moving reports from 10.2 to Cognos analytics 11

[84gopi]

Hi,

Currently we are using Cognos 10.2.1 version, planning to move to Cognos analytics 11.0.
But not with complete migration.

So please let us know which version is stable and good for development in cognos analytics from 11.0 to 11.0.9?

Also is their any way we can move only the reports to new version, without complete migration?

if you have any document or link details which can be useful to decide on the version, please share with us.

Thanks
Gopi

[MFGF]

Hi,

Currently we are using Cognos 10.2.1 version, planning to move to Cognos analytics 11.0.
But not with complete migration.

So please let us know which version is stable and good for development in cognos analytics from 11.0 to 11.0.9?

Also is their any way we can move only the reports to new version, without complete migration?

if you have any document or link details which can be useful to decide on the version, please share with us.

Thanks
Gopi

Hi,

I'd go with the latest release of CA, which is currently 11.0.9. Newer builds of CA have more capabilities as well as appearing to be more robust.

In CA you're going to need your packages and data source connections as well as your reports, or else the reports won't run. You can migrate as much or as little of the content as you like - think of it in terms of upgrading from one version to another rather than migrating to a new architecture.

Cheers!

MF.

[dougp]

Stable?  Well, it doesn't crash.  You'll want to test every feature to be sure it meets the needs of your users.  The Filter Condition dialog, for example, is very disappointing.

[84gopi]

Hi MF,

I need all the reports, cubes if any has to run in Cognos Analytics. I thought if we go with latest version 11.0.9, since it is latest version we may have some issues and fixes that IBM is doing it.

So if we use the latest version is it better to start any project development?

how can we migrate only partial content in new environment?

upgrade from 10.2 to directly CA 11.0.6/11.0.7/11.0.9? do we see any challenges in report running and other things?

Or its better to upgrade to 11.06 then to 11.0.9? please advise.

Also if possible share any document for my reference.

Thanks
Gopi

[MFGF]

Hi MF,

I need all the reports, cubes if any has to run in Cognos Analytics. I thought if we go with latest version 11.0.9, since it is latest version we may have some issues and fixes that IBM is doing it.

So if we use the latest version is it better to start any project development?

how can we migrate only partial content in new environment?

upgrade from 10.2 to directly CA 11.0.6/11.0.7/11.0.9? do we see any challenges in report running and other things?

Or its better to upgrade to 11.06 then to 11.0.9? please advise.

Also if possible share any document for my reference.

Thanks
Gopi

Hi,

All the reports you have in 10.2.1 should run exactly as they do now when you move them to Cognos Analytics. There are new features you can "switch on" if you wish to (such as the new Interactive Viewer) and depending on how your reports are written and whether you use JavaScript they might need some updates if you do, but if you just move the reports etc they should work exactly as they do currently in 10.2.1.

You can create deployment archives in 10.2.1 and select which parts of the content to include - then just move these across to 11.0.9 and import them. It's no different from moving content from 10.2.1 to 10.2.2, or from one instance of 10.2.1 to another (eg Dev to Test).

There's no need to migrate to anything between 10.2.1 and 11.0.9 - just go straight there.

IBM Have a good guide for the upgrade here:

http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21624935

Cheers!

MF.

[84gopi]

Hi,

Thanks for the information, I will look into those things.

can you also let me know how can we handle load balancing in Cognos analytics if we have only 1 server, where all the cognos components are installed.

For example: In cognos 11 web server is optional gateway. so all the requests will be directly send to dispatcher.

so can you suggest better cognos server architecture details, like how many server we should have, which can be feasible and better performance.

I am suggesting my client with 3 Tier Architecture.

1. Top layer GUI ( windows and Web bases components)
2. Tier -1 Web Server ( optional gateway in cognos analytics)
3. Tier -2  Application server
4. Tier -3 Data Tier ( content store and metric Store) along with data sources.

Is it fine to with above approach? if its gud how can we manager load balancing here.

Or we should go with 1 primary and secondary server (backup) for each content store, gateway and Dispatcher.

