DABO AI Installation Guide (DABO-Setup)

Start here — 6 steps

DABO AI runs entirely on your company server: the AI model, documents and chat history stay on your machine and are never sent out. The DABO-Setup installer does all the technical work (Linux environment, Docker, graphics driver, AI model download). You only click a few buttons and answer 3 questions: where to store data, which AI model, and which address staff will use.

1. Check the machine meets the requirements and do the 5 preparation steps (about 10 minutes).
2. Run the installer for your OS: Windows · Linux · macOS.
3. Answer the installer’s 3 questions (pictures for each step below).
4. The browser opens DABO → create the first ADMIN account.
5. Activate your license (not needed for Free).
6. Follow the post-install checklist: staff accounts, documents, automatic backups…

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Is your machine powerful enough?

DABO needs a computer with an NVIDIA graphics card (GPU) to run the AI — like a gaming PC or graphics workstation. The more card memory (VRAM), the smarter the AI model it can run.

How to check your graphics card on Windows

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
2. Open the Performance tab → click GPU. The card name is at the top right (e.g. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090); Dedicated GPU memory is the VRAM (e.g. 24 GB).
3. Compare with the table below — the installer also recommends a model automatically.

Which NVIDIA cards does DABO detect?

• Every NVIDIA card on Windows and Linux, from GeForce GTX 900 to RTX 50, Quadro, RTX A / Ada / PRO Blackwell and data-center cards Tesla P40 / P100 / V100 / T4, A2 – A100, L4 / L40S, H100 / H200, B200. Setup reads the card’s chip generation rather than only its name, so cards released later are recognised too.
• Ampere generation or newer (RTX 30 / 40 / 50, RTX A / Ada / PRO, A10, A40, A100, L4, L40S, H100, H200, B200…) with enough VRAM: runs the main AI engine — the fastest.
• Older cards (GTX 900 – 16, RTX 20, Quadro P / RTX, Tesla P40 / P100 / V100 / T4) or 8 – 12 GB cards: run the compatibility AI engine — all features, but slower answers. Admin panel → AI model tab shows AI engine: Compatibility.
• Several identical cards (e.g. 2× RTX A6000, 4× A40, 8× H100): DABO splits the model across the cards and runs extra copies in parallel. Mixed cards: only the strongest group is used — setup tells you which card is left idle.
• The VRAM shown by Windows / nvidia-smi is usually a little below the box (e.g. RTX 5090 shows 31.8 GB, L4 / A10 show 22.5 GB): DABO allows for this, so the card still gets the right tier.
• Card in MIG mode (A100, H100…): setup warns you. To use the whole card, run nvidia-smi -i <GPU number> -mig 0 and restart the machine.
• NVIDIA driver too old: setup updates it (one restart needed). Maxwell / Pascal / Volta cards use the 580 driver branch — the last branch that supports them.
• No GPU, or a very old card (Kepler or earlier): you can still install; the AI runs on the CPU — very slow, for trying out only.

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5 things to prepare

1. Internet during installation (20–80 GB download). Afterwards DABO works without Internet. No Internet on site: contact DABO for installation from a portable drive.
2. Give the server a fixed (static) IP: ask whoever manages your network/router to reserve an IP for this machine (e.g. 192.168.1.20). Staff open DABO with this address — if it changes, they lose access.
3. Pick the drive with the most free space for AI models (e.g. drive D:). This location cannot be changed after installation.
4. Windows: CPU virtualization enabled (usually already on). Check: Task Manager → Performance → CPU → Virtualization: Enabled. If Disabled: restart, enter BIOS/UEFI (usually Del, F2 or F10 at boot) → enable Intel VT-x or AMD-V / SVM → save (F10).
5. Turn off sleep on the server: Settings → System → Power → Sleep: Never. A sleeping server cannot serve staff.

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Network ports & firewall — open only what is needed

DABO does not need every port open, and when it is used only inside your company network it needs no port open to the Internet at all. Below is the complete list so IT can configure the firewall on a least-access basis — you can send this section to your network administrator as is.

Inbound — other computers connecting to the DABO server

• All other ports: keep closed. The admin page (3003), AI models, database, remote-support channel… listen only on 127.0.0.1 (the server itself) — other computers cannot reach them even if the firewall were open.
• Administering from another computer: sign in to the server (Remote Desktop / SSH) and open the admin page there, or use an SSH tunnel ssh -L 3003:127.0.0.1:3003 <server>.
• The installer opens 80/443 in the server’s own firewall: on Windows it creates the rule DABO AI (HTTP/HTTPS); on Linux it opens them in firewalld / ufw if active. To allow only the local network (Windows, admin PowerShell): Set-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "DABO AI (HTTP/HTTPS)" -RemoteAddress LocalSubnet.
• Linux: Docker manages ports 80/443 itself, so ufw cannot block them — to restrict who can connect, add rules on the company network firewall or in the iptables DOCKER-USER chain.
• Staff computers with DABO AI Desktop only connect out to the DABO server on port 443. The app listens only on 127.0.0.1 of that computer (for the “One-tap connect” button in the browser) and opens no port to the network.

