Migrating Cognos Databases to a New SQL Server

[Cape Cod Gunny]

Environment: Cognos 10.2.2 Old SQL Server 2008 New SQL Server 2016

I am looking to migrate the Cognos databases, on my system I have three of them (BAP40_Audit, Content Store, BA Mobile), to a new SQL Server instance.

Will you please verify the below steps are the correct steps to follow:

• Open Cognos Configuration
• Click Actions > Stop
• Backup the BAP40_Audit database from the current SQL Server and Restore it to the new SQL Server
• Backup the Content Store database from the current SQL Server and Restore it to the new SQL Server
• Backup the BA Mobile database from the current SQL Server and Restore it to the new SQL Server
• Modify the BAP40_Audit database "server with port number or instance name" property to point to the new SQL Server
• Modify the Content Store database "server with port number or instance name" property to point to the new SQL Server
• Modify the BA Mobile database "server with port number or instance name" property to point to the new SQL Server
• Click File > Save
• Click Actions > Start
• Close Cognos Configuration

[dougp]

On the surface that seems right.  But in 10.2.1 and 11.0.x (I think it was 11.0.4) that didn't work well for me for the Content Store.

What I ended up doing (if I remember correctly):

• Export the entire Content Store via a deployment export.
• Backup Audit database
• Restore Audit database to new server
• Create new Content Store database
• Modify the Content Store database "server with port number or instance name" property to point to the new SQL Server
• Modify the Audit database "server with port number or instance name" property to point to the new SQL Server
• File > Save
• Actions > Start (Cognos builds the Content Store database, then starts.)
• Close Cognos Configuration
• Import the entire Content Store via a deployment import.

I have about 2500 user profiles and about 20000 reports in Cognos, so my deployments take 45-90 minutes each.


And you're missing some steps involving database and server security settings.  Be sure your DBA has the users and roles related to Cognos the same on the new server as on the old.

For others who may have more helpful comments waiting, you may want to state exactly what version of Cognos and SQL Server you are using.

[Cape Cod Gunny]

@dougp,

I've added the Cognos Version 10.2.2 to my original post - Thank you.

Where/How do I do a Content Store export and import? I didn't see anything about that from inside Cognos Configuration.

[dougp]

Through the web site:
Cognos Administration -> Configuration -> Content Administration

and this message thread probably belongs in COGNOiSe.com - The IBM Cognos Community » IBM Cognos 10 Platform » Cognos 10 BI » Cognos Administration