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Cognos Analytics 11 SSAS pass-through Authentication and SSO with Kerberos

By ANTONIO MARZIANO posted Tue September 17, 2019 04:22 AM

  
There are a lot of use cases where it can be challenging to configure SSO to Cognos Analytics and then Pass-Through Authentication to SSAS (SQL Server Analysis Services) Cube Datasource without being prompted, all via Kerberos Authentication.

So, here I've outlined the changes I've made to successfully set this up in a lab environment and share all the configuration settings to achieve this successfully.

Environment:
MSSQL/SSAS 2016 Server: WinEndorLab1.CASUPPORT.SUPPORT2016.AD.HURSLEY.IBM.COM
CA 11.1.2+ Server: CHOIRS1.CASUPPORT.SUPPORT2016.AD.HURSLEY.IBM.COM
Client - Windows 10: Strews1.CASUPPORT.SUPPORT2016.AD.HURSLEY.IBM.COM
AD Domain: CASUPPORT.SUPPORT2016.AD.HURSLEY.IBM.COM
Service Account: CASUPPORT\CAService
OS: Windows 2016
Test user: User1

Part 1 - User Authentication via SSO with Kerberos

NB: From 11.1.2+ the IIS Script to configure the gateway is now found in the installation <install>\cgi-bin\templates\IIS\CA_IIS_Config
NB: When editing the script, ensure SSO is set to "True"

1. IIS configurations

IIS_Part1.png

IIS_Part2.png

IIS_Part3.png
IIS_Part4.png

IIS_Part5.png

IIS_Part6.png
AD Namespace

AD_Namespace.png

2. SPNs

Service Account running Cognos Analytics - CASupport\CAService
CAService.png
Gateway Server - CHOIRS1$ is the SAME Server running IIS and CA
CHOIRS1.png
To Configure Kerberos for SSAS Server download and install 'Microsoft® Kerberos Configuration Manager for SQL Server'

https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=39046

You can download it onto the same SSAS Server or another machine, in this case it was installed on the same server.

Run the tool and if its run locally (optional) then just click  the "Connect" button

SSAS_Kerb_Config_UI_1.png
Though now this is configured correctly, initially there will be the option to "Fix" each of the SPNs listed. Just select "Fix" for each one.

SSAS_Kerb_Config_UI_2.png

Click on the "Delegation" tab and make sure that Trust for delegation has been granted as you can see below:

SSAS_Kerb_Config_UI_3.png
Check SPN's for WinEndorLab1 (SSAS) which would have been updated due to the above configuration tool.

WINENDORLAB1_SPN.png
Delegation
WINENDORLAB1_TRUS.png

Part 2 - SSAS Datasource Configuration

1. Log into CA and create a new datasource connection 'Microsoft Analysis Services 2016 (ODBO)' and select "Namespace"

Datasource1.png

2. Test the connection as the user logged in i.e. User1 and NOT as System Administrator

Part 3 - SSAS Security Settings

1. Open SSAS Management Console from the SSAS Server, navigate to the Roles and create a new Role

SSAS_Part1.png

2. Add all the users required to gain Read Access to the cube

SSAS_Part2.png

NB: We will be using AD User 'User1' for SSO and pass-through authentication to the SSAS Cube

3. Select 'Data Sources' and make sure the Access is set to "Read"

SSAS_Part3.png

4. Click on "Cubes" and make sure you set the Access to "Read"

SSAS_Part4.png
5. Go to the Datasource Section

SSAS_Part5.png
6. The Connection String section would be containing the host/catalog/database for the SSAS cube. The "Impersonation Info" is set to "Use the Service Account"

7. Log into the Windows 10 Client Machine (Strews1) as User1 and SSO into CA as User1, create and run a simple crosstab

SSAS_xtab.png



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Sun February 16, 2020 02:01 PM

wow, it is a really a great tip, thanks!