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Error 'HTTP 403 Forbidden - The website declined to show this webpage' when launching Controller

Troubleshooting


Problem

User launches Cognos Connection ([http://servername/cognos8]). User clicks on Controller icon. User receives error message inside Internet Explorer session.

Symptom

HTTP 403 Forbidden - Microsoft Internet Explorer
http://servername/cognos8/controller
HTTP 403 Forbidden
The website declined to show this webpage
Most likely causes:
This website requires you to log in.
What you can try:
Go back to the previous page.
More information

Cause

IIS virtual directory 'controller' has not been correctly configured on the 'gateway' server.

For example, it is (wrongly) configured for 'A directory located on this computer', and points to 'C:\Program Files\cognos\c8\webcontent\ccr'.

Resolving The Problem

Reconfigure the IIS virtual directory 'controller' so it points to the correct value.

For example, it should typically (correctly) be configured for 'A redirection to a URL', and points to something similar to '/cognos8/controllerbin/ccr.exe'.

Steps:

  1. Logon to the gateway server as an administrator
  2. Right-click on 'My Computer' and choose 'manage'
  3. Expand the IIS Manager section (near the bottom)
  4. Navigate to <machine name> - Web Sites - Default Web Site
  5. Expand the cognos8 virtual directory
  6. Right-click on the 'controller' virtual directory
  7. Select the 'A redirection to a URL' option
  8. In the 'redirect to' edit field, enter the appropriate value:

TIP:

[{"Product":{"code":"SS9S6B","label":"IBM Cognos Controller"},"Business Unit":{"code":"BU059","label":"IBM Software w\/o TPS"},"Component":"Controller","Platform":[{"code":"PF033","label":"Windows"}],"Version":"Controller (Frango) 8.3","Edition":"","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB10","label":"Data and AI"}}]

Historical Number

1041429

Document Information

Modified date:
15 June 2018

UID

swg21367338