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IIS issues

  • 1.  IIS issues

    Posted Mon October 19, 2020 05:43 AM

    I am having issues where I can install 11.1.7, but when it comes to the IIS part, the batch file doesn't work, and IBM isn't fixing the problems with the individual steps page. How do I find out more IIS help?

     

    Vic Nicholls

    ODU Business Intelligence

     


    #CognosAnalyticswithWatson


  • 2.  RE: IIS issues

    Posted Mon October 19, 2020 10:31 AM
    Edited by System Admin Fri January 20, 2023 04:45 PM


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  • 3.  RE: IIS issues

    Posted Mon October 19, 2020 10:42 AM
    Hi,

    I did some changes to the application pool for for the URL rewrite. Is this URL application different from IIS? I've also never seen this ARR module. Is that something new that would have been affected by trying to set up 11.1.7?

    Thanks,

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    Vic Nicholls
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  • 4.  RE: IIS issues

    Posted Tue October 20, 2020 04:34 AM

    The 11.x external gateway for IIS is a reverse proxy logic.
    For IIS to become a reverse proxy, it needs the extra modules installed that Erik mentions.

    Only run the IIS config batch file after the modules are installed, otherwise it becomes a bit of a mess.
    If that is the case, use these cleanup steps first:
    https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/how-properly-clear-microsofts-internet-information-service-iis-configurations-setup-new-configuration-iis-support-ibm-cognos
    Then download the correct ARR modules. I personally use:
    requestRouter 3.0: https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=615136
    rewrite module 2.1: https://download.microsoft.com/download/1/2/8/128E2E22-C1B9-44A4-BE2A-5859ED1D4592/rewrite_amd64_en-US.msi



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    STEFAN VERMEULEN
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  • 5.  RE: IIS issues

    Posted Tue October 20, 2020 05:42 AM
    Erik,

    Where would we know to install these items or upgrade? What version of IIS does this apply to?

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    Vic Nicholls
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  • 6.  RE: IIS issues

    Posted Tue October 20, 2020 11:27 AM
    Hello Vic,
    It works for IIS 7 and later. For more information read the documentation on the site of IBM:
    https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/SSEP7J_11.1.0/com.ibm.swg.ba.cognos.inst_cr_winux.doc/t_inst_cnfg_iis7.html

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  • 7.  RE: IIS issues

    Posted Tue October 20, 2020 06:09 PM
    Hi Vic,
    I would recommend rolling back your gateway install entirely and following the steps I've outlined at the following link.  It is possible you are missing some key IIS features, and you need to be careful the order in which you complete the steps as well as your modifications to the update script.
    Hope this helps:
    https://intelalytics.com/blog-and-downloads/f/notes-on-installing-cognos-111x-in-a-windows-environment

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    Albert Valdez
    albert@intelalytics.com
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  • 8.  RE: IIS issues

    Posted Wed October 21, 2020 06:15 AM

    Hi,

     

    I will look at this. So IIS changes in the 11.1 versions? We have had 11.0 versions, that might explain why our attempts at 11.1 don't work at the IIS level.

     

    My boss told me not to use the script and do it manually.

     

    Vic Nicholls

    ODU Business Intelligence

     






  • 9.  RE: IIS issues

    Posted Wed October 21, 2020 06:40 AM

    Here are the steps for 11.1.x.
    https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/en/SSEP7J_11.1.0/com.ibm.swg.ba.cognos.inst_cr_winux.doc/t_gateway_iis.html
    IBM started shipping the script with the product as from 11.1.0
    Doing it manually is just adding complexity and chances of making mistakes.



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    STEFAN VERMEULEN
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  • 10.  RE: IIS issues

    Posted Wed October 21, 2020 10:03 AM

    Is there anything that shows an IIS server that has been around for a bit, with 11.0 on it and now putting on 11.1? Because I can't just tear up/rip up/uninstall 11.0 that would break for 11.1.