Outbound — the DABO server connecting out

All outbound connections are HTTPS on port 443, except where noted. If you only use chat and your internal documents, DABO needs no Internet after installation; each extra feature you turn on needs only its own row. If your firewall / proxy filters by domain, allow the domains below.

Check after installing

1. From another computer on the LAN, open https://<server IP> — the DABO sign-in page means port 443 is open.
2. From another computer, try http://<server IP>:3003 — it must not open (the admin page is only available on the server itself).
3. Linux (on the server): sudo ss -tlnp — only ports 80 and 443 listen on all addresses (0.0.0.0 / *); every other DABO port is 127.0.0.1.

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Installing on Windows — step by step

Step 1 — Open the installer

Copy DABO-Setup.exe to the server and double-click it. If Windows shows the blue “Windows protected your PC” screen: click More info (1) → Run anyway (2). This is a normal warning for new software, not a virus. When Windows asks “Do you want to allow this app to make changes…?” → click Yes.

Step 2 — Choose the language

Choose English (1) and click OK (2). This also becomes DABO’s default language.

Step 3 — Welcome and program folder

Read the information and click Next (1). On the next screen keep the program folder C:\Program Files\DABO (1) and click Next (2). It is small (about 200 MB); the large AI data location is chosen next.

Step 4 — AI data location (important)

The installer pre-selects the drive with the most free space (1), e.g. D:\DABO-Data. To change it, click Browse… (2). The drive needs at least 80 GB free; otherwise you get a warning — pick another drive. Click Install (3).

Step 5 — Wait for the environment (10–30 minutes)

The installer enables WSL2, creates DABO’s own Linux environment “DABO-Linux”, installs Docker and the NVIDIA driver. Nothing to do but wait. If a restart is needed you get a 30-second notice — after the restart, sign in to Windows as usual and setup continues in a new window. Do not close that window.

Step 6 — Choose the AI model

The installer shows your graphics card, memory and a list of models (1). The bold row marked RECOMMENDED fits your machine best — just pick it and click Install this model (2). Grey rows exceed your hardware (selectable, but may not run). No choice within 10 minutes → the recommended model is used.

Step 7 — Address for staff

Field (1) is pre-filled with the server’s IP on the company network (e.g. 192.168.1.20). Keep it if you reserved a static IP, or type an internal domain your IT created (e.g. dabo.company.com, without http://). Click Use this address (2).

Step 8 — Done

The installer downloads the AI model, starts DABO and shows a completion message. The browser opens http://127.0.0.1:3002 so you can create the first admin account. Note the admin panel address and the admin code file location from the message.

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Installing on Linux (Ubuntu / Red Hat)

DABO recommends Linux for long-running servers (most stable and fastest). The installer runs in a terminal and asks one question at a time — type a number or press Enter to accept the value in square brackets.

1. Copy DABO-Setup-Linux.run to the server, open a terminal in that folder and type: sudo bash DABO-Setup-Linux.run (enter your password when asked).
2. Choose the language. The installer checks the OS, permissions and Internet.
3. Data location: partitions and free space are listed and the emptiest one is suggested. Press Enter to accept.
4. No NVIDIA driver yet: it is installed (5–15 minutes) and you are asked Reboot now? → type y. After the restart continue with sudo bash /opt/dabo/bootstrap/linux.sh.
5. Choose the AI model: the row with ★ is recommended — press Enter.
6. Access address: press Enter to use the detected IP (or type an internal domain).
7. Wait while DABO is built and started (first time 10–30 minutes). Finally the staff address, admin panel address and admin code are printed.

• Admin code: /etc/dabo/admin-panel-secret.txt (sudo cat /etc/dabo/admin-panel-secret.txt). Log: /var/log/dabo-setup.log.
• The admin panel only opens on the server (http://127.0.0.1:3003). From another computer IT can use an SSH tunnel: ssh -L 3003:127.0.0.1:3003 <user>@<server-ip> then open http://127.0.0.1:3003.
• Unattended install (for IT): sudo DABO_YES=1 DABO_DATA_ROOT=/data/dabo DABO_MODEL=<model> DABO_ADDRESS=<ip> DABO_LANG=en bash DABO-Setup-Linux.run.

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Installing on macOS

1. Double-click DABO-Setup-Mac.zip to unzip, then double-click DABO-Setup.command.
2. The first time macOS blocks unknown files: right-click the file → Open → click Open (1). On macOS 15 or later: go to System Settings → Privacy & Security, scroll down, click Open Anyway, then open the file again.
3. A Terminal window appears — do not close it until you see “DABO is ready” (10–40 minutes).
4. The installer downloads Docker Desktop and opens it: click Accept and enter your Mac password once.
5. AI data location → “Use this location”. Access address → “Use this address”.
6. Choose the AI model: pick the ★ row (1) → Install this model (2), or click Use recommended.
7. Done: chat at http://127.0.0.1:3002, admin at http://127.0.0.1:3003, admin code in ~/Library/Application Support/DABO/admin-panel-secret.txt.

