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Friday, April 13, 2012

EPM 11.1.2.2 Installation and Configuration - First Impressions Part 1

Yesterday I did an installation of some basic Oracle EPM 11.1.2.2 modules (HFM, Planning, Essbase) on a virtual machine running Server 2008 R2. Here are my thoughts about the installation and configuration process concentrating mainly on what's different compared to previous versions. If you want to install a sandbox environment on your own VM you should see the Rapid Deployment guides available on the EPM 11.1.2.2 Documentation Library site (there's one available for HFM, Planning and Essbase each).




Installation Media

As mentioned in the EPM 11.1.2.2 Installation Readme file the media downloads have been simplified. Unless you're installing some of the more exotic products like DRM, EAL or FCM you will need to download only the packages shown in the screenshot (parts 1-7 as needed  [check the Media Pack readme file], OHS assembly and client installers). These packages add up to around 10 GB to download from eDelivery.

Oracle EPM installation media on eDelivery

EPM System And Client Installers

The EPM System installer has mainly gone through small cosmetic changes. The prerequisites are still the same which means that UAC must be switched off when installing on Windows Server 2008. After launching the installTool.cmd (or .sh) you will be greeted by the splash screen which now also displays some status information on the bottom.

Errors about the prerequisites not being met are shown in a proper installer window instead of the auto-closing DOS box which was a bit annoying at times.

EPM Installer splash screen

EPM Installer error window

Most EPM clients can now be installed using a separate executable package (all supporting silent installations with command line options). The Client Installers package includes installers for the following products:
  • Disclosure Management Add-in 
  • EAS Console
  • Essbase (MaxL and Esscmd)
  • Essbase Spreadsheet Add-in
  • Essbase Studio Console
  • Financial Reporting Studio
  • HFM Client (includes Sample applications)
  • Offline Planning
  • Predictive Planning
  • Smart View
  • Strategic Finance Client

Financial Reporting Server has merged to the Financial  Reporting web application so you don't need to install and configure FR Print anymore. The FR web application handles the PDF conversion duties and does not need any virtual printers installed on the server.

EPM System Configuration

EPM System Configuration Utility looks the same compared to previous 11.1.2 versions. You start off by creating an EPM instance and configuring the Shared Service database:

Shared Services database configuration panel

To make your EPM System installation slightly more secure you can now change the native admin user's username to whatever you like:

Native admin username and password dialog

If you want to change the RMI ports used by Financial Reporting you can do this in the Configuration Utility:

Financial Reporting RMI port range

Essbase cluster configuration has seen some changes regarding the cluster setup. Note that Essbase now officially supports UNC paths as ARBORPATHs in active-passive cluster setups (with the following disclaimer added to the Installation Guide: "Oracle recommends SAN or a fast NAS device such as NetApp filers because of reduced I/O latency and failover times.")


HFM web and application server configuration tasks have not changed on the surface but the cluster information is now stored in Shared Services Registry rather than in the Windows registry. This means that all HFM app servers will pick up modifications done to the cluster configuration without having to repeat the changes on all servers.


Update (April 14th): I forgot to add a note about the changes made to the HFM web parts. During the HFM specific Configure Web Server task you select the web components that will be configured in IIS. The Financial Management Web Services IIS application (/hfmapplicationservice) was previously only required when installing Financial Close Management but in 11.1.2.2 it can be considered a mandatory component. The reason for this is the new ADF based HFM web application that uses Web Services for providing the HFM user interface in Workspace.


So just to clarify the roles of the HFM web applications deployed on WebLogic:
  • FM ADF web application (new in 11.1.2.2): Generates the HFM web UI that is displayed in Workspace. Connects to HFM via the HFM IIS Web Services application (/hfmapplicationservice).
  • FM Web Services: Web Services provider used by Financial Close Management. Also connects to HFM via the HFM IIS Web Services application (/hfmapplicationservice).



Web Application Deployment

The Deploy To Application Server task in EPM System Configurator now includes an option to deploy all applications to a single managed WebLogic server. This so called compact deployment method existed as a manual option in EPM 11.1.2.1 but the process has now been automated so that it only requires a single box to be ticked on the web application deployment panel. Single managed server means that web applications will be running under a single JVM and on Windows they are started using one Windows service.

