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'An error occurred... Could not update the configuration file' launching Controller plus "'MachineToApplication' beyond application level" error

Troubleshooting


Problem

User launches Controller client. User receives error #1. User clicks OK. User receives error #2 Administrator attempts to troubleshoot, by testing the Controller server website (for example http://cognosserver/cognos8/controllerserver/ccrws.asmx). User receives error #3.

Symptom

Error #1:

  • Controller 10.x:


Error #2
    Could not update the configuration file. Please contact your system administrator.

Error #3 - When accessing http://cognosserver/....ccrws.asmx:

The exact error will vary depending on Controller version and the operating system that the Controller application server is running:
  • Using Controller 8.5 and Windows 2003:


    • Server Error in '/' Application.
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Configuration Error
    Description: An error occurred during the processing of a configuration file required to service this request. Please review the specific error details below and modify your configuration file appropriately.

    Parser Error Message: It is an error to use a section registered as allowDefinition='MachineToApplication' beyond application level. This error can be caused by a virtual directory not being configured as an application in IIS.

    Source Error:
    Line 54: by Microsoft that offers a single logon and core profile services for member sites.
    Line 55: -->
    Line 56: <authentication mode="None" />
    Line 57: <!-- AUTHORIZATION
    Line 58: This section sets the authorization policies of the application. You can allow or deny access

    Source File: D:\Program Files\cognos\c8\ControllerProxyServer\web.config Line: 56

    Show Additional Configuration Errors: It is an error to use a section registered as allowDefinition='MachineToApplication' beyond application level. This error can be caused by a virtual directory not being configured as an application in IIS. (D:\Program Files\cognos\c8\ControllerProxyServer\web.config line 85) ----------Version Information: Microsoft .NET Framework Version:2.0.50727.1433; ASP.NET Version:2.0.50727.1433
  • Using Controller 10.1 and Windows 2008 R2:
    Server Error in '/' Application.
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Configuration Error
    Description: An error occurred during the processing of a configuration file required to service this request. Please review the specific error details below and modify your configuration file appropriately.
    Parser Error Message: It is an error to use a section registered as allowDefinition='MachineToApplication' beyond application level. This error can be caused by a virtual directory not being configured as an application in IIS.
    Source Error:
    Line 63: by Microsoft that offers a single logon and core profile services for member sites.
    Line 64: -->
    Line 65: <authentication mode="None" />
    Line 66: <!-- AUTHORIZATION
    Line 67: This section sets the authorization policies of the application. You can allow or deny access
    Source File: C:\Program Files (x86)\ibm\cognos\c10\ControllerProxyServer\web.config Line: 65
    Show Additional Configuration Errors:
    It is an error to use a section registered as allowDefinition='MachineToApplication' beyond application level. This error can be caused by a virtual directory not being configured as an application in IIS. (C:\Program Files (x86)\ibm\cognos\c10\ControllerProxyServer\web.config line 94)

[{"Product":{"code":"SS9S6B","label":"IBM Cognos Controller"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU048","label":"IBM Software"},"Component":"Controller","Platform":[{"code":"PF033","label":"Windows"}],"Version":"8.3","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB76","label":"Data Platform"}},{"Product":{"code":"SSMRTZ","label":"IBM Cognos Controller on Cloud"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU048","label":"IBM Software"},"Component":" ","Platform":[{"code":"","label":""}],"Version":"","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB76","label":"Data Platform"}}]

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Historical Number

1041381

Document Information

Modified date:
08 May 2025

UID

swg21367324

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