BI4 Analysis Edition for OLAP on top of HANA

[Jochen_W]

Background

With Feature Pack 3 for BI4 a new OLAP data source (HANA) has been enabled. Which this feature user can now use Analysis Edition for OLAP directly on top of a HANA database. This article will describe what is needed to get this running from a BI4 point of view.

It is expected that you already have a user who has the necessary access to your HANA database and who can successfully run queries using the HANA Studio.
The description provided in this article covers a Windows based installation with application server Tomcat.

Requirements

• BI 4 installation with Feature Pack 3 installed
• corresponding HANA driver for the access to your HANA database revision is installed.
  (Please be aware that you should update the driver used by your BI4 system whenever you install a new patch on your HANA database.)
• A connectivity from your BI4 machine to your HANA database is possible so that there are no firewall port openings are missing.
  (use telnet to test)

How-to enable HANA OLAP connectivity

1. Check MDAS timeout in file
   C:\Program Files (x86)\SAP BusinessObjects\SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 4.0\java\pjs\services\MDAS\resources\com\businessobjects\multidimensional\services\mdas.properties
   
2. Stop APS (Advanced processing server which hosts MDAS service
3. Copy ngdbc.jar from your HANA driver (matching version) to
   C:\Program Files (x86)\SAP BusinessObjects\SAP BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 4.0\java\lib\external
4. Restart APS which has been stopped in step 2
5. Logon to CMC and go to OLAP connections
6. Create a new connection
   in the Provider field you should now be able to select "SAP HANA"

Steps to setup a HANA OLAP connection

1. Logon to the CMC
2. Go to OLAP connection
3. Navigate to the folder where the connection should be stored
4. Click on the create new connection button
   
5. Fill the form
   
   Notes:
   - Select "SAP HANA" as provider. If this entry is not listed check your configuration and restart your Tomcat.
   - You specify with the Authorication if you want to use dbuser / dbpass or a technical user.
   - If you do not select a single cube then the users can select the cubes when using the connection (you will only need one connection for a database)
6. Click on the Save Button
7. Logon to BI Launchpad
8. Start Analysis Edition for OLAP
9. In the Open Data Source Dialog your new connection should be listed.
   Select it and test the data access

Additional information

Additional information can be found in the "SAP BusinessObjects Analysis, edition for OLAP Administrator Guide" provided via help.sap.com

I wish you good luck

Jochen