Step by Step PHASE-WISE Installation in SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence (BI) platform 4.2 when updating/patching the BI 4.x.
What is PHASE-WISE ?
Phase-wise installation of BI 4.2 installer You can now perform the installation of BI platform 4.2 in two phases – Caching and Installation after caching.
During caching the system downtime is eliminated, which reduces the overall system downtime.This will save your time and more importantly if you have issues in INSTALL-DATA folder or any files or any issue which may arise during the update because of Cache will be minimized and your main server update will be unaffected.
Pre-requisites before proceeding :
- Ensure you take the necessary backup of CMS database and Filestore for safe side using KBA-1275068 – Backup and restore BusinessObjects Enterprise XI 3.x / BI 4.x system from one environment to another.
- Follow BEST practice KBA- 1952120 – SAP BusinessObjects (XI 3.1 and BI 4.0) Installation pre-requisites & best practices / KBA-1757132 – BI4 Support Pack Upgrade and Patch Install Best Practice Guide
- Download the correct setup for SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence (BI) platform UPDATE from Support and Patches section in SMP ( Service Market Place)
- Applicable for BI 4.2 Installers and should not be tried with BI 4.0/4.1 products.
- VERY IMPORTANT : If updating the Server from BI 4.1 ensure to check the licensee policy and requirement using link : BI4.2 New License Key Requirement when updating from BI4.0/BI4.1
Step by Step Update using Phase-wise installation method in BI 4.2
- Navigate to command prompt ( Elevated Mode : Run as Administrator ) & Enter the location where the software is downloaded.
- Enter the setup.exe -cache <path><file name>.
- Here I have Created “phaseresponse” folder for it : setup.exe -cache c:\phaseresponse\response.ini
In the Installation wizard window, review the instructions displayed.
“In the License Agreement window, review and accept the license agreement.In the New License Key Requirement window, review the contents of the New License Key Requirement, and select the check box I have read the documentation and understand the process to request the new license
key, and agree to add the new license key after update installation, and choose Next Note When you update your system from Business Intelligence Platform 4.2 SP1 or earlier versions to Business Intelligence Platform 4.2 SP2 or higher versions, the existing licenses behave as invalid licenses. You need
to request a new license key for Business Intelligence Platform 4.2 update from SAP Service Market Place, visit https://support.sap.com/keys-systems-installations/keys.html For more information on how to request a new license key, visit http://scn.sap.com/docs/DOC-70095 “
After you update your system to Business Intelligence Platform 4.2 update, you must logon to Central Management Console; delete the old license key and add the new license key. Alternatively, you can run the script to delete the license keys. For more information on how to delete the license key through the script,see SAP Note 227613 Until you add the new license key in Central Management Console, certain servers are in disabled state.Once you add the new license key, navigate to Servers window, enable those servers which are in disabled state.
For more information, see Business Intelligence Platform Administrator Guide
- In the Existing CMS Deployment Information window, enter the CMS Logon Administrator Information password.
- Start Installation window apperars, To start caching, choose Next.
- Caching completed successfully screen appears. !!! Please note this Windows will be minimized in Task Bar So Please check it or it will appear that installer is hung”
During the caching process the system downtime is eliminated and servers can be up and running during this process and no changes to done.
Step by Step Starting the update :
- Once the response file is generated and caching is done then you can follow the Best practices KBA mentioned in the Pre-requisites. THIS WILL REQUIRE THE DOWNTIME AND UPDATE STRATEGY WE FOLLOW”
- Navigate to the directory where response.ini file is located.
- Edit and Enter the Remote CMS Administrator Password and save the response.ini file.
- Navigate to command prompt.Enter the location where the software is downloaded.
- Enter the setup.exe -resume_after_cache <path><file name>.
- Here I have Created “phaseresponse” folder for it : setup.exe -resume_after_cache c:\phaseresponse\response.ini
- In the Resume installation window, choose OK
In the Post Installation Steps window, follow the instructions and choose Next
The installation of SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence Platform 4.2 update is completed successfully.
Note
● You can experience the system downtime only during the installation after caching, hence the overall
system downtime is reduced.
● After you start the installation, the installer repairs any errors that occurred during the caching and
proceeds with the installation.
_MAHAK
good work.... informative document Mahak Rathore.....thank you for sharing this 🙂
Your appreciation gives me great encouragement to do better. Swapnil Yavalkar
Regards
Mahak
Hi Mahak ,
Thanks for this Awesome Guide to perform the upgrade.
We are upgrading from 4.1 SP3 to 4.2 SP2 , Followed the same steps as you have mentioned.
After the install was done on the Server hosting the CMS.The last screen said " installation completed with warnings" , Looked into the Setup Engine logs , I see this error (screenshot attached) among other messages in the log file.
Could you please help us out ?
Thanks
Meera
HI Meera,
Thank you for acknowledgement and glad you tried this new feature.
As per my understanding this is unable to upload the DFO files.
