Cognos Analytics 11.1 - Database as SQL Server 2017 Std-Cores Vs Hardware Cores

[abhinav2006@gmail.com]

(a) While searching I noted below

"BI server license could have been bought on a PVU license model, restricting you in the number of CPU cores you are allowed to assign"

-> How would I get to know about it ?

(b) I am about to procure MS SQL Server 2017 standard License for Cognos Analytics 11 and Cognos Controller.
SQL Database licensing is now either core based Or CAL based. If I opt for single license core based for 2 cores as default (retail price about 3800USD) and further allocates 2 cores of CPU to Virtual Machine which has SQL Database then I shall get good performance.. (Given my report users are 25 and 5 concurrent users at max at peak time)

Or should I take CAL based license.. please advice on (b) elaborately taking best practice in mind

[MFGF]

(a) While searching I noted below

"BI server license could have been bought on a PVU license model, restricting you in the number of CPU cores you are allowed to assign"

-> How would I get to know about it ?

(b) I am about to procure MS SQL Server 2017 standard License for Cognos Analytics 11 and Cognos Controller.
SQL Database licensing is now either core based Or CAL based. If I opt for single license core based for 2 cores as default (retail price about 3800USD) and further allocates 2 cores of CPU to Virtual Machine which has SQL Database then I shall get good performance.. (Given my report users are 25 and 5 concurrent users at max at peak time)

Or should I take CAL based license.. please advice on (b) elaborately taking best practice in mind

Hi,

There is nothing in the Cognos Analytics software that indicates how your organization chose to license it - it can either be user-based where every user requires a license, or it can be PVU based, where the software is licensed based on the number of cores available to it. You would need to check internally within your organization to make sure which model you are using - although bear in mind it is possible to mix the two (although less common).

It looks like SQL Server offers similar choices - either based on cores or client access licenses. With both CA and SQL Server I'm sure there will be a cut-off point where it makes financial sense to use one or the other model. I think with CA it's often the case that small audiences are more cost-effective using user-based licensing and larger audiences are more cost-effective using PVU licensing, and there is a tipping point somewhere. I'm sure your IBM account manager can advise on which licensing model is best for CA in your instance. Not sure IBM or Cognos-skilled people can advise on SQL Server licensing though - you'd probably need to find a Microsoft expert.

Cheers!

MF.