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Create the first admin account

Right after installation the browser opens DABO on the server (http://127.0.0.1:3002). Since there are no accounts yet, DABO shows the create the first ADMIN account form:

1. Enter Full name (1), Email (2) — preferably a company email — and Password (3), at least 8 characters, then type it again in Confirm password (4).
2. Click Create account (5). You go straight to the chat screen. This account automatically becomes administrator.
3. Self-registration is now closed — staff accounts are created by you in the admin panel.

Opening the admin panel for the first time

1. On the server itself, open a browser at http://127.0.0.1:3003.
2. Open the admin code file (Windows: C:\ProgramData\DABO\admin-panel-secret.txt; Linux: /etc/dabo/admin-panel-secret.txt; Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/DABO/admin-panel-secret.txt) and copy the code.
3. Enter the Email (1) and Password (2) you just created, paste the Admin code (3), click Log in (4).

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Let staff in

1. Admin panel → Users & documents → Create account for each employee (how).
2. Send each employee the address https://<IP or domain> (e.g. https://192.168.1.20) and their login email. Employees create their own password with a setup code: DABO emails the code if Approve by email is on; otherwise give them the code shown when you created the account. The employee opens Webchat → 🔑 Create a password with a code.
3. On first visit the browser warns “Your connection is not private” — normal, because DABO uses an internal certificate. Click Advanced → Proceed (Chrome/Edge) or Advanced → Accept the Risk (Firefox). Once per computer.
4. Staff sign in and use DABO right away on computers or phones on the company network.

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Activate your license

After installation DABO runs the Free plan (up to 5 users, 100 documents). To use Pro / Max / Ultra, open the admin page → License tab and pick one of three ways:

• You have a license code like DABO-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX (server with Internet): paste it into License code (2) → click Activate with code (3). No need to send your Machine ID.
• Try before you buy: choose a plan (4) → click Start the 30-day trial (5) — every feature of the Ultra or Max plan for 30 days, once per machine.
• Server without Internet: click Copy (1) next to the Machine ID and send it to DABO (info@dabotech.ai) or your reseller → you receive a .dabo file → Choose file (6) → Activate license (7).

• The license is tied to the server hardware: reinstalling the operating system keeps the same Machine ID. Moving to a new server: click Deactivate on the old one, then enter the code on the new one (for a .dabo file license, ask DABO to reissue it).
• When a license or trial ends, DABO falls back to the Free plan without losing data. Webchat reminds users 30 days ahead (trial: during the last 7 days).
• Details for each option: License tab.

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Do this right after installing

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Updating DABO

1. Admin panel → Updates tab → Check for updates (1).
2. Tick the items to install (new models, platform software, fixes) → Install selected (2).
3. Packages are signature-checked, backed up before installing and rolled back on failure. To go back: Restore previous version (3).

• Reinstall / major upgrade: run the new installer (DABO-Setup.exe, DABO-Setup-Linux.run or DABO-Setup.command). Data, accounts and license are kept.
• Offline servers: leave “Update source” empty; DABO updates from a portable drive.

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Backup & restore

Turn on daily automatic backups right after installation — it takes 1 minute. Every button explained: admin guide.

• Backups do not include AI model files (they can be downloaded again), so they are small and fast.
• Store backups on another drive, a NAS or USB — a failed main disk then does not take the backups with it.
• Moving to a new server: install DABO there → Restore from file… → choose the old server’s .dabobak file → ask DABO to reissue the license for the new Machine ID.

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Forgotten admin password / admin code

• Another admin exists: they open the admin panel → accounts list → click ✎ → Reset password to issue you a password setup code; you open Webchat → 🔑 Create a password with a code and set a new password yourself.
• The only admin forgot the password: on a Windows server click Start → type DABO → choose DABO - Admin password recovery. Linux: sudo bash /opt/dabo/support-tools/reset-admin-password.sh. Mac: run support-tools/reset-admin-password.sh in the DABO folder. The tool sets a temporary password, unlocks the account and shows the admin code; you set a new password at next sign-in.
• Forgot the admin code: open admin-panel-secret.txt on the server again.
• 5 wrong passwords within 15 minutes lock the account for 15 minutes (an admin can unlock it immediately).

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Uninstalling

• Windows: run C:\Program Files\DABO\Uninstall.exe. When asked whether to delete all data, choose No to keep it (recommended if you will reinstall). Deleting data cannot be undone — back up first.
• Linux: run sudo bash /opt/dabo/bootstrap/uninstall.sh. macOS: open Terminal and run bash <DABO folder>/bootstrap/uninstall.sh. The script asks before each step; your data is kept unless you type DELETE. Docker and the graphics driver are left in place.

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Problems during installation?

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