Product:
Cognos Controller 10.3.1
CONTRL_version=CCR-AW64-ML-RTM-10.3.1100.216-0
CONTRL_name=IBM Cognos Controller
Microsoft Windows 2012 R2 Server
Microsoft SQL 2012 database server

Problem:
How setup a dedicated server that will only run the schedules consolidation jobs?

Suggested solution:
Install complete CA11 (Cognos Bi) on the main server, and get it working.
Install complete Cognos Controller 10.3.1 on the main server and get it working.
Instructions on how
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&ved=2ahUKEwjQsKjir4XdAhUJOpoKHU2qCucQFjACegQICBAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww-01.ibm.com%2Fsupport%2Fdocview.wss%3Fuid%3Dswg21608353%26aid%3D1&usg=AOvVaw2dMBi4aGy__1hcdEVBaXU6

On the secondary server, that should only do controller schedule jobs.
Install the prerequisite components like IIS and SQL drivers.
Download SQLNCLI from here https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=50402

Install main Cognos Controller 10.3.1 on this secondary server.
Copy the SQL driver sqljdbc42.jar file to folder c:\program files\ibm\cognos\ccr_64.
Configure Controller Configuration to have one database connection to your main controller database. This will create the DATA folder.
Copy the UDL files from the main controller server to the consolidation server in folder c:\program files\ibm\cognos\ccr_64\data.
Configure Controller Configuration to COM+ server setup, as of documentation.
Start the Batch Service in Controller Configuration.
Enter the url to the first server, as Report Server values;
Report server:
http://firstservername.domain.com/ibmcognos/bi/v1/disp
Dispatcher URI:
http://firstservername.domain.com:9300/p2pd/servlet/dispatch

Check that all the Cognos Controller services are installed.
Set IBM Cognos FAP Service and IBM Cognos Controller User Manager to Disabled.

Disable the IBM Cognos Controller Batch Service on the main controller server.
Check that IBM Cognos Controller Consolidation in Component Services is running when you do a scheduled consolidation.

If you do not have “IBM Cognos Controller User Manager” running on the same server where you have “IBM Cognos Controller Batch Service running”, then you can not schedule optimization of the Controller database – only schedule consolidation jobs.

Load balance as describe below, is not used in above setup;
http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21677206

IBM Cognos Controller Web is manually installed in above picture, on this consolidation server. http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg22014043

Product:
Cognos Controller 10.3.1 (version 10.3.1100.166)
Cognos Analytics 11.0.8.11
Microsoft Windows 2012 R2 Server

Problem:
After upgrade of Cognos Controller Client on Citrix server, the help menu does not work.

Error message:
Error Launching menu item “Help”.
Could not find a part of the path ‘c:\program files (x86)\IBM\IBM Cognos Controller\ctrl_ug_fapug_contectlinks.csv’.
at system.Net.FileWebRequest.EndGetResponse(IAsyncResultasyncResult) at…

Possible solution:
The file ccr.exe.config contain the wrong path. Open C:\Program Files\ibm\IBM Cognos Controller Local Client\ccr.exe.config in notepad.
Change the value

<add key=”CASUrl” value=”C:\Program Files (x86)\IBM\IBM Cognos Controller\”/>

to

<add key=”CASUrl” value=”C:\Program Files\ibm\IBM Cognos Controller Local Client\”/>

Save the file and try again.
Check also that <add key=”HelpUrl” value=”http://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter“/>  point to the correct web address.

Example of the ccr.exe.config file:

<?xml version=”1.0″ encoding=”utf-8″?>
<!–
IBM SOURCE CODE HEADER START
# =====================================================================
# IBM Confidential
#
# OCO Source Materials
#
# IBM Cognos Products: ccr
#
# (C) Copyright IBM Corp. 2004, 2014
#
# The source code for this program is not published or otherwise
# divested of its trade secrets, irrespective of what has been
# deposited with the U.S. Copyright Office.
# =====================================================================
# IBM SOURCE CODE HEADER END
–>
<configuration>

