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"An error occurred while trying ... Object reference not set ... RepNet.GetUserInfo" error launching Controller client, caused by TLS 1.0/1.1 disabled on CA server

Troubleshooting


Problem

User launches Controller client. An error appears.

Symptom

Screen:
image 2212
System.Web.Services.Protocols.SoapException: Server was unable to process request. ---> System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at Cognos.Controller.Proxy.ControllerReportNetService.RepNet.GetUserInfo(String sGuid, String sUser, String passportId)
at Cognos.Controller.Proxy.CCRWS.GetUserInfo(String sGuid, String sUser, String passportId)
--- End of inner exception stack trace ---
at Cognos.Controller.Forms.Common.Main.DoLoginCognos8(Form& frm)
at CCR.AppContext.DoLogin()
at CCR.AppContext.Login()
Event Viewer:
image 2213

Cause

There are several possible causes for similar errors.
  • See separate IBM Technotes for more examples.
This Technote specifically relates to the scenario where the cause is that the Cognos Analytics (CA) server has disabled access via the older TLS versions (1.0 and 1.1), therefore will only accept connections via TLS v1.2.
  • TIP: For more details, see separate IBM Technote #883036.

Environment

All of the following are true:
  • Controller has been configured to use CAM authentication
  • Controller configured to connect to Cognos Analytics (CA) server via HTTPS:
image 2211
  • Cognos Analytics server has TLS 1.0/1.1 disabled

Resolving The Problem

On the Controller application server, reconfigure .NET 4.0 to force it to use TLS 1.2.
Steps:
1. Logon to the Controller application server as a Windows administrator
2. Open the registry editor, by clicking on ‘Start’ menu and typing:    REGEDIT
image 2215
3. Navigate to the following path:     [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\.NETFramework\v4.0.30319]
4. Right-click on v4.0.30319 and select New –> DWORD (32-bit)
image 2217
  • Set the name to:     SchUseStrongCrypto 
  • Set the value to:     00000001

Document Location

Worldwide

[{"Business Unit":{"code":"BU059","label":"IBM Software w\/o TPS"},"Product":{"code":"SS9S6B","label":"IBM Cognos Controller"},"Component":"","Platform":[{"code":"PF033","label":"Windows"}],"Version":"10.4.2","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB10","label":"Data and AI"}}]

Document Information

Modified date:
28 January 2020

UID

ibm11283728

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