Enabling the 64-bit version of report server

You can choose to use a 32-bit or 64-bit version of the report server component. To use the 64-bit version, you must enable it using IBM® Cognos® Configuration. The default option is 32-bit.

A 32-bit report server can be used with both dynamic query mode and compatible query mode packages. A 64-bit report server can be used only with dynamic query mode packages.

The report server works with the query service. The query service is the engine that powers the dynamic query mode and dynamic cubes. In a 64-bit installation, the query service is 64-bit regardless of whether the report server component is configured to be 32-bit or 64-bit.

Using the 64-bit version of the report server allows more addressable memory for rendering report outputs. For example, out-of-memory conditions during the rendering stage of running a report can be avoided. It is only large report outputs, for example PDF reports with more than 1 thousand pages that require the 64-bit version of the report server component.

You must use the 32-bit version of report server for packages that do not use dynamic query mode. For example, if your package is based on IBM Cognos PowerCubes, you must use the 32-bit version of report server.

If you have multiple Application Tier Components instances in your environment, you can set one instance to use the 32-bit report server. You can then use routing rules so that report requests for non-dynamic query mode packages are routed to the instance that is running the 32-bit version of report server. For more information about routing rules, see the Administration and Security Guide.

To enable the 64-bit version, you must install the 64-bit version of the Application Tier Components on a 64-bit computer. If you install the 32-bit version of the Application Tier Components or are using a 32-bit computer, do not enable the 64-bit report server.