---
title: "Database model update - Rest PKI"
description: "Updating the database of an on-premises Rest PKI instance, automatically or manually, and how the choice depends on whether the system owns the database or only reads and writes."
canonical: "https://docs.lacunasoftware.com/en-us/articles/rest-pki/on-premises/database-update"
locale: "en"
product: "Rest PKI (legacy)"
last_updated: "2026-10-12"
---

# Database model update - Rest PKI

Database updates on [*on premises*](https://docs.lacunasoftware.com/en-us/articles/rest-pki/on-premises) instances of [Rest PKI](https://docs.lacunasoftware.com/en-us/articles/rest-pki) can be
performed **automatically** or **manually**.

In automatic mode, the database is updated the first time a new version of the system runs, and no additional
procedure is needed. In manual mode, after a version update of the system that requires a database update, the
system stays out of service until the procedure is performed manually (see the [section below](https://docs.lacunasoftware.com/en-us/articles/rest-pki/on-premises/database-update#manual-update)).

The most suitable setting depends mainly on the choice made during the installation of the system regarding the
system's permissions on the database:

1. The system is the *owner* of the database, **or**
1. The system has only read and write permissions on the database

If you chose option **1** (system is the ***owner* of the database**), both database update settings can be used,
and **automatic** updates are recommended. If you chose option **2** (system has **only read and write**
permissions on the database), the system must be configured to perform database updates **manually**.

## Configuring the update mode

The update mode -- manual or automatic -- is configured in the `AppSettings.config` file, on the `AutoUpdateDatabase` item.

To use **automatic** database updates (recommended setting when the system is the ***owner* of the database**):

```xml
<add key="AutoUpdateDatabase" value="True" />
```

To use **manual** database updates (required setting when the system has **only read and write** permissions on the database):

```xml
<add key="AutoUpdateDatabase" value="False" />
```

> **Note**
>
> If the setting is omitted, **manual** updates are assumed (which is not ideal when the system is the *owner* of the database).

## Manual database update

If, after updating Rest PKI, the message "HTTP Error 503.0 - The server is currently undergoing maintenance. Please try again later." appears, the database must be updated manually.

> **Note**
>
> To know in advance whether an update requires a database update, check whether the [changelog](https://docs.lacunasoftware.com/en-us/articles/rest-pki/changelog) marks any of the
> versions between the installed version and the one you are installing as requiring a database update. To learn how to
> check the installed version of the system, see [this article](https://docs.lacunasoftware.com/en-us/articles/rest-pki/on-premises/check-version).

In that case, access the `/Maintenance` URL relative to the site address (for instance, `http://localhost:9000/Maintenance`) and follow the instructions on the screen.

> **Note**
>
> To access this URL you must be accessing the site locally or through HTTPS. If you need to access this URL remotely through HTTP, see section 2.4.5 of the [Setup manual for Windows Server](https://cdn.lacunasoftware.com/restpki/restpki-admin-guide-pt.pdf) (in Portuguese)

![Database update page](https://docs.lacunasoftware.com/images/rest-pki/db-update.png)

In this step, the system updates the tables in the database. Use one of the options shown on the screen to perform the changes, according to the application's permissions on the database chosen during the installation:

* If the system is the *owner* of the database, proceed with option **A** (*Perform changes with the application's user*)
* If the system has only read and write permissions on the database, proceed with option **B** (*Provide
  credentials for a privileged user*). Then provide "RestPkiAdmin" as the privileged user (or the username chosen
  during the installation as the database administrator user) and its password

After you follow the instructions, the home screen with the message "REST PKI on premises" is shown and the update procedure is complete.

## See also

* [Troubleshooting issues on Rest PKI setup](https://docs.lacunasoftware.com/en-us/articles/rest-pki/on-premises/windows-setup/troubleshoot)