     

    Vic Nicholls

    ODU Business Intelligence

     






  • 11.  RE: IIS issues

    Posted Wed October 21, 2020 12:00 PM
    If you follow the steps in my document, you don't have to rip out IIS or anything, just make sure you have all the extensions/features that are mentioned.  adding features to an exiting IIS setup will not break anything.  You need to add the ARR module manually via the instructions, it is fully supported Microsoft extension.  If you are simply upgrading from an existing Cognos 11.0.x environment, you should have most of the requisite IIS configuration done, but maybe somebody from IBM can clarify if the over-the-top upgrade from 11.0 to 11.1 would require special steps for configuring IIS to accept the upgrade.  However, you should be able to start your Cognos setup on IIS over, meaning delete the existing Cognos applications and application pool on IIS.  These are re-created via the script, you can modify the parameters in the script to reflect your desired aliases and other environment-specific settings.

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    Albert Valdez
    albert@intelalytics.com
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  • 12.  RE: IIS issues

    Posted Wed October 21, 2020 12:32 PM
    When you say "you should be able to start your Cognos setup on IIS over, meaning delete the existing Cognos applications and application pool on IIS." does that mean that one instance or all our instances?

    Second I have gotten more out of you all than Cognos Support. They only told me to reinstall IIS, and that is not what you are saying here. I indicated IIS was working with 11.0 versions, and they couldn't tell me why they weren't working with 11.1.

    Vic

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    Vic Nicholls
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  • 13.  RE: IIS issues

    Posted Wed October 21, 2020 12:41 PM
    I would say wherever you have the Cognos GATEWAY component, these are the only servers where IIS would be relevant.

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    Albert Valdez
    albert@intelalytics.com
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  • 14.  RE: IIS issues

    Posted Thu October 22, 2020 05:30 AM

    "but maybe somebody from IBM can clarify if the over-the-top upgrade from 11.0 to 11.1 would require special steps for configuring IIS to accept the upgrade"

    The best practice is always to re-run the batch script delivered with the upgraded version.
    That file is tested in the lab with that specific version. The IBM webpage describing the manual steps may not always be in synch with the latest version of the batch file 100%.
    Using the batch file rules out any specific changes in IIS linked to the new version.

    Step 1: Clean out the old stuff according to the cleanup guide listed earlier. (sso, then ibmcognos, then ICApool, then 2 or 3 web.config files, then an iisreset)
    Step 2: Update your new batch script so that it matches exactly as your previous one was set, and run it.



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    STEFAN VERMEULEN
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  • 15.  RE: IIS issues

    Posted Thu October 22, 2020 02:14 PM
    Thanks Stefan!  Can you clarify what you mean by "iisreset"?  I assume you are just saying to re-start IIS, correct?  I think the concern is that by "resetting" IIS, this will cause external issues.  Thank you

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    Albert Valdez
    albert@intelalytics.com
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  • 16.  RE: IIS issues

    Posted Fri October 23, 2020 03:25 AM
    yes, iisreset is just the command line version of restarting iis.
    Both to result in making 100% sure changes are picked up and no caching issues are encountered.

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    STEFAN VERMEULEN
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  • 17.  RE: IIS issues

    Posted Mon October 26, 2020 05:48 AM
    Looking at all the answers (my PC was unavailable for 2 days), I was told to add in a URL rewrite function update, yet none of you mention this here. Is that not needed?  I understand the ARR manual is. 
    Does the IISreset get rid of any current other pools?
    Removing 2 or 3 web.config files. What ones are they?

    Thanks and sorry about the computer loss so I couldn't respond.

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    Vic Nicholls
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  • 18.  RE: IIS issues

    Posted Mon October 26, 2020 06:08 AM

    I did not mention a rewrite function update, as I am focussing on using the script shipped with the product, to minimize chances of errors.
    I take it your strong focus on manual changes, is due to the shared nature of your IIS server, and using the script is no option, then all i can do is point you to the documentation. I have no experience using manual steps since the last few years when the script quality became good.

    An iisreset command just stops and starts the IIS engine. It does not get rid of any other pools. 
    The removal of the correct web.config files is explained in the "correct removal steps" guide I linked earlier.



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    STEFAN VERMEULEN
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  • 19.  RE: IIS issues

    Posted Mon October 26, 2020 06:40 AM
    Thanks. I had someone else indicate that the URL rewrite function needed to be updated. The focus on manual changes is that is the request of my boss. I have indicated the comments made about the script and he still is interested in the manual effort compared to the script. I will indicate to him what you have said.

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    Vic Nicholls
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