How to Install and Configure a Perforce Helix Core Server on Ubuntu 24.04

Step 1: Add the Perforce Repository

1. Download the Perforce GPG Key:

   wget -qO /usr/share/keyrings/perforce-archive-keyring.gpg https://package.perforce.com/perforce.pubkey

2. Add the Repository:

   echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/perforce-archive-keyring.gpg] http://package.perforce.com/apt/ubuntu jammy release" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/perforce.list

3. Update Package Lists:

   sudo apt update

Step 2: Install Helix Core (p4d)

Install the Perforce Helix Core server using:

sudo apt install helix-p4d

Step 3: Configure the Server

1. Create a Directory for the Server:

   sudo mkdir -p /opt/perforce/servers/master
   sudo chown perforce:perforce /opt/perforce/servers/master

2. Set Up the p4dctl Service:

   sudo nano /etc/perforce/p4dctl.conf.d/master.conf

   Add the following content:

   master {
       Description = "Helix Core Server Master Instance"
       Executable = /usr/sbin/p4d
       Root = /opt/perforce/servers/master
       User = perforce
       Group = perforce
       Environment {
           P4PORT = 1666
           P4ROOT = /opt/perforce/servers/master
           P4LOG = /opt/perforce/servers/master/logs/log
           P4JOURNAL = /opt/perforce/servers/master/checkpoints/journal
       }
   }

3. Verify the Configuration:

   sudo -u perforce p4dctl list

4. Start the Server:

   sudo -u perforce p4dctl start master

   Or start all configured services:

   sudo -u perforce p4dctl start -a

Step 4: Test the Server

1. Check Server Status:

   sudo -u perforce p4dctl status

2. Connect to the Server: Use the p4 CLI tool or a graphical client like P4V to connect to the server on port 1666.

Step 5: Optional – Install the Helix Visual Client (P4V)

For a graphical interface, install the Helix Visual Client:

sudo apt install helix-p4v

Launch it by typing:

p4v

Common Troubleshooting

• Error: “NO_PUBKEY” Ensure the key is correctly downloaded and saved:

  wget -qO - https://package.perforce.com/perforce.pubkey | gpg --dearmor | sudo tee /usr/share/keyrings/perforce-archive-keyring.gpg > /dev/null

• Error: “No services configured” with p4dctl Ensure the file /etc/perforce/p4dctl.conf.d/master.conf is correctly formatted and points to the appropriate directories.