System requirements

Use this information to ensure that your computer meets the minimum hardware and software requirements to run IBM® Cognos® Controller. The hardware requirements depend on your IBM Cognos environment. You may require additional resources, such as disk space.
Table 1. Client installation requirements
Requirement Specification
RAM

Recommended: 4 GB

Note: Although it is possible to run Controller using the minimum specifications, unless there are exceptional circumstances it is best to use at least the recommended specifications.
Table 2. Server installation requirements
Requirement Specification
Operating system Microsoft Windows 2008 R2 Enterprise Edition
RAM Minimum: 8 GB
Disk space Minimum: 4 GB
CPU Cores 4
Web server Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS)
Database for IBM Cognos Business Intelligence Content Store

Must be one of the following types:

  • Oracle
  • DB2®
  • Microsoft SQL Server
  • TCP/IP connectivity to Microsoft SQL Server
  • Sybase
Database for IBM Cognos Controller data

Must be one of the following types:

  • DB2
  • Oracle
  • Microsoft SQL Server
Database for IBM Cognos Controller datamart

Must be one of the following types:

  • DB2
  • Oracle
  • Microsoft SQL Server
Oracle Client Database

If you are using Oracle Client as a database, the following components are the minimum requirements:

  • Oracle Network Utilities
  • Oracle Database Utilities
  • SQL* Plus
  • Oracle JDBC/OCI Interface
  • Oracle Windows Interface
Note: You must install both the 32-bit and 64-bit client on the server.
Database for Financial Analytics Publisher

If you use Financial Analytics Publisher, then one of the following databases is required:

  • DB2
  • Oracle
  • Microsoft SQL Server
Web browser

Microsoft Internet Explorer

The following settings must be enabled:

  • cookies
  • JavaScript
  • Active scripting
  • Allow META REFRESH

Apple Safari requires JavaScript to be enabled
Reporting tool for Financial Analytics Publisher
  • IBM Cognos BI Studios
  • Other TM1® supported viewers
OLAP Engine IBM Cognos TM1
Other
Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5 or higher must be installed on the following computers:
  • Controller Client Distribution Server computer
  • Client computer

Microsoft .NET Framework 4.7.2 must be installed on the Controller Web Services Server computer.

Microsoft Excel must be installed on IBM Cognos Controller client computers.

Microsoft Excel is required only to use the IBM Cognos Controller Link for Microsoft Excel.

An SMTP server must be set up if Controller users want to use the automatic e-mail feature.

Adobe Acrobat Reader must be installed on IBM Cognos Controller client computers.
   
If necessary, install one of IBM Cognos Business Intelligence or IBM Cognos Analytics. The version must be as specified in the Software Product Compatibility Reports (http://www.ibm.com/software/reports/compatibility/clarity-reports/report/html/prereqsForProduct?deliverableId=5438B720AFE711E9A75C0935320290F5).
Note: If you are using Active Directory authentication for single sign-on and Cognos Controller Embedded Report Library for viewing standard reports, then installation of IBM Cognos Business Intelligence or IBM Cognos Analytics is optional.
The specific required components are listed in the following two tables:
Table 3. Cognos Business Intelligence server requirements
Requirement Description
Content Manager Contains content manager services that connect to the content store database
Application Tier components Contains report services
Gateway tier Used for web communication and reporting functionality
Table 4. Cognos Analytics server requirements
Requirement Description
Content repository Contains content manager services that connect to the content store database
Application services Contains report services and batch report services

Prerequisites

Before you begin configuration, ensure the following:

  • Microsoft .NET Framework 4.5 is installed on all client computers that run IBM Cognos Controller.
  • SQL 2010 client components are installed for the data mart functionality on all computers where Controller Web Services Server is installed.
  • Appropriate jdbc drivers are installed for both the content store and the Cognos Controller database.