IBM Support

"An attempt to connect to the data source failed" when running Standard Reports, due to 'Data Source' not saved correctly in content store

Troubleshooting


Problem

User tries to run any 'Standard Report' (for example 'Maintain - Account Structure - Run'). User receives message, asking for password.

Symptom


Type a user ID and password
An attempt to connect to the data source failed.
* Indicates a required field.
=> Points to missing information.
Data source:
sqlncli11.1:<sqlservername>:<databasename>:<SQL_Login>

User ID:
Password:

[OK] [Cancel]

Cause

There are several potential causes for similar errors.

  • For more examples, see separate IBM Technote #1347848.

This Technote specifically relates to the scenario where the 'Data source' configuration/settings (stored inside the Report Server's (BI) content store) is invalid.

Example:
In one real-life customer example, the cause is because the I.T. department changed the password for the user (SQL login) that was used to connect to the database server.

Resolving The Problem

Modify (or delete/recreate) the 'bad' data source(s).

Steps:
1. Launch Cognos Connection.

  • TIP: By default, this is the URL ://servername/ibmcognos

2. If prompted, click "Administer IBM Cognos content":


3. Click tab "Configuration" - "Data Source Connections":


4. Highlight all of the data sources that relate to Controller standard reports
  • Make sure that you do *not* delete any non-Controller data sources!

TIP: There should be one data source for each Controller database connection.
  • In the following example, there are 5 database connections:

  • In this example, therefore, only select the 5 connections (that relate to those entries):

5. Click 'Delete'
6. Click OK

7. Inside 'Controller Configuration' click the green 'Tick' button
  • The 'Repair' button should now appear:


8. Click 'Repair'
9. Test.

[{"Product":{"code":"SS9S6B","label":"IBM Cognos Controller"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU059","label":"IBM Software w\/o TPS"},"Component":"Controller","Platform":[{"code":"PF033","label":"Windows"}],"Version":"10.2.1;10.2.0;10.1.1;10.1","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB10","label":"Data and AI"}}]

Historical Number

1028896

Document Information

Modified date:
15 June 2018

UID

swg21346672

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