<configSections>
<sectionGroup name=”profile”>
<section name=”Settings” type=”System.Configuration.NameValueSectionHandler, System, Version=1.0.3300.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=b77a5c561934e089, Custom=null”/>
</sectionGroup>
<section name=”log4net” type=”log4net.Config.Log4NetConfigurationSectionHandler, log4net” requirePermission=”false”/>
</configSections>
<profile>
<Settings>
<add key=”SelectDb” value=”true”/>
<add key=”Language” value=”2057″/>
<add key=”CASUrl” value=”C:\Program Files\IBM\IBM Cognos Controller Local Client\”/>
<add key=”WSSUrl” value=”http://servername/ibmcognos/controllerserver”/>
<add key=”HelpUrl” value=”http://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter”/>
<add key=”InstallExcelLink” value=”false”/>
<add key=”CacheDir” value=””/>
</Settings>
</profile>
<system.web>
<webServices>
<soapExtensionTypes>
<add type=”ClientExtension, ControllerExtension” priority=”0″ group=”0″/>
</soapExtensionTypes>
</webServices>
</system.web>

<log4net>
<root>
<level value=”ERROR”/>
<appender-ref ref=”CCRClient”/>
</root>
<appender name=”CCRClient” type=”log4net.Appender.FileAppender”>
<staticLogFileName value=”false”/>
<file type=”log4net.Util.PatternString”>
<conversionPattern value=”${LOCALAPPDATA}\CCRClientLogs\%date{MM_dd_yyyy}.txt”/>
</file>
<appendToFile value=”true”/>
<layout type=”log4net.Layout.PatternLayout”>
<conversionPattern value=”%date %-5level %logger – %message%newline”/>
</layout>
</appender>
</log4net>

</configuration>
Then in the users profile, check the same values are correct, in the file /appdata/roaming/cognos/ccr/ccr.config.

Product:
Cognos Controller 10.3.1
Microsoft Windows 2016 Server
Cognos Analytics 11.0.9

Issue:
Standard reports in Cognos Controller does not work.

Possible solution:
You have to manually change the database connection string from SQLOLEDB to Native SQL.

Surf to Cognos Connection.
Go to old Administration page.
Go to Data Source.
Go to Set Properties for the connection.
Change the value and save it.

The Cognos Datasource connection string that is automatic created from Cognos Controller Configuration repair button creates non-supported data connections in CA11.

Above is the supported data sources in Cognos Analytics 11.

Product:
Cognos Controller 10.3.1
Microsoft Windows 2008 R2 server
Microsoft SQL database
Cognos Analytics 11.0.8

Issue:
When logging in to Cognos Controller 10.3.1 after a new setup some users get a error.
This setup is with 3 citrix servers and 3 controller application servers, where the controller functions is scaled out over the different controller application servers. On each citrix server the ccr.exe.config file point one of the controller application servers – to allow some kind of load balance to the controller applications server layer.
This is setup from this instructions:
http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21677206

Error message:
Error occured at 3/22/2018 8:18:10 AM in IBM Cognos Controller, Error No=5, Source=FrangoDirect.ConnectionDirect.SetSelectDb#System.Web.Services, Description=System.Web.Services.Protocols.SoapException: Server was unable to process request. —> System.Net.WebException: The request failed with HTTP status 404: Not Found.
at System.Web.Services.Protocols.SoapHttpClientProtocol.ReadResponse(SoapClientMessage message, WebResponse response, Stream responseStream, Boolean asyncCall)
at System.Web.Services.Protocols.SoapHttpClientProtocol.Invoke(String methodName, Object[] parameters)
at CCRRemoteServerProxy.Proxy.FrServerB.WSFrServerB.ConnectionBusiness_SetSelectDb(String sGuid, String sUser, Boolean bSelectDb)
at FrServerB.RemoteConnectionBusiness.SetSelectDb(String sGuid, String sUser, Boolean bSelectDb)
at FrServerB.ConnectionBusiness.SetSelectDb(String sGuid, String sUser, Boolean bSelectDb)

Possible solution:
The web.config file have not a correct servername for the ccrRemoteServer value, it can be a extra special character or something that make the “http” string not work. Test the string in Internet Explorer from the slave server – can it surf to the master server?