Web application deployment options

Compact deployment reduces the overall memory requirement of EPM System and also cuts down on the web applications startup time. After testing Workspace, Shared Services, HFM, Planning, Financial Reporting I found the JVM process consuming around 1.4 GB of memory which is still significantly less than what the web apps would require when running with the normal JVM-per-app configuration. The single managed server deployment looks like a useful way to reduce the memory requirements for small-scale EPM installations such as one-server Development environments.

Windows Task Manager

There is also an option on the Configure Web Server panel where you can choose embedded WebLogic HTTP Server instead of Oracle HTTP Server. This is another way to reduce the EPM server footprint but it's worth noting that the embedded web server is not recommended for production use.



This concludes the first part of my EPM 11.1.2.2 observations. I plan on posting a second part soon where I show some interesting under-the-hood additions such as the Deployment Report tool and the embedded Enterprise Manager Fusion Middleware Control. Stay tuned!

24 comments :

  1. Great post Henri! We currently only use Interactive Reporting in our EPM environment. Other than .xslx and IE9 support, do you know of any compelling reason to upgrade from 11.1.2.1?

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  2. Thanks! As far as I know there is no added functionality in IR between 11.1.2.1 and 11.1.2.2 besides support for the new Excel format. If you want to verify this and to see changes made to other products you can use the EPM System Cumulative Feature Overview Tool available on Oracle Support (see the link at http://www.oracle.com/us/solutions/ent-performance-bi/technical-information-147174.html ).

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for sharing your observations. Look foward your second part.
    Br, Petri

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hello Henri,
    During the initial steps of installation, I extracted all the files to a single directory; except two (Oracle SOA Suite 11g Patch Set 5 (11.1.1.6.0) (Part 1 and 2)).
    During the extraction of Oracle Data Integrator 11g (11.1.1.6.0) for Generic, following 3 folders (DISK1, DISK2, and DISK3) created inside of that parent directory. Once I started extracting Oracle Identity Management 11g Patch Set 5 file; it overwrote so many files into those 3 folders (DISK1,2,3).
    Would you please tell me whether it was a correct thing happened or not; or what is the best way to extract all the files.
    Our organization needs Essbase, Planning, Reporting and Analysis, FDM and FM.
    I appreciate your help.
    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BTW - I forgot to mention that we are trying to install 11.1.2.2. Thanks.

      Delete
  5. Henri Vilminko,

    This should be a very use full and guide for all. Thanks for your efforts to show this.

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hello Henri,
    Recently i upgraded from 11.1.2.1 to 11.1.2.2 , all the products upgraded fine except EPMA Product
    Can you please post the Performance Management Architect (EPMA) Configuration of 11.1.2.2 , it will help me alot

    Thanks in advance

    G

    ReplyDelete
  7. Information was useful. I've Foundation, Planning and Essbase with Common components installed on a 8GB laptop using compact deployment and yet I could not see the RAM usage brought down. I didn't start each of them individually but used "Start EPM System" and it took more time to start all at once. Any thoughts?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks a lot for your guide and the explanation.
    may i ask you about how to install HFM/(FDM)ERPI on machine A and install FCM on a different machine,for example machine B?
    1.in this case,how to configure HFM server/cluster during configuration EPM?
    2.to configure ERPI,do i just need to use the schema of ERPI on machine A?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Could you provide installation and manual configuration for 11.1.2.2.We are using WebSphere(7) application server.


    kumar D

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hii Henry,
    I am installing EPM 11.1.2.2.I downloaded all 7 parts with HTTP server.when I am unzipping them all into one location, for some file it is asking for overwrite I said yes.

    My problem is while running the installer it is not recognizing Essbase only check box checked to foundation services can be installed. I guess my unzipping process went wrong.
    Please let me know the process of unzipping clearly.
    Thank you in advance..

