Getting Started With XNAT

Thank You For Downloading XNAT

If you haven't already downloaded XNAT, you can get the latest release version here: www.xnat.org/download

If you're just getting started with XNAT for the first time, you may find this quick reference document helpful.

What is XNAT?

XNAT is an open source imaging informatics platform developed by the Neuroinformatics Research Group at Washington University. XNAT was originally developed in the Buckner Lab at Washington University, now at Harvard University. It facilitates common management, productivity, and quality assurance tasks for imaging and associated data. Thanks to its extensibility, XNAT can be used to support a wide range of imaging-based projects.

Read more about XNAT...

What's new in XNAT?

XNAT releases new features and bugfixes multiple times per year, as well as new plugin functionality and dev ops guidance. Recent updates include better support for huge scales of data, and guidance on deploying in Kubernetes.

See: What's New In XNAT

How Do I Install XNAT?

Thanks to our updated build process, there is now immense flexibility and control in how you can install XNAT.

Running XNAT in a Dockerized Container with Configurable Dependencies

Running XNAT in a Vagrant Virtual Machine

Looking to play around with an XNAT before deploying it to a broad set of users? In less than fifteen minutes, you can have an XNAT up and running on your local machine, using either Docker or Vagrant.

Full XNAT Installation Guide

This guide will walk you through the steps (which are fewer than before) necessary to perform a full install of XNAT on your production system.

Deploying Plugins in XNAT

XNAT is quickly and easily extended with plugins to support core workflows such as image viewing with the XNAT OHIF Viewer and performing data processing with the Container Service. More plugins are available and documented at XNAT Tools.

How to Upgrade XNAT

If you are upgrading from XNAT 1.7.x, this should be fairly straightforward. If you are upgrading from an older version of XNAT, you may want to contact us.

Common XNAT Configurations

XNAT Setup - First Time Configuration

If this is your first XNAT installation, use this guide to get up and running.

XNAT Case Studies

There are several common configurations for XNAT, based on common use cases. We have documented these, but if your use case is unique, you might want to bring it up in the XNAT Community Discussion Group .

XNAT for single-project use
XNAT for large-scale institutional use
XNAT for multi-site studies
XNAT for clinical trials
XNAT for public data sharing

For further configurations, see: XNAT IT Operations

Legacy Installation Instructions

Installing the XNAT Pipeline Engine

Step by step guide to installing the (now-deprecated) pipeline engine.

Need Help?

There are several places you can turn to if you have questions.

Raise a question in the XNAT Community Discussion Group
Report a bug to the XNAT JIRA
For general questions, contact us