Staff Web

StaffWeb: UG | UW | WLU Libraries: UG | UW | WLU Campus: UG | UW | WLU (Choose TUG group) Administration Annex Info.Ser.Res.& Systems TRELLIS T D R ---------------- Access/User Services E-Journals G P Acquisitions Sci Selectors ---------------- ERL Cataloguing Journal Indexes MIS Web

Home Documents

Documents Contacts Search

TUG Statistics & Reports

Cognos Server Support

The TUG libraries collaboratively use the suite of Cognos business intelligence software to support their reporting and statistical needs. Access for most users is via the UpFront web interface. Desktop clients are also used by selected staff to develop complex Impromptu reports and to provide alternate access if the web interface is unavailable.

There are two Cognos web servers:

1. A production server (tugrprts.lib.uwaterloo.ca) is used for regular full-function access to Impromptu reports and PowerPlay data cubes.

   Hardware: Windows 2000 Intel 2.2GHz Xeon dual-processor P4 with 2 GB of RAM and six 20.5 GB hard drives (four drives, two mirrored)

2. A test/development server (reports.lib.uwaterloo.ca) is used for prototyping and testing purposes. This includes testing the installation of new software and patches before they are applied to the production server. It may also be used to provide backup access if the production server is down (e.g. during upgrades).

   Hardware: Windows 2000, 1 GHz single processor P3 with 768 MB of RAM and three 20 GB hard drives.

Cognos System Administrators: Gail Sperling (UW), Bill Halahan (UG)

Server location: University of Waterloo Systems Dept. (Porter Library, room 512C)

Hardware & software support responsibilities:

• Hardware & operating system: UW Library Systems Dept., Windows Server Administrators
• Cognos server software: Cognos System Administrators
• Cognos user accounts and security: Cognos System Administrators
• Cognos desktop client installation: local Library Systems Dept.
• Other physical infrastructure components such as UPS and network connections: UW Library Systems and UW IST Departments.

Level of support:
Support is provided during normal weekday working hours. In the event of extended downtime, alternate access to Cognos reports and data cubes is available via the desktop clients at selected workstations at each institution.

Problem reporting:
Server and connectivity problems are reported to a TUG Library Systems Dept. via the established local problem reporting procedure. The problem is confirmed by the local Systems support person and then communicated to the UW Library Systems Dept (519-888-4567 x 2405) or directly to one of the Cognos System Administrators. The Cognos System Administrator investigates the problem, initiates appropriate action to resolve the problem, and communicates with TUG Cognos users as needed.

Assistance in using the Cognos interface or resolving functional problems is available from any member of the TUG Reports Training Team.
[For current membership, see http://staff.tug-libraries.on.ca/trellis_reports/training/terms.html]

Backup & recovery:
Backups are run daily and a restore procedure has been developed [see “Cognos Web Server Backup and Restore Procedures”]