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Windows Server Patch Breaks Legacy Cognos Transformer and Analysis Studio

  • 1.  Windows Server Patch Breaks Legacy Cognos Transformer and Analysis Studio

    Posted Tue February 27, 2024 02:26 PM

    If you are utilizing the legacy Cognos Transformer or Analysis Studio tools, be advised that the Windows Server security update from January 2024 (KB5034127) will render these tools inoperable in Cognos 11.X environments. Because these tools have been end-of-lifed, no IBM fix packs will be available to fix this problem. 

    Be sure to avoid applying the Window Server patch until you migrate to a new technology.



    ------------------------------
    Todd Schuman
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  • 2.  RE: Windows Server Patch Breaks Legacy Cognos Transformer and Analysis Studio

    IBM Champion
    Posted Wed February 28, 2024 04:10 AM

    Hi Todd,

    If you are a supported customer, you can download IBM CognosTransformer 12.0.2-23120816 or/and IBM Cognos PowerPlay Server 64-bit 12.0.2-23101618 / IBM Cognos PowerPlay Server 64-bit 11.2.4-22100709.

    I don't know which v11.x version you are using.

    Best regards,



    ------------------------------
    Patrick Neveu
    Collaboration Betters The World (CBTW)
    IBM Champion
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Windows Server Patch Breaks Legacy Cognos Transformer and Analysis Studio

    Posted Wed February 28, 2024 11:55 AM
    Edited by Wayne Westlake Wed February 28, 2024 11:56 AM

    Maybe it's edge cases?

    We're running 11.1.7 FP 6 on Win Svr 2016 and we got that patch as part of a cumulative update.  PowerPlay Server runs on that same server.  Transformer is running on a Win Srv 2022 server.

    Knock on wood, it hasn't caused any problems with Transformer or PowerPlay!



    ------------------------------
    Wayne Westlake
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  • 4.  RE: Windows Server Patch Breaks Legacy Cognos Transformer and Analysis Studio

    Posted Wed February 28, 2024 12:48 PM

    Hi Todd,

    Wondering where you read or heard that Transformer v11 was end of lifed?  They just released fix pack 8 for it due to security vulnerabilities.



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    Amy Rivito
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  • 5.  RE: Windows Server Patch Breaks Legacy Cognos Transformer and Analysis Studio

    Posted Wed February 28, 2024 03:57 PM

    From Cognos Product Management I received the link:

    https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/lifecycle/

    This is where clients can find information on products. If it's not shown here, it's not announced EOS yet.



    ------------------------------
    Kind regards,
    Henk Cazemier
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: Windows Server Patch Breaks Legacy Cognos Transformer and Analysis Studio

    Posted Thu February 29, 2024 11:24 AM

    11.x goes EOS / Extended Support (ie: lots more $$$) end of April this year.  So that's both 11.0 & 11.1.  11.2 goes EOS / Extended Support end of this year.  IBM's been sending warning announcements since late last fall.

    We plan to take our chances on 11.1 and start looking at 12 later this summer when it's a bit more stable and maybe upgrade this fall.  Every time we upgrade it ends up being a half a dozen or more support tickets to fix the bugs.  IBM just doesn't QC their products anymore.



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    Wayne Westlake
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  • 7.  RE: Windows Server Patch Breaks Legacy Cognos Transformer and Analysis Studio

    Posted Thu February 29, 2024 03:31 PM

    One correction. Only 11.1 goes EOS on April 30, 2024. There has not been an announcement on 11.2.



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    TREVOR COMEAU
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  • 8.  RE: Windows Server Patch Breaks Legacy Cognos Transformer and Analysis Studio

    Posted Thu February 29, 2024 05:28 PM

    Treavor, that's interesting.  I wonder if that changed for 11.2.x after the initial announcement?

    When we received the announcement letter regarding the ending of the Continuing Support program for 11.x products, links in it specifically listed 11.0.x and 11.1.x going into EOS April 30th 2024 and 11.2.x December 31st 2024.  That's why we never bothered to consider going to 11.2 since it only bought us 8 more months and we knew we'd be going through the support ticket hoopla.

    I've found the announcement letter on the IBM website (Cognos Analytics Continuing Support) but nearly all the links in it are broken.  If I specifically search for 11.2 I see now there is no EOS announcement, as you mentioned.

    11.1 was supported for 6 years, but that was on the Continuing Support program that has been discontinued.  So what are we thinking with 11.2?  What it says on the product lifecycle page?  "Lifecycle policy Continuous Delivery (C): minimum 2 years support with extension of 1 year".   

    So most likely EOS 2025?



    ------------------------------
    Wayne Westlake
    ------------------------------



  • 9.  RE: Windows Server Patch Breaks Legacy Cognos Transformer and Analysis Studio

    Posted Fri March 01, 2024 08:54 AM

    Hi Wayne,

    This is the info I usually reference to clients. I don't receive of any alerts that are sent out externally so I can't comment on those.

