Installation via Docker of Open Source BI Helical Insight

In this document, we will explain how to install Open Source BI product Helical Insight via docker method. Version 6.0 onwards we are also supporting docker method of deployment also which is also being provided.

Docker version ideally to be used in which we have tested: Docker v26 to 28

Docker Deployment on Windows – Performance Optimization using WSL

Overview

During Docker deployments on Windows OS, we observed that WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) — which is internally used by Docker Desktop to run Linux containers — performs significantly slower when the deployment is executed directly from the Windows filesystem.

In such cases, the deployment process can take 25–35 minutes for all containers to start and reach Healthy status.

However, deployments on native Linux systems such as Ubuntu complete much faster. To address this issue, the deployment should be executed inside the WSL Ubuntu filesystem instead of the Windows filesystem. This significantly improves performance and ensures deployment speeds comparable to Linux environments.

Recommended Solution

Follow the steps below to optimize Docker deployment performance on Windows systems.

Prerequisites

  • WSL2 is installed and enabled on your system.
  • Ubuntu distribution is installed in WSL.
  • Docker Desktop is installed and running.
  • Docker Desktop is integrated with the WSL Ubuntu distribution.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Phase 1 – Verify WSL2 Installation

Open PowerShell and run the following command to check installed WSL distributions:

wsl -l -v

Ensure the installed distribution is running with Version 2 (WSL2).

Phase 2 – Install Ubuntu Distribution

Install Ubuntu from the Microsoft Store if it is not already installed and launch it after installation.

Phase 3 – Create a User in Ubuntu

During the first launch, Ubuntu will prompt you to create:

  • A username
  • A password

Use these credentials to access the Ubuntu terminal.

Phase 4 – Create Deployment Directory

Inside the Ubuntu terminal, create a directory for deployment:

mkdir deployment
cd deployment

Phase 5 – Copy Application Files

Copy the extracted Docker application files into the directory created in the Ubuntu filesystem.

Do NOT run the deployment from the Windows filesystem path such as:

/mnt/c/Users/…

Instead, ensure the files are placed inside the Ubuntu filesystem, for example:

/home/<username>/deployment

Running Docker from the Linux filesystem significantly improves performance.

Phase 6 – Enable WSL Integration in Docker Desktop

Open Docker Desktop and enable WSL integration for Ubuntu.

Navigate to:

Docker Desktop → Settings → Resources → WSL Integration

Enable integration for Ubuntu.

Phase 7 – Verify Configuration Changes

Before starting the deployment, ensure that all required configuration changes mentioned in the README.md file are completed.

Phase 8 – Start Docker Deployment

Navigate to the deployment directory in Ubuntu and execute the Docker Compose command:

docker-compose up -d

This will start all required containers in detached mode.

Expected Result

  • Docker deployment on Windows becomes significantly faster.
  • Deployment time becomes comparable to native Linux environments such as Ubuntu.
  • Containers should start and reach Healthy status much quicker.

Important Notes

  • Running Docker containers from the Windows filesystem (/mnt/c/…) can drastically slow down container startup and file operations.
  • Always perform deployments from the WSL Linux filesystem to achieve optimal performance.

#Step 1: Helical Insight Docker Guide

This guide provides instructions on how to use Docker to start, restart, and stop the Helical Insight application using Docker Compose.

## Prerequisites

Ensure you have the following installed on your system:

## Setting Up Helical Insight with Docker Compose

We provide a docker-compose.yml file within the shipped ZIP package. Extract the ZIP file and navigate to the directory containing docker-compose.yml.

# Step 2: Update .env File

Open the hidden .env file located in the Docker directory where the docker-compose.yml is present.

Path:
Example : /opt/HIDockerImage6_518/.env

By default here in HOST_IP we will have an IP. Replace that IP with your current server IP or hostname (like shown below). Using ipconfig/all (for windows) or ifconfig/all (for linux) generally you can find your IP which will be put here.

Installation via Docker of Open Source BI Helical Insight

## Step 3 : Starting the Helical Insight Container

To start the Helical Insight application:

sh
docker-compose up -d
  • -d: Runs the containers in detached mode.

Once the container is running, access Helical Insight at:

https://ipaddress/hi-ee (this IP address is the same which we have put at Step 2)

## Stopping the Helical Insight Container

To stop the container:

sh
docker-compose down

## Restarting the Helical Insight Container

To restart the application:

sh
docker-compose down && docker-compose up -d

## Viewing Logs

To check the logs of the running container:

sh
docker-compose logs -f

## Updating Helical Insight

To update to the latest version:

sh
docker-compose down
docker-compose pull
docker-compose up -d

## Conclusion

This guide covers the essential Docker Compose commands for managing Helical Insight. For further customization and troubleshooting, refer to the Helical Insight documentation.
Reach out on support@helicalinsight.com

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