Enter this to get a response:
http://masterserver/ibmcognos/controllerserver/ccrws.asmx

If above does not solve it – check that you can from the client and server surf to;
http://masterserver/ibmcognos
http://caservername/ibmcognos

If you have CA11 on the same server as your cognos controller installation, then the caservername and masterserver is the same address.

The key setup point for more controller application servers is this;

On the Slave server:

• Browse to the ‘ControllerProxyServer’ folder (by default, this is located here: C:\Program Files\ibm\cognos\ccr_64\ControllerProxyServer)
• Open the file ‘web.config’ inside Notepad.exe
• Locate the section ‘<appSettings>’
• Add the following entry, inside that section:

<add key=”ccrRemoteServer” value=”

http://MASTERSERVER/ibmcognos/controllerserver

” />

Naturally, modify the value ‘MASTERSERVER’ with the name of your ‘master’ application server.

https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SS9S6B_10.3.1/com.ibm.swg.ba.cognos.ctrl_inst.10.3.1.doc/t_ctrl_loadballacing.html

Product:
Cognos Controller 10.3.1
Microsoft Windows 2008 R2 Server
Cognos Analytics 11.0.8

Issue:
After installation of a interim fix on top of a Cognos Controller 10.3 installation, some of the Cognos Controller windows services are missing.

Solution:
Here instructions on how to install a upgrade, on top of Cognos Controller.
http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg22001683

After the installation check that all Cognos windows services are in place.

If your are missing IBM Cognos Controller Java Proxy you should run this line from cmd:
sc create “IBM Cognos Controller Java Proxy” binpath= “d:\Program Files\ibm\cognos\ccr_64\server\CCRProxy.exe” DisplayName= “IBM Cognos Controller Java Proxy” depend= RpcSs start= demand

if you are missing IBM Cognos Controller User Manager you should run this line from cmd:
sc create frLicServer binpath= “d:\Program Files\ibm\cognos\ccr_64\server\FrLicServer.exe” DisplayName= “IBM Cognos Controller User Manager” depend= RpcSs start= auto

More Information:
http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21680801
http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21680788

http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21608353

Product:
Cognos Controller 10.3.1
Microsoft Windows 2012 R2 Server

Issue:
Error when you try to login to Cognos Controller client, after you have selected the database to use, and you have been logged in as a CAM user.

Error message:
System.Web.Services.Protocols.SoapException: Server was unable to process request. —> System.Exception: invalid_user

at Cognos.Controller.Proxy.SoapExtension.ServerExtension.ValidateCAMUser(SoapMessage& message)

at Cognos.Controller.Proxy.SoapExtension.ServerExtension.ProcessMessage(SoapMessage message)

at System.Web.Services.Protocols.SoapMessage.RunExtensions(SoapExtension[] extensions, Boolean throwOnException)

at System.Web.Services.Protocols.SoapServerProtocol.CreateServerInstance()

at System.Web.Services.Protocols.WebServiceHandler.Invoke()

at System.Web.Services.Protocols.WebServiceHandler.CoreProcessRequest()

— End of inner exception stack trace —

at Microsoft.VisualBasic.ErrObject.Raise(Int32 Number, Object Source, Object Description, Object HelpFile, Object HelpContext)

at Cognos.Controller.Common.RaiseErrCli.RaiseError(Int32 lErrNo, String sErrSource, String sErrDesc, String sErrHelpFile, Int32 lErrHelpContext)

at Cognos.Controller.Direct.ServerInfoD.GetServerInfo()

at CCR.AppContext.InitServerInfo()

at CCR.AppContext.Login()

Solution:
Login to your windows computer as a user who have rights to use Cognos Controller.
Then it will work. This user is not added inside Cognos controller, and therefor can not login.

Other solutions:
http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21692450

Product:
Cognos Controller 10.3.1
Microsoft Windows 2012 R2 Server

Issue:
An error occurred while trying to access the server when you start the Cognos Controller client and try to login.

