it ?

The Tool is bundled with UiPathOrchestrator.msi installer and can be found in the Tools Folder of the Orchestrator installation directory “C:\Program Files(x86)\UiPath\Orchestrator\” by default.

One can also download it independently from the link given below:

https://download.uipath.com/UiPath.Platform.Configuration.Tool.zip

Where to run the script if you have Multi Node Installation ?

In case it’s a Multi Node Installation, it will be enough to run the script on machine associated with any one of the node.

What are the Prerequisites to run the script ?

1. Powershell 5.1+
2. WebAdministrationModule

What does the script checks ?

Pre-installation checks :

1. Asp.Net Core : Checks if ASP.NET Core IIS module v3.1.x+ is installed and functional. If it’s not, the script will show you a message to uninstall and reinstall the Asp.NET Core Hosting Bundle.
2. CyberArk AIM : The script performs the check only if CyberArk is found in web.config. If CyberArk is not installed under “C:\Program Files(x86)\CyberArk” folder the user is prompted to add CLIPasswordSdk.exe in the UiPath.Orchestrator.dll.config file using Plugins.SecureStores.CyberArk.CLIPasswordSDKExePath key after the installation.
3. web.config Encryption : Checks if the web.config file is decrypted. If encrypted thee will be an error message shown by the script and you will have to manually decrypt the file to proceed with the installation. After the upgrade, most of Orchestrator’s configuration settings are moved to UiPath.Orchestrator.dll.config.
4. web.config locked sections : Checks if the <system.webserver> element contains any locked sections and if detected you need to manually unlock them in ISS.
5. SQL Server scaleout : Checks if SQL Server Scaleout is used. You are informed that during the installation Redis Scaleout is enabled.
6. Credential Store Plugins : Checks Compatibility of Orchestrator external credential store plugins target framework with .NET core runtime.
7. NLog Plugins : Checks that NLog plugins compatibility with .NET Core runtime.
8. FileSystem Buckets : Checks if the Orchestrator buckets root path is added in the allowed list in the config file for any version starting 2020.4. The connection string section needs to be available in config file

Post Installation Checks :

1. Checks Similarity of Orchestrator host name, Identity Config Orchestrator Url with ssl certificate subject.
2. Checks if the Orchestrator bucket’s root path is added in the allowed list in the config file. The connection string section needs to be available in config file.
3. Checks the Identity server token signing certificate: exists, can be validated, has the appropriate key size, has a private key accessible to the app pool user.
4. Inspect documentation page for post-installation checks for Orchestrator.

If any of the above checks is not valid, the script will output an error or an warning.

Some important Tips for smooth update of your Orchestrator :

1. Backup of your Orchestrator Database fully.
2. Backup your UiPath Orchestrator Configuration files such as web.config (this is often referred as UiPath.Orchestrator.dll.config in few versions of Orchestrator), appSetting.Production.json (corresponding to Identity’s and webhooks). Some of this files might not be available depending the version of the Orchestrator you are using.
3. If there enough space it’s better to have everything than missing something, isn’t it ? Hence, I will recommend backing up all of your configuration files.
4. Backup all the nuget package directories.
5. If you are using Insights, backup that as well.

Just follow the tips and you are all set to go with the update.

Happy Automation !!

Reference:

1. UiPath 2021.10 Release Notes
2. UiPath Forun