Collecting data: for IBM Alphablox problems connecting to Essbase

Answer

In IBM Alphablox 8.4 and later, Alphablox does not distribute Essbase client libraries, so there are two important components to ensuring a successful connection between IBM Alphablox and Essbase data sources. You must configure Alphablox to point to the Essbase client libraries for the version of Essbase to which you are connecting, and you must also the version of EssbaseNative.dll or EssbaseNative.so which corresponds to your version of Essbase. Both of these actions are accomplished by running the ChangeEssbase tool provided with Alphablox.

Please note: Prior to attempting to connect to Essbase, make sure you have executed the Change Essbase utility to select the correct Essbase version and point to the corresponding Essbase client libraries. Alphablox must be restarted after the utility is executed. Instructions for this utility can be found here:

Alphablox version 8.4 Essbase Configuration Utility

Alphablox version 9.5 Essbase Configuration Utility

Collecting Essbase connectivity specific information


1. Version and build of IBM Alphablox, and version and fix pack level of Essbase.

2. Telnet trace of the error received during connection attempt. If possible, please use DHTML Query Builder to connect to the data source, rather than the "Test Connection" button in the data source definition:
Generating a DB2 Alphablox telnet trace for DB2 Alphablox Technical Support.

3. aassetup.bat (Windows) or aassetup.sh (Unix).
essbasesetup.bat (Windows) or essbasesetup.sh (Unix)
These files reside in the <alphabloxRoot>/bin directory.

4. A listing of the Operating System environment variables. Use the "SET" command at Windows command prompt, or the "PRINTENV" or "EXPORT" command on Unix to obtain the list of environment variable settings.

5. Recursive file listing of the directory defined as ARBORPATH within the essbasesetup.bat/sh file. Use the "dir /s" command for Windows or "ls -lRa" command on Unix to obtain the list.

6. Output from abxinfo.jsp, as described in this tech note:
Collecting data: DB2 Alphablox J2EE environment, session and request information

What to do next
Once you have collected the preceding information, you can begin reviewing the information to confirm that the expected directories and files are indicated, or simply submit the diagnostic information to IBM support.

For a listing of all technotes, downloads, and educational materials specific to IBM Alphablox, search the Alphablox Support Center.