Error message:
System.Web.Services.Protocols.SoapException: Server was unable to process request. —> System.ArgumentException: Requested registry access is not allowed.

at Microsoft.VisualBasic.ErrObject.Raise(Int32 Number, Object Source, Object Description, Object HelpFile, Object HelpContext)

at ControllerServerCommon.RaiseErrSrv.RaiseError(String sUser, Int32 lErrNo, String sErrSource, String sErrDesc, String sErrHelpFile, Int32 lErrHelpContext)

at FrServerB.LocalConnectionBusiness.SetSelectDb(String sGuid, String sUser, Boolean bSelectDb)

at FrServerB.ConnectionBusiness.SetSelectDb(String sGuid, String sUser, Boolean bSelectDb)

— End of inner exception stack trace —

at Microsoft.VisualBasic.ErrObject.Raise(Int32 Number, Object Source, Object Description, Object HelpFile, Object HelpContext)

at Cognos.Controller.Common.RaiseErrCli.RaiseError(Int32 lErrNo, String sErrSource, String sErrDesc, String sErrHelpFile, Int32 lErrHelpContext)

at Cognos.Controller.Direct.ConnectionDirect.SetSelectDb(Boolean bSelectDb)

at CCR.AppContext.SelectDb()

at CCR.AppContext.Login()

Solution:
In the IIS manager change the user account used by the Application pool that Controllerserver is using.

Start Internet Information Servers Manager
Go to Application pools
Select NET v4.5
Click on Advance Settings
Change Application pool identity to LocalSystem from ApplicationPoolIdentity
Click OK
Restart IIS services.

More information:
http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21691747

Product:
Cognos Controller 10.3
Microsoft Windows 2012 R2 server
Microsoft Excel 2010

Problem:
Some excel reports show 0 when updated with F9 or F10. No errors, but the numbers are not shown.

Possible workaround:
Change the xls filename to not contain any Swedish Characters (åäö) or turn off the use of Optimise2 (ERO).
Previous it have been known that space or apostrophe in the excel workbook name or worksheet name can give issues when using ERO reports.

To turn off ERO go to cell A1 in Excel;
Click the tab ‘Formulas’
Click ‘Name Manager’
Highlight the entry ‘ Optimise2’ (which refers to Sheet1, cell A1)
Click ‘Delete’
Save the worksheet and try again.

Create a support ticket with IBM Cognos Support to get a better solution to this issue.

More information:
http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21966485
http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=0&uid=swg21365263
http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21607230

Product:
Cognos Controller 10.3 (10.3.1.34-0)
Microsoft Windows 2012 R2 server
Microsoft SQL server 2014
Microsoft Excel 2010 or newer

Problem:
When start Excel from inside Cognos Controller client by press on the Excel icon or open data entry, you get a error message.

Error:
Cannot run the macro ‘cc.CompareDb’. The macro may not be available in this workbook or all macros may be disabled.
at Microsoft VisualBasic.CompilerServices.LateBinding.LateGet (Object o, Type objType, String name, Object[] args, String[] paramnames, Boolean [] CopyBack) at Cognos Controller.Forms.Common. fFmFrangoFunc.RunExcelMacro…

Solution:
Start Excel
Go to options in File menu
Go to add-ins
Click on Go at Excel Add-ins
UnMark a Adxloader.Controller.Excellink if it exists.
Click OK.
Exit Excel and Cognos Controller and try again.

Error:
Could not find c:\frangow\frangos.exe /automation. Check the file name is correct spelled and the path is correct…
at microsoft.office.interop.excel.workbooks.open(String filename Object UpdateLinks, object ReadOnly, Object Format, Object Password…
at Cognos.Controller.Forms.Common.fFrmFrangoFunc.InitExcelLink at Cognos.Controller:Forms.ControllerMDI.DoAction…

Solution:
Start Excel
Go to options in File menu
Go to add-ins
Click on Go at Excel Add-ins
UnMark a ControllerXL… line if it exists.
Click OK.
Should only be one line “Cognos Controller Link for Microsoft Excel”
Exit Excel and Cognos Controller and try again.

