Skip to main content

DW Blackjack - Upgrading DW Ai Server with CUDA 12.6

Updated

 

Upgrading DW Blackjack Ai Server with CUDA 12.6

-----------------------------------

Affected Roles: Administrator

Related DW Software: DW Ai Server, DW Ai Configuration Tool

Software Version: DW Ai Server 2.12, NVIDIA CUDA 12.6

Last Edit: December 12, 2025

-----------------------------------

NVIDIA CUDA Toolkit

Upon the release of DW Blackjack Ai Server Configuration Tool 2.13.3.760, the  DW Blackjack Ai Server must use NVIDIA CUDA 12.6 (or newer) before the DW Ai Server software applications can be updated.

Updating the NVIDIA CUDA Toolkit is necessary as the DW Ai Analytics engine will not work on older versions and will not work with DW Ai Server 2.10 or older.

This article will guide you how to upgrade your NVIDIA CUDA Toolkit software to version 12.6, then how to update your DW Ai Server and DW Ai Configuration Tool programs to version 2.13.

 

NOTE: This process must be performed locally from the DW Blackjack Ai Server’s desktop. If you have multiple DW Blackjack Ai Servers deployed, you must perform this upgrade on all DW Ai Server hardware.

IMPORTANT: It is critical that the computer is using NVIDIA CUDA 12 before upgrading any DW Ai Server components. Refer to Section 1 of this document to update the NVIDIA CUDA Toolkit.

 

Supported/Affected Devices:

  • DW Blackjack Ai Servers
  • DW Blackjack Ai Appliances

 

Section 1 – Upgrading the NVIDIA CUDA Toolkit

Part 1 of 2: Uninstalling Outdated CUDA Version 11

Before the new version of CUDA can be applied to the server, the outdated version and its assets must first be removed from the system.

To uninstall CUDA 11:

1. From the PC’s desktop, open the Control Panel application.

 

  1. In the Control Panel, navigate to Programs > Program and Features. Locate “NVIDIA CUDA” in the resulting list of programs.

 

3. Select “NVIDIA CUDA Runtime 11.x” then select the “Uninstall/Change” option at the top of the list.

 

4. A User Account Control pop-up window will request you to confirm the uninstallation. Click “Yes” to approve the changes.

 

5. The NVIDIA Runtime tool will launch. Click the “Uninstall” button to begin the removal process.

 

6. Allow NVIDIA CUDA 11 to be removed. A completion message will display once the process has finished. Click “Close” to close the window.

 

7. In the Programs and Features application, repeat Step 3 – Step 7 for the removal of the following NVIDIA CUDA programs:

  • NVIDIA CUDA Nsight NVTX 11.x
  • NVIDIA CUDA Visual Studio Integration 11.x
  • NVIDIA CUDA Documentation 11.x
  • NVIDIA CUDA Development 11.x

 

Part 2 of 2: Installing CUDA Version 12

After removing NVIDIA CUDA 11, you can install NVIDIA CUDA 12.

1. Download the CUDA 12 installation package from Digital Watchdog:

2. Locate your downloaded CUDA 12.6 file and double-click on the file to launch the NVIDIA CUDA installation tool.

 

3. A confirmation pop-up will display. Click “Yes” to confirm the installation process.

 

4. Click “OK” to temporarily extract the necessary installation files, which will automatically self-delete later.

 

5. The NVIDIA CUDA installation wizard will display.

In the License Agreement step, click the “Agree and Continue” button to confirm the installation of CUDA 12.

 

6. In the Option step, select “Express (Recommended)”.

 

7. A notification will appear explaining that NVIDIA Visual Studio is not installed. Confirm using the checkbox marked “I understand, and wish to continue the installation regardless.”

 

8. Allow the installation to complete. Once finished, the NVIDIA CUDA installation wizard will provide a summary. Click “Next” to proceed.

Click the “Restart Now” button to reboot the computer.

 

Upgrading the DW Ai Server Components

Part 1 of 3: Stopping the DW Media Service

After updating the NVIDIA CUDA Toolkit, you can proceed with updating the DW Ai Server software and DW Ai Configuration Tool software as normal.

1. In the Windows Tray Assistant (bottom-right of the desktop), click the chevron to show hidden icons.

 

2. Locate and right-click on the DW Media Server icon, then select “Stop Server (started)” to stop the media server.

   

 

3. A confirmation window will display. Click “Yes” to confirm changes to the media server status.

 

4. In the DW Spectrum Tray Assistant pop-up, click “Yes” to stop the media server. A confirmation message will appear.

 

Part 2 of 3: Upgrading the DW Ai Server

1. Download the updated DW Ai Server and DW Ai Configuration Tool installation files.

 

2. Locate your downloaded DW Ai Server file and double-click on the file to launch the DW Ai Server Setup tool.

 

3. A confirmation pop-up will display. Click “Yes” to allow the update to install. The installation process will automatically overwrite the outdated version.

 

4. In the DW Ai Server Setup, click “Next” to proceed.

Click “I Agree” to approve the EULA and installation of the update.

 

5. Make sure that both the “DW Ai Server” and “DW Ai Server Plugin” components are selected. Click “Install” to run the update.

 

6. A confirmation message will display when the installation is done.

Click “OK” then click “Finish” to complete the DW Ai Server version upgrade process.

 

Part 3 of 3: Upgrading the DW Ai Configuration Tool

1. Locate then double-click on your downloaded DW Ai Configuration Tool file to launch the setup tool.

 

2. Once launched, the installation will automatically run and overwrite the old software version. The DW Ai Configuration Tool will open automatically when it is finished.

 

Restarting the DW Spectrum Media Server

If you are using a DW Blackjack Ai Server, you will need to restart the DW Spectrum Server program. To do so:

  1. In the Windows Tray Assistant (bottom-right of the desktop), click the chevron to show hidden icons.

 

2. Locate and right-click on the DW Media Server icon, then select “Start Server (stopped)” to restart the media server.

 

Additional Notes & Instructions

If you have updated the NVIDIA CUDA Toolkit and DW Ai Server components and are experiencing integration issues with the DW Spectrum Professional software, you may need to update the DW Spectrum Ai Plugin for your client.

NOTE: For more information on updating DW Spectrum plugins, you can refer to the article DW Spectrum – Adding Plugins to a Server.

 

______________________________________________________________________________

For More Information or Technical Support

DW Technical Support: https://www.digital-watchdog.com/contact-tech-support/

DW Sales: sales@digital-watchdog.com | www.digital-watchdog.com

Related to

Related articles