After you complete the initial configuration, you can set up Tableau Server to run on multiple computers. This is called a distributed installation, or cluster. Running a distributed installation uses additional ports on the primary Tableau Server and requires that certain ports be
available for binding during Setup on the Tableau Worker Servers. SeeTCP/IP Ports on page 330for more information. There are also additional requirements to be aware of when you run a distributed installation. SeeDistributed Requirements on page 40for details.
To install and configure a Tableau Worker Server:
1. Make sure you’ve installed Tableau Server on the primary computer.
2. Stop the server on the primary (seeTableau Server Monitor on page 142to learn how).
3. Download the Tableau Server Worker software from theTableau Customer Account Center.
4. Run Tableau Server Worker Setup on all additional computers that you want to add to the Tableau Server cluster.
5. During installation you will be asked to provide the IPv4 addresses or computer name of the primary server. Using a computer name is recommended.
If the primary has multiple network interface cards (NICs) enabled and you choose to enter IPv4 addresses, enter all of the primary's IPv4 addresses, separating each with a comma. The IP address(es) for the computer running the primary must be static, this applies even if you use a computer name to identify the primary (learn more).
If you have a worker running Windows 7 with Windows Firewall enabled, refer to the Tableau Knowledge Basebefore proceeding.
6. Once the Worker software is installed on worker computers, and with the primary Tableau Server still stopped, return to the primary server and open the configuration utility by selecting Tableau Server 8.3 > Configure Tableau Server on the Start menu.
7. In the Configuration Utility, enter your password on the General tab then select the Servers tab and click Add.
Note: Click the Discover button to automatically add any worker computers configured in step 5 (above) with the IPv4 address or name of the computer on which you are running the configuration utility.
8. In the next dialog box, type the IPv4 address or computer name for one of the worker computers and specify the number of VizQL, Application Server, Data Server, Background, and Data Engine processes to allocate to the computer.
By default, the data engine, repository, and gateway are hosted on the primary server.
Running these processes on an additional server, or moving them off of the primary server, is part of configuring for high availability. SeeHigh Availability on page 47for more information.
9. Click OK. It may take several minutes for the updates to complete.
10. Repeat these steps for each computer you want to add to the distributed environment.
When you're finished adding workers, click OK again to save the changes, then start the primary Tableau Server.
Database Drivers
The installers for Tableau Server and Tableau Server Workers automatically install drivers for Oracle and Oracle Essbase databases. If you plan to publish workbooks and data sources that connect to other databases, you will need to make sure that both your primary and worker servers have the corresponding drivers.
Workers running VizQL, application server, data server, or backgrounder processes need these database drivers. For example, if you have a worker dedicated as a VizQL server and another computer dedicated to extract storage, you only need to install drivers on the computer running the VizQL server process.
Server process
Server process
Requires data-base driver?
Background yes
Data engine (extract storage) no
Repository no
Gateway no
Reinstall and Configure Worker Server
You might need to reinstall one of your Tableau worker servers. To do so, follow one of these procedures. The specific steps you take depend on whether or not the worker you are reinstalling has data engine or repository components on it and whether or not these are duplicated on any other node in the installation.
Note: Reinstalling multiple workers at the same time could lead to data loss.
Use the following procedure to help you reinstall and configure a worker node that is hosting the only data engine or repository in the distributed installation.
To reinstall the worker hosting the data engine or repository instance
1. Create a full backup of Tableau Server. For more information, seeBack Up the Tableau Data on page 386.
2. Stop Tableau Server on the primary by selecting Tableau Server 8.3> Stop Tableau Server on the Windows Start menu, or by running the tabadmin stop command from the command line.
3. On the Start menu, select Tableau Server 8.3 > Configure Tableau Server.
4. In the Configuration Utility:
l On the General tab, enter your password.
l On the Servers tab, add the data engine and/or repository components that the worker is hosting to another worker or to the primary, and then save your changes.
For example, if the worker you are reinstalling currently hosts the data engine, add the data engine to another node.
l Data engine folder: ProgramData\Tableau\Tableau Server\data\tabsvc\dataengine
l Repository folder: ProgramData\Tableau\Tableau Server\data\tabsvc\pgsql
Note: If you do not confirm that synchronization is complete by comparing the folders, you may lose data when you continue.
7. Stop Tableau Server.
8. In the Configuration Utility:
l On the General tab, enter your password.
l On the Servers tab, select the worker you want to reinstall and then click Delete.
l Save your changes.
9. Start Tableau Server and verify that everything is working as expected.
10. On the worker:
l Uninstall the Tableau Server worker software from Windows Control Panel.
l Delete (or rename) the following folders: C:\Program Files\Tableau and C:\ProgramData\Tableau(\ProgramData is a hidden folder).
l Install the updated worker software.
11. On the Tableau Server primary, stop Tableau Server, add the worker back into the configuration, and then save the changes.
Note: The data engine and repository need to remain on at least one node while you are re-adding the worker.
12. Start Tableau Server.
Use the following procedure to help you reinstall and configure a Tableau worker that is either not hosting a data engine or repository, or is hosting a component but there is an additional node that is hosting the same component..
To reinstall and configure the worker node that is either not hosting a component or hosting a component that is being hosted on another node
1. Create a full backup of Tableau Server.
2. Stop Tableau Server on the primary by by selecting Tableau Server 8.3 > Stop Tableau Server on the Start menu or by running the tabadmin stop command at a command prompt.
3. Open the configuration utility by selecting Tableau Server 8.3 > Configure Tableau Server on the Start menu.
4. In the Configuration Utility:
l On the General tab, enter your password.
l On the Servers tab, select the worker you want to reinstall and then click Delete.
l Save your changes.
5. Start Tableau Server and verify that everything is working as expected.
6. On the worker:
l Uninstall the Tableau Server Worker software from Control Panel.
l Delete (or rename) the following folders: C:\Program Files\Tableau and C:\ProgramData\Tableau. (\ProgramData is a hidden folder so may not be visible.
l Install the updated worker software.
7. On the primary node, stop Tableau Server, use the configuration utility to add the worker back into the configuration, and then save the configuration.
Note: The data engine and repository need to remain on at least one node while you are re-adding the worker.
8. Start Tableau Server.