Product:
Cognos Controller 10.3 version 10.3.1.45 (Integration Version 10.3.1.19 Install/Udater Kit Version 10.3.1.36)
Microsoft Windows 2012 R2 server
Microsoft SQL 2014 database server

Problem:
When running a excel report or updating a excel form you get a error message. If you turn off ERO by remove the “Optimise2” name on cell A1 in the spreadsheet then it works. This is a upgrade installation from Cognos Controller 10.2.1 where it was no problem to run a ERO report in old version of Cognos Controller.

Error message:
System.Web.Services.Protocols.SoapException: Server was unable to process request. — System.Exception: Cannot bulk load because the file “xxx\xxx.tbl” could not be opened. Operating system error code 3(The system cannot find the path specified.). at Cognos.Controller.Proxy.CCRWS.ExcelLinkB_FetchValuesBulk(String sGuid, String sKeys, String sMcurr, Boolean bLocLang, string sUser, String sRep, Boolean bIsLnk, String sSortOrd, String sParams)
—End of inner exception stack trace—

Solution:
Ensure you leave the “server directory” field blank at Enhanced Reporting Optimizations tab in Controller Configuration.
With SQL databases the use of a directory folder in ERO, is not longer supported.

For Cognos Controller 10.3, there is less need to use ERO with SQL databases. But you still need to set it up for upgrading customers, so they can run there old Excel reports.

How setup ERO for SQL database:
Ensure that the SQL account used to access the Cognos Controller databases have Server Roles “bulkadmin” and “public”.
Ensure the SQL services is run by a windows domain account and not as LocalSystem.
Create a folder on your controller Windows server called d:\ero
Right click on the ERO folder and select Properties.
Click on Sharing tab.
Click on Advanced Sharing button.
Mark “Share this folder”
Enter the share name to be: ERO$
(The dollar sign make the share invisible for browsing users)
Click on Permissions button.
Click “Allow” at Full Control for user “Everyone” (or add the service account that should have access here).
Click Apply and OK.
Click Apply and OK.
Click on Security tab.
Click on Edit button.
Click Add button.
Enter the name of the service account and press Check Names button.
Click OK.
Click “Allow” at Full Control for the service account you just added.
Click Apply and OK.
By default members of the servers local Administrator group have full control to a folder. You can remove the users group to ensure other have no access.
Click Apply and OK.
Click Close. The share is created.

Open Controller Configuration.
Go to the Enhanced Reporting Optimizations tab.
Select the controller database from the connection drop down list.
Fill in for each database;
File Mode: File Copy
Server: the name of the server where the ERO share is — normally the controller server or the SQL server.
Share: the name of your share (e.g. “ERO$”)
Server Directory: Must be blank (empty). (if using Oracle you need to fill this in).
User ID: AD\service_account (the windows account that you have given read/write permission to the ERO network share)
Password: password for the above user — it is encrypted when you press enter.
Click on Save icon in Controller Configuration.

Ensure that the EXCEL spreadsheet that will use ERO does not have a space in there spreadsheets tab-name.
In the excel report that should use ERO , go to cell A1.
Click on Name Manager icon.
Enter the name to be Optimise2.
Save the change and spreadsheet.

Update the Controller values by pressing F9 in Excel, when you are logged in to the Controller database through the Controller Excel Link.

Other error messages:
Server was unable to process request. —- System.IO.IOException: The network name cannot be found.
Possible cause:
The ERO share does not exist, check that the folder is shared out and not misspelled in controller configuration.
Other error messages:
Server was unable to process request. —- System.ArgumentException: Access to the path “xxx\xxx\xxx.tbl” is denied.
Possible cause:
The user have only READ access to the share, make sure you have full access for the user doing the request.
Other error messages:
Operating system error code 5(Access is denied.)
Possible cause:
The user account doing the request have not the full access to the folder on hard disk. Check the NTFS rights on the ERO folder.

You define the Active Directory user to access the Windows file share in Cognos Controller Configuration. If this is left blank, the user running the COM object is used – in most cases it is “Local System” account on Windows server.

More Information:
http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21347048
http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21347757