    Ram

    ReplyDelete
  11. I have Hyperion 11.1.1.3 installed in VMWare workstation.
    I can't find Consolidation > Administration > Create Application menu under: Navigate > Administer > Classic > Application Administration.
    When I select Navigate > Administer > Classic > Application Administration I have only Planning Administration
    I know that there is something missing. What should I do to make Consolidation Administration > Create Application available?
    Regards

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This can happen if you have forgotten to perform the Configure Web Server task in EPM System Configurator after configuring the HFM components. Have you checked that you have done this and have the HFM entries in place in the OHS configuration files?

      Delete
  12. Hi

    I need to install 11.1.2.1 on windows 64 bit.
    Can anybody tell me what r the prerequisities for Essbase 11.1.2.1 for Windows 64 bit.

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I recommend you to check chapter 5 - Installation Planning Checklist in the EPM 11.1.2.1 Installation Start Here document: http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E17236_01/epm.1112/epm_install_start_here_11121.pdf
      The chapter describes the steps that need to be done before installing any EPM product.

      Delete
  13. Hi Henri,
    I am looking at installing Essbase, EAL with OBIEE. This will link into our current HFM Environment 11.1.2.1.600.
    All Applications are going to be installed on the one server (OBIEE, Essbase & EAL) & then link to the current HFM Environment.
    We want to keep OBIEE & Essbase separate to HFM Environment & replicate the HFM database over to Essbase using EAL so it can be used in OBIEE.

    I have a few questions relating to the installation & Configuration that you might be able to help with:

    1. Should the installation of Essbase be run first, then OBIEE & finally EAL?
    Essbase & OBIEE will have separate middleware homes as latest bundle of OBIEE 11.1.1.7 doesn’t support the current HFM version unless we upgrade to 11.1.2.3
    So I have had to download the latest version of OBIEE & Standalone version of Essbase & EAL that is compatible with our HFM Environment.

    2. Can EAL (ALS & DSS parts) be installed on the OBIEE Server under the EPM Home of Essbase & connect to HSS on the HFM Environment which is on another server?
    Financial Management Connector will be installed on the web application server of HFM so the bridge can be created between HFM & Essbase.

    Any information would be great. I haven’t been able to find anyone that has done this before or information relating to this setup.
    Thanks,
    Mark

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My thoughts on this:
      1. As far as I know the order you install the products in should not matter. Just make sure to install OBIEE and Essbase into separate MW homes.
      2. EAL Data Sync Server can be installed on the OBIEE server into the same EPM home with Essbase. The Analytics Link Server must be installed and configured on the EPM Foundation web server (where WebLocig Admin Server is configured). And the HFM Connector part should go on the HFM web server (which is often the same as the Foundation web server). Note that the role services "IIS6 Metabase Compatibility" and "IIS6 Scripting Tools" must be installed on the HFM web server before you configure the HFM Connector part in EAL.

      Delete
    2. Thanks a million for the information Henri,
      Thanks
      Mark

      Delete
  14. Hi Henri,
    I am getting errors the same errors what you shown in the first image.
    Can you please me on this how to get out of those errors.
    EPMINS-01001-One or more preinstallation failed.
    EPMINS-01087-Checking if the file exist and have read permission:c\downloads_location\setup.jar...Failed
    EPMINS-01098- User has to be a member of admin group
    and i am installing in windows 8.1 64bit


    Thanks
    Vijay

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. First of all - Windows 8.1 is not a certified platform for any EPM release at the moment. You should check the Certification Matrix document for supported server and client operating systems: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/middleware/bi-foundation/hyperion-supported-platforms-085957.html

      Delete
    2. Hi Henri,
      Thanks for replying me.
      Now im trying to install EPMA 11.1.2.2 in server 2012. its meet the all prerequisites.
      But i am getting an error EPMINS-01025-The host name resolved to an IP Address- (my IP Address) provides a host name.
      Can you please help on this how to set this issue?
      will this cause any issue afterwards?


      Delete
    3. If you want to do it for your own purposes you can try installing EPM software on Server 2012... But I wouldn't attempt an installation for a customer because the OS is not certified and therefore you will not get help from Oracle Support if you run into problems.

      Delete
  15. SOA 11.1.1.7 and ODI 11.1.1.6 can be is same middleware home?

    ReplyDelete

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