    CA 11.1
    https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/1177936
    CA 11.2
    https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/6433583

    Best regards



    ------------------------------
    TREVOR COMEAU
    ------------------------------



  • 10.  RE: Windows Server Patch Breaks Legacy Cognos Transformer and Analysis Studio

    Posted Thu February 29, 2024 03:41 PM

    Hi Todd,

    Can you please tell me which versions you are using? We'd like to do some testing here at IBM.

    Thanks,



    ------------------------------
    TREVOR COMEAU
    ------------------------------



  • 11.  RE: Windows Server Patch Breaks Legacy Cognos Transformer and Analysis Studio

    Posted Thu February 29, 2024 03:59 PM
    Edited by Todd Schuman Thu February 29, 2024 03:59 PM

    Hi Trevor, 

    Here are the cmplst.txt files for CA Server and Transformer.  (I sent the file outputs to Rachel if you need more)

    Transformer:

    [Product Information]

    LICENSE_BI_TRSFRMR_version=LICENSE_BI_TRSFRMR-AW32-ML-RTM-10.2.1058.0-0

    LICENSE_BI_TRSFRMR_name=IBM Cognos License

    SWTAG_BI_TRSFRMR_version=SWTAG_BI_TRSFRMR-AW32-ML-RTM-11.1.0.1135-0

    SWTAG_BI_TRSFRMR_name=SWTAG Transformer

    COGTRAPP_version=COGTRAPP-AW32-ML-RTM-11.0.0.555-0

    COGTRAPP_name=IBM Cognos Transformer

    [Product Update Information]

    [Main Applications]

    COGTRAPP_version=C8-AW32-ML-RTM-11.0.0.555-0

    COGTRAPP_name=IBM Cognos Transformer

    C8CRN_version=C8-AW32-ML-RTM-11.0.0.555-0

    C8CRN_name=IBM Cognos

    COGTRAPPS7_version=C8-AW32-ML-RTM-11.0.0.555-0

    COGTRAPPS7_name=Transformer S7

    [Cognos Applications]

    CA Server

    Operating System: Windows Server 2019

    Operating System Architecture: x86

    Operating System Version: 10.0

    kit_version=11.1.7-2304260612

    Manifest=casrv-manifest-11.1.7-2304260612-winx64h.json

    Installer=analytics-installer-2.2.27-win.exe

    Product_version=11.1.7

    install_type=Custom

    selected_features=FTR_APPTIER,FTR_DATATIER,FTR_GATETIER



    ------------------------------
    Todd Schuman
    ------------------------------



  • 12.  RE: Windows Server Patch Breaks Legacy Cognos Transformer and Analysis Studio

    Posted Fri March 01, 2024 09:05 AM

    Hi everyone,

    Hope your week's been going great!

    We have not been able to reproduce the issue Todd mentioned above in house. At this moment, it is not a known product issue to us. Todd, could you please log a support ticket with us for further troubleshooting? We tested the version you are on with the Windows version and patch level you mentioned so far. There might be other things missing. 

    In terms of versioning and EOS, Cognos Analytics 11.1.x stream will EOS April 2024. This has been previously announced.

    The EOS date for Cognos 11.2.x stream has not been determined. Once it's announced, customers will have minimum of 12 months to get base support still. 

    Regards,

    Rachel Su



    ------------------------------
    RACHEL SU
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  • 13.  RE: Windows Server Patch Breaks Legacy Cognos Transformer and Analysis Studio

    Posted Fri March 01, 2024 09:30 AM

    Thank you Rachel & Trevor for the EOS clarifications!

    We've decided to go ahead and start testing on 11.2.4 FP3 (latest I found).  It will be a far easier step for us than to try to go to 12.x from 11.1.7.

    Best regards,

    Wayne



    ------------------------------
    Wayne Westlake
    ------------------------------



  • 14.  RE: Windows Server Patch Breaks Legacy Cognos Transformer and Analysis Studio
    Best Answer

    IBM Champion
    Posted Fri March 01, 2024 09:37 AM

    Hi Wayne,

    Just a short note. As this time, you can NOT upgrade your 11.2.4 FP3 Cognos Analytics content to version 12.0.0, 12.0.1, or 12.0.2.

    You will be able to upgrade from 11.2.3 FP3 to 12.0.3 (or later).

    You can read the full story in this page: 

    https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/cognos-analytics/12.0.0?topic=120x-release-1202-january-2024

    Best regards,



    ------------------------------
    Patrick Neveu
    Collaboration Betters The World (CBTW)
    IBM Champion
    ------------------------------



  • 15.  RE: Windows Server Patch Breaks Legacy Cognos Transformer and Analysis Studio

    Posted Fri March 01, 2024 09:44 AM

    Hi Patrick!

    Good to know, thanks! 

    I expect by the time we plan to move to 12, 12.03 or later will definitely be out.  There really aren't any new features of 12 we're interested in - actually same went with 11.2, so we just move forward due to the cycle of forced obsolescence!

    Thanks again!

    Wayne



    ------------------------------
    Wayne Westlake
    ------------------------------