Please advise.

Thanks
Gopi

[84gopi]

Hi,

We had a call with client today on cognos architecture, they were asking is it possible to install all the cognos components in 1 server ( gateway, content, dispatcher, FM, Powerplay, cognos connection etc...) for development work?

If so, Is their any challenges or issues we may face if we install all in 1 server?

Please advise.

Thanks
Gopi

[MFGF]

Hi,

We had a call with client today on cognos architecture, they were asking is it possible to install all the cognos components in 1 server ( gateway, content, dispatcher, FM, Powerplay, cognos connection etc...) for development work?

If so, Is their any challenges or issues we may face if we install all in 1 server?

Please advise.

Thanks
Gopi

Hi,

Yes, it's both possible and common :)

Challenges you might face are the spec of the server not being up to hosting all of the load, plus the loss of failover if the server crashes. If you want Framework Manager on there, you're also limiting yourself to a Windows server.

Cheers!

MF.

[84gopi]

Hi,

Sorry I am not getting clearly what you meant by.

Could you please elaborate and let me know regarding issues and problems we may face if we have single server? client also mentioned since users are less no need of backup/stand server.

Please send me the details of issues/challenges or advantages/disadvantages of having single or multiple server as per 3 Tier architecture.

So that I can inform the same to our client.

Thanks
Gopi

[84gopi]

Hi,

Can you please respond to my query.

Thanks
Gopi

[MFGF]

Hi,

Sorry I am not getting clearly what you meant by.

Could you please elaborate and let me know regarding issues and problems we may face if we have single server? client also mentioned since users are less no need of backup/stand server.

Please send me the details of issues/challenges or advantages/disadvantages of having single or multiple server as per 3 Tier architecture.

So that I can inform the same to our client.

Thanks
Gopi

If you have a single server, challenges you might face are:
- The spec (memory/cpu) of the server is not enough to support the load of the Cognos processing. Make sure your server has enough resources free
- You have no failover capabilities. If the server dies, you lose your Cognos instance until you get it running again.
- If you also intend to host Framework Manager on the server, you are then limited to using a Windows server (rather than Linux/Unix) as FM only runs on Windows.
It's a little worrying that you are in a position of being a trusted advisor to your client and giving them best practice advice on their Cognos infrastructure but your post implies you're not familiar with the main concepts of the Cognos architecture. Have you considered taking some training in Cognos Administration?

Cheers!

MF.

[84gopi]

Hi,

Thanks for the details.

yes I know cognos administration, but even I know if we use single server it will have load and some time performance issues due to more load on processing.

But wanted to confirm with more details before I inform our client.

Any way I will let you know if I have any more queries later.

Thanks
Gopi

[84gopi]

Hi,

I have refer below IBM links and saw, we need to install Application tier (dispatcher, content manager, gateway) and data tier (content store) in 2 separate computers, instead of single PC.

Cognos 11 Distributing components

https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SSEP7J_11.0.0/com.ibm.swg.ba.cognos.inst_cr_winux.doc/c_reportnetinstallationoptions.html

https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SSEP7J_11.0.0/com.ibm.swg.ba.cognos.inst_cr_winux.doc/c_distributionoptionsforcognosseries8.html#DistributionOptionsforCognosSeries8

So is it mandatory to install above in separate computer? or we can manager with single computer also?

In cognos analytics we already have data module, how good it is to develop relational or DMR modules. because I have not worked on analytics not sure how feasible it is.

So if data module is gud do we need FM to be installed in separate computer? or we can manage with data module only for development work?

Thanks
Gopi

[MFGF]

Hi,

I have refer below IBM links and saw, we need to install Application tier (dispatcher, content manager, gateway) and data tier (content store) in 2 separate computers, instead of single PC.

Cognos 11 Distributing components

https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SSEP7J_11.0.0/com.ibm.swg.ba.cognos.inst_cr_winux.doc/c_reportnetinstallationoptions.html

https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SSEP7J_11.0.0/com.ibm.swg.ba.cognos.inst_cr_winux.doc/c_distributionoptionsforcognosseries8.html#DistributionOptionsforCognosSeries8

So is it mandatory to install above in separate computer? or we can manager with single computer also?

