FAQ for PPES plugins

Why was this change made?

Switching to a plugin model allows PPES to migrate to the latest installer, latest foundational technologies, and match all conformance and security standards of newer Cognos Analytics release(s) that PPES 11.0 may become paired with.

What happens to my existing, interoperating PPES nodes?

This install updates the Cognos Analytics dispatcher(s). It does not do anything to existing PPES nodes within your system. Older PPES nodes can be decommissioned and deleted.

Is a similar update being planned for PowerPlay Client?

Currently, this change affects only Powerplay Enterprise Server. In the future, PowerPlay clients may be moved to the newer Cognos Analytics installer and a more updated conformance. However no timeline is yet established for this.

Do older and existing 11.0 PowerPlay Clients continue to work with the newer PPES plug in nodes?

Yes. This scenario is supported.

Is PowerPlay adopting the Cognos Analytics release and support cadence going forward?

Somewhat, but not entirely. PowerPlay 11.0 is still the license version for these plugins. PPES and PPClient are both tested with each successive Cognos Analytics release, and are moving away from a 1-to-many model in relation to all Cognos Analytics releases, towards a 1-to-1 arrangement. The products are becoming more closely aligned in their numbering and delivery, to simplify kit selection and deployment, and to more readily support security and conformance requirements. PowerPlay 11.0 remains a separate offering from Cognos Analytics however, with its own separate lifecycle.

Any defect fixes impacting PPES going forward, will be issued as plugin style install kits only and propagated to all pluginversions as appropriate.