System requirements

Use this information to ensure that your computer meets the minimum hardware and software requirements to run IBM® Controller. The hardware requirements depend on your IBM Cognos® environment. You may require additional resources, such as disk space.
Table 1. Client interface 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 Controller data Microsoft SQL Server
Database for IBM Controller datamart Microsoft SQL Server
Database for Financial Analytics Publisher Microsoft SQL Server
Web browser

Microsoft Edge

The following settings must be installed:

  • cookies
  • JavaScript
  • WebView 2 Runtime
  • Active scripting
  • Allow META REFRESH

Apple Safari requires JavaScript to be enabled
Reporting tool for Financial Analytics Publisher IBM Planning Analytics
OLAP Engine for Financial Analytics Publisher IBM Planning Analytics
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 IBM Cognos Analytics. The version must be as specified in the Software Product Compatibility Reports (https://www.ibm.com/software/reports/compatibility/clarity-reports/report/html/osForProduct?deliverableId=904C014497DD46BF9566206FB566738A&osPlatforms=Windows&duComponentIds=S001%7CS002#).
Note: If you are using Active Directory authentication for single sign-on and Controller Embedded Report Library for viewing standard reports, then installation of IBM Cognos Analytics is not required.
The specific required component is listed in the following table:
Table 3. 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 Controller.
  • SQL 2019 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 Controller database.