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Verify System Requirements

Use the following table to check the minimum hardware and software requirements to install and run Cognos 8 components on one computer. Additional resources may be required for distributed or production environments.

Requirement

Specification

Operating system

Windows

UNIX:

  • Sun Solaris

  • HP-UX

  • IBM AIX

Linux

Some Cognos 8 components are not supported under Linux.

RAM

Minimum: 2 GB

Operating system specifications

File descriptor limit set to 1024 on Solaris (recommended)

Disk space

A minimum of 2.5 GB of free space is required to install the software and 1 GB of free space on the drive that contains the temporary directory used by Cognos components.

For Metric Studio, the size of the metric store will increase over time. Ensure that you have sufficient disk space for future requirements.

Web server

A Web server must be installed and started.

JRE

Java Runtime Environment (JRE)

JRE is installed automatically with Cognos 8 on Windows.

If you are using an application server, use the JRE that is installed with it, if it is supported in Cognos 8.

Database

Cognos Content Database can be installed and configured as the default content store database.

If you want to use another database, you must have one of the following databases available to store Cognos data:

  • Oracle

  • DB2

  • Microsoft SQL Server

    TCP/IP connectivity to Microsoft SQL Server

  • Sybase

For Metric Studio, the following databases are supported for the metric store:

  • Oracle

  • DB2

  • Microsoft SQL Server

    TCP/IP connectivity to Microsoft SQL Server

Web browser

For all Web browsers, the following are enabled:

  • cookies

  • JavaScript

For Microsoft Internet Explorer only, the following are enabled:

  • Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins

  • Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting

  • Active scripting

  • Allow META REFRESH

Other

For a terminal emulator to install Cognos 8 on UNIX, the emulation set to VT220 equivalent or better to ensure that the hot keys in the Installation wizard work

On Windows, Microsoft Data Access Component (MDAC) for use with product samples

If you want to email reports, the ability to use a mail server

SAP BW

The following SAP Front-End components installed on each Cognos 8 server computer:

  • SAP GUI

  • BW Add-ons