When you install the Octopus Server, you’ll be asked whether Octopus should run as the Local System account, or as a custom user. It’s a good practice to set up a dedicated user account for the Octopus Server.
Keep in mind that the user principal that the Octopus service runs as needs to be able to do many things:
- Run as a service (“Log on as a service” rights), so that the service can start.
- Read and write the Octopus SQL Server Database. If the SQL database is on another server, this is a good reason to use a custom user account.
- Read and write from the registry and file system (details below).
- Read any NuGet feeds that use local folders or file shares.
The following table acts as a guide for the minimal permission set that Octopus must have for successful operation:
| Permission | Object | Reason | Applied with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full control | The Octopus “Home” folder, e.g. C:\Octopus | Octopus stores logs, temporary data, and dynamic configuration in this folder. | Windows Explorer |
| Read | The directory Octopus was installed to (typically C:\Program Files\Octopus Deploy) | Octopus needs these files in order to run. | Windows Explorer |
| Read | The HKLM\Software\Octopus registry key | Octopus determines the location of its configuration files from this key. | Regedit |
| Full control | The OctopusDeploy Windows Service | Octopus must be able to upgrade and restart itself for remote administration. | SC.EXE |
| Listen | Port 10943 | Octopus accepts commands from polling Tentacles on this port. | NETSH.EXE |
| Listen | Port 80 | The Octopus Server responds to browser requests on this port. | NETSH.EXE |
| Listen | Port 443 | If using SSL, the Octopus Server responds to browser requests on this port. | NETSH.EXE |
| db_owner | For the SQL database. Learn more. | Octopus needs to be able to manage its database, including making schema changes. | SQL Server Management Studio |
If you rely on Octopus to run certain tasks on the Octopus Server, you’ll also need to grant appropriate permissions for these. Examples include:
- Using the Windows Azure deployment tasks in Octopus (these run on the Octopus Server).
- Deploying to an offline package drop deployment target.
- Running a custom script on the Octopus Server.
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Page updated on Sunday, January 1, 2023