Installation

This guide shows how to install and connect the software used in the IDA Districts workflow: PostgreSQL with PostGIS for project data, QGIS with the Districts Modeler plugin for preparing spatial models and IDA Districts for dynamic simulation.

You can use a PostgreSQL server on your own computer or connect to an existing server managed by your organization. The screenshots below illustrate a local Windows installation. If your database is already available on a server, ask its administrator for the server address, port, database username and password, and skip the local PostgreSQL installation.

Contents

• Before you begin
• 1. Install PostgreSQL and PostGIS
  • Note for databases on a server
• 2. Install QGIS
• 3. Install the Districts Modeler plugin
  • Create an authentication configuration
• 4. Install IDA Districts
• 5. Connect Districts Modeler to the database and IDA Districts

Before you begin

Make sure that you have:

• permission to install QGIS, Districts Modeler and IDA Districts on your computer;
• a PostgreSQL installation with the PostGIS extension, either locally or on a server;
• the installation link or installer for IDA Districts provided by EQUA;
• the database connection details and the required access rights.

Keep the PostgreSQL username and password available for the QGIS authentication configuration. Use the Districts Modeler listing in the official QGIS plugin repository to check the QGIS version range for the plugin version you plan to install.

1. Install PostgreSQL and PostGIS

If you are setting up a local Windows database, download a PostgreSQL installer from the PostgreSQL downloads page. The current screenshots show an installation using the EnterpriseDB installer. Install PostgreSQL and add the matching PostGIS package using Stack Builder or another supported method. PostGIS must also be enabled in each project database that uses it.

During PostgreSQL setup, choose a password for the database administrator account and store it securely. You will need database credentials later when you configure the connection in QGIS. Complete the installer steps shown in the existing screenshots, selecting the PostGIS spatial extension where the installer offers it.

Start the installation and click "Next"

Click “Next” and leave all settings as they are until you see the following screen.

Please make a note of the password; you'll need it again when using the authenticator in QGIS.

Click “Next” and leave all settings as they are until you see the following screen.

Select the following setting.

Click “Next” and leave all settings as they are until you see the following screen.

Select the following setting.

Click “Next” until the installation is complete.

Note for databases on a server

If the database is located on a server, a host entry must be added to the pg_hba.conf file in the PostgreSQL installation directory. Here, you can allow access from individual hosts or entire local networks.

Access from a single IP address

Example: Only a specific client is allowed access

Host      all     all     192.168.1.10/32     scram-sha-256

Definition:

host → TCP/IP connection

all → all databases

all → all users

192.168.1.10/32 → exactly this IP address

scram-sha-256 → password authentication

Access from a local network (subnet)

Beispiel: gesamtes Firmen-/VPN-Netz erlauben

host    all     all     172.16.0.0/16       scram-sha-256

Definition:

All IP addresses from 172.16.0.0 to 172.16.255.255

Access for all hosts in this network

2. Install QGIS

Download and install a compatible QGIS release from the official QGIS website. Check the supported version range on the Districts Modeler plugin listing before choosing a release. Follow the QGIS installer for your operating system; the existing screenshots show the Windows procedure.

You could take the newest installer. Districts Modeler supports all versions of Latest Release 4.0 and later.

Start the installation and click “Next” until it is complete.

3. Install the Districts Modeler plugin

Start QGIS and open Plugins → Manage and Install Plugins. Search for Districts Modeler in the official plugin repository and install it. If QGIS prompts you to restart, close and reopen the application. The Districts Modeler interface should then be available in QGIS.

After reopening QGIS, the District Modeler should be available.

Create an authentication configuration

In QGIS, open Settings → Options → Authentication and create a new authentication configuration. Give it a descriptive name, select the authentication method shown in the existing Districts Modeler setup screenshots, and enter the PostgreSQL username and password for your project database. QGIS assigns an authentication configuration ID; select that ID later in Districts Modeler settings. If QGIS asks you to set an authentication database master password, follow the on-screen instructions and retain it securely.

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You must enter a name, select “Basic authentication,” and enter the database username and password - the password from the PostgreSQL database installation.

4. Install IDA Districts

Before you begin the installation and if you have not yet set up the LMS, please follow the instructions below: License Management System.

Download the IDA Districts installer from the link supplied by EQUA and run it. Follow the installer steps shown in the screenshots. If you need trial access, use the Free trial option on the EQUA IDA Districts page.

Start the installation and click “Next” until it is complete.

5. Connect Districts Modeler to the database and IDA Districts

In QGIS, open Districts Modeler → Settings. Enter or verify:

Save the settings and use the connection status or test shown in Districts Modeler to confirm that the database is reachable. A successful database connection verifies the database settings; it does not by itself confirm that the IDA Districts executable path or license is valid. Open or launch IDA Districts separately if you need to verify those parts of the installation.

Then open Settings.

Please enter or adjust the path to IDA Districts and PostgreSQL, as well as the database port and authentication ID.

If the database is connected, everything has been entered correctly.