In cognos analytics we already have data module, how good it is to develop relational or DMR modules. because I have not worked on analytics not sure how feasible it is.

So if data module is gud do we need FM to be installed in separate computer? or we can manage with data module only for development work?

Thanks
Gopi

Hi,

As I indicated above, you can install everything on one server. If you look at the page your first link points to, the first option it gives is

•Install all components on one computer.

This is telling you that you can install everything on one server.

This is a really basic Cognos 101 architecture question. Have you really taken training? Was it an official course? Distribution (or non-distribution) of the architecture is one of the very first things it covers, and in lots of good detail.

A Data Module is really intended for agile data discovery. It doesn't have many of the security, governance, trap resolution and multi-grain capabilities you'd find in Framework Manager. If you want robust, governed, reliable metadata models, use FM to create them. You will almost certainly need FM, so plan where you want it to be installed.

Cheers!

MF.

[84gopi]

Hi,

that first option it says to install all in 1 server, is for POC or demo purpose only not for complete development work I believe.

Yes I have taken official training only long back, where I have used distributed components like 2 servers for each gateway, dispatcher and content manager.

It all depends on the requirement we will choose the environment setup, but for best performance its not advisable to install all in one server, that what I am thinking.....

Thanks for Data module details. I will sure be installing FM and use because its really feasible and better for development purpose only.


Thanks
Gopi

[MFGF]

Hi,

that first option it says to install all in 1 server, is for POC or demo purpose only not for complete development work I believe.

It says the following:

This option is typically used for departmental deployments, as a demonstration system, or in a proof of concept environment.

There are three use cases listed . Departmental deployment, where there is a small audience and no requirement for failover. Demonstration system where there is no production workload. POC environment where again there is no production workload.

Your situation sounds like the first use case? It certainly does not say a single server install is for POC or demo purpose only.

Yes I have taken official training only long back, where I have used distributed components like 2 servers for each gateway, dispatcher and content manager.

I suggest you review the course materials again. When I taught the Admin course there were slides that specifically covered the different install options, including single server, and moving from there to multiple servers with different mixes of components on each. :)

It all depends on the requirement we will choose the environment setup, but for best performance its not advisable to install all in one server, that what I am thinking.....

That's not necessarily true. If the single server has enough free resources to handle the workload, you will not see any performance difference than if you were using multiple servers. In fact, you might see marginally worse performance with multiple servers as there is extra processing involved to load balance requests between servers.

Thanks for Data module details. I will sure be installing FM and use because its really feasible and better for development purpose only.

A good plan. FM is still the metadata tool of choice for creating robust, governed, metadata.

Cheers!

MF.


Thanks
Gopi
[/quote]

[84gopi]

Hi,

Is my understanding is correct on my previous post, let me know your final thoughts on this.

Thanks
Gopi

[MFGF]

Hi,

Is my understanding is correct on my previous post, let me know your final thoughts on this.

Thanks
Gopi

Hi,

What is your understanding? That a single server is only suitable for demo or POC purposes? Is that what you're asking?

MF.

[dougp]

A single server is not only suitable for proof-of-concept.  It works fine as a production system.

I purchased a new, current server machine last year (4 CPU cores, 32 GB RAM, plenty of HDD).  I'm running gateway, one 32-bit dispatcher, and content manager on that hardware.  Memory usage is typically around 40% and CPU usage usually averages about 10% to 15%.  I have 6800 potential users, 2500 logons, 250 distinct users running 1000 report requests daily (that's only an average of 2 requests per minute for the 9-hour core hours).

My Content Store is on a SQL server box managed by my database administrators.

If your clients have their hearts set on Cognos Analytics 11.0.x, performance of a single-server configuration shouldn't be a problem.

[84gopi]

Hi MF,

Thanks for the details, so after going through mail here is the Summary

Depends on work load, number of users, production work load we can decide to install all components in 1 server or multiple servers.

Also we need to install data tier and content manager in different systems, as per distribution options link shared be me earlier.

Any way I will pass these information to our client, mean while they are also planning to have call with IBM on server setup to see which is suitable.

Because as per I know users are going to use Cognos BI as well as Power BI both for reports.

Thanks
Gopi

[MFGF]

Depends on work load, number of users, production work load we can decide to install all components in 1 server or multiple servers.

Yes - exactly

Also we need to install data tier and content manager in different systems, as per distribution options link shared be me earlier.

No. You can install all the Cognos architecture on one server, including content manager, if you want to. The "data tier" is wherever your databases live - including the content store database. This can be on the same server as Cognos or elsewhere - it's up to you.

Cheers!

MF.

[84gopi]

Hi,

In below link IBM have stated differently right, so I am confused..

https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SSEP7J_11.0.0/com.ibm.swg.ba.cognos.inst_cr_winux.doc/c_reportnetinstallationoptions.html

• Install application tier components and Content Manager on separate computers.

Choose this option to maximize performance, availability, capacity, or security based on the processing characteristics of our organization.

No matter which IBM Cognos installation scenario you follow, install the modeling components in separate locations.

•Application Tier Components and Content Managers on separate computers

Application Tier Components balance loads, access data, perform queries, schedule jobs, and render reports. Content Manager stores all report specifications, results, packages, folders, and jobs in the content store.

Please clarify.

Thanks
Gopi

[MFGF]

Hi,

In below link IBM have stated differently right, so I am confused..

https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SSEP7J_11.0.0/com.ibm.swg.ba.cognos.inst_cr_winux.doc/c_reportnetinstallationoptions.html

• Install application tier components and Content Manager on separate computers.

Choose this option to maximize performance, availability, capacity, or security based on the processing characteristics of our organization.

No matter which IBM Cognos installation scenario you follow, install the modeling components in separate locations.

•Application Tier Components and Content Managers on separate computers

Application Tier Components balance loads, access data, perform queries, schedule jobs, and render reports. Content Manager stores all report specifications, results, packages, folders, and jobs in the content store.

Please clarify.

Thanks
Gopi

Hi,

We seem to be going around and around in circles here. The document you linked to shows ALL the available option choices you have for installing. The first four bullets points are alternatives you can choose to use, and the first of these clearly says "Install all components on one computer". This means installing all components on one computer is an option you can choose if it fits your requirements.

Let's make this clear, in simple words:

You can install all components of Cognos on one computer. There is no need to distribute the installation if you do not wish to. The document you linked to is a set of alternate scenarios for installing, and you can choose any one of them, including the first.

I hope that clears things up

MF.

[dougp]

gopi,

I'll just say it:  It looks like you are fishing for a reason to purchase additional hardware.

If you're really just trying to get it right...
Cognos Analytics 11.0.x will run on one server machine or many.  The reasons to choose different physical architectures are well-documented.  Your choice should be based on anticipated product component needs, usage volumes, and any requirements for high availability.  Document your needs (CYA), make a choice, and move forward.  If multiple machines are required, make that clear so management can make the choice.  If only one machine is needed, brag about how much money you are saving the company.

[ccgwalters]

All the reports you have in 10.2.1 should run exactly as they do now when you move them to Cognos Analytics. There are new features you can "switch on" if you wish to (such as the new Interactive Viewer) and depending on how your reports are written and whether you use JavaScript they might need some updates if you do, but if you just move the reports etc they should work exactly as they do currently in 10.2.1.

MF,

This has not been our experience. We are upgrading from 10.2.2 to 11.05 and have many reports that ran just fine in 10.2.2 and now either error or take hours to run in 11.0.5 (when they took minutes to run in 10.2.2). In fact there is a scheduled report running now that is at almost 6 hours when it took less than 20 minutes on our 10.2.2 server. My IT services group tells me that the configuration and resource are the same and should not be causing this restriction.

My fellow report developers are at our wits end trying to figure out why these reports don't run in the same time or at all.

CC-GW