Can you please do below steps :
Most importantly check if all the servers are up and running and everything is working fine or not.
regards,
Mahak
Hi Mahak,
thank your for the information. Will the pre-cache only be supported by BIP updates or also by Design Studio BIP Add-On, Lumira BIP Add-On and BO Analysis Scheduling Add-On?
Regards,
Michael
Hi Michael,
Thank you for asking this important question.
I am in process of testing this and update you ASAP.
Regards,
Mahak
Hi Michael,
Tested this with Design Studio and Explorer and they works fine with it. Rest still in progress.Will keep you posted.
_MAHAK
Thanks making this useful blog Mahak Rathore
Good job Mahak. This is really useful. 🙂
Good job Mahak. Informative !! 🙂 😎
Thanks Mahak, nicely done.
Thanks for contributing this article Mahak. Good job!
Thank you Everyone for your support. 🙂
Good Job Mahak! Thank you for the information very helpful.
Mahak,
Your instructions start off with the setup.exe already expanded to a certain directory, but what if I'm doing the upgrade with BIPLATSVR4202_0-80001044.exe. There is no setup.exe. Is it still possible to use this method?
@Terence - no, method above only works with extracted install source. BIPLATSVR4202_0-80001044.exe - is a self extracting RAR archive, which simply runs setup.exe after it extracts itself into your default temp dir.
Best practice is to extract it to special location first, then run setup.exe with or without new options.
As it is a RAR archive, install winRAR, right click on BIPLATSVR4202_0-80001044.exe and select extract to ....
It is always advisable to extract the installation media first. This allows you several advantages.
1) You do not risk running out of disk space during the extraction since you can control directly where the extracted media lands.
2) if there is an error you know immediately whether it is due to the extraction process or the setup process
3) saves time during install because you do not have the extraction happening first during the system outage
4) allows you to shorten and name the path to setup exe. The extracted media as delivered is sometimes too long to be used by the OS. Instead of something like this:E:\Software\BI 4.2\Upgrade\BI Platform 4.2\BI 4.2 Full Install\51050614_part1\51050614\DATA_UNITS\BusinessObjectsServer_win
You can shorted it to:
E:\Software\BI 4.2\4.2.2_Patch\
This avoids errors related to the path and file name exceeding OS limits.
So, it is always best to extract the install media, no matter what OS, as a separate step, and then shorten the path to setup.exe or setup.sh.
Do I get this right? To use the Phase-wise Installation I need to extract the install.exe file first - by means of installing win rar ?
wobi wondering...
No, but it is beneficial to do so. This applies to any kind of install mode, not just phase wise.
the catch is to install a unrar tool ... that does not make me happy - some sap delivered exe do allow extraction to a Folder first and then you can start the actual Setup. The SP3 update for example does not - so ... ➖
unrar/winrar is essential tool to have on any machine...
same with something better than notepad 😉
on remote customer Servers ... i prefer them keeping clean as possible
What I will frequently do is run the exe that does the extraction. I will extract to a "RARSFX..." folder somewhere under C:\users\<current user>\AppData. Note that AppData is a hidden folder, so you'll have to tell Explorer to show hidden folders. After the extract is done, the install screen will appear. Do nothing yet with the install. Instead copy the folder with the contents of the unpacked exe and rar to another location. This is all of the install files. Then you can either finish running the install or cancel it. If you cancel it, it will remove the original RARSFX... folder and its contents. If you continue with the install. the folder will disappear after the install is complete.
If you run the install from the copied files, it will not delete the folder.
-Dell
Dear Dell - thanx for this .. could be helpful;
my wish would be that all the install-exe files give the chance to define the extraction path - because some already do - so why not have all to do the same?
- wobi
HI Wolfgang,
About the extraction part check the below article and screenshots are attached : http://scn.sap.com/docs/DOC-74228
Regards,
Mahak
Hi Terance,
I believe you got perfect answer and explanation by Denis Konovalov & Doug Bonomo.
Regards,
Mahak
Mahak,
Staying on the same subject of extracting the RAR before running ... I'm trying to install the 4.2 SP3 and it has 2 files (BIPLAT4203_0-80001044_P1.exe and P2.RAR). Would I need to extract both files? If so, would both files need to be extracted to the same folder? I'm wondering if P2.RAR will overwrite P1.exe files when I extract the second set of
HI Terance,
Best Explanation I have provided with screenshot for your query in my Step by Step Document Part2 : http://scn.sap.com/docs/DOC-74228 (Step-by-Step Guide to install SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence (BI) platform 4.x on Windows OS with Best Practices (PART 2))
Regards,
Mahak
that is a 2 part rar archive, extracting from first part automatically extracts second.
So, no - you only need it once.
Can someone please share queries to do the following
1. Promote A root Folder with all of its contents (i.e objects/ subfolder(s))?
2. Promote only 1 type of objects in a folder i.e (All Crystal Reports only)
Here is what I tried for the Folder/Objects
Hi Abdul,
Please check : 1873184 - How to promote all content under a given folder using LCM command line interface.
Regards,
Mahak
We would like to use PHASE-WISE 4.2 feature while upgrading/patching BI 4.2. Need your help to answer following question:-
Following is the sequence we are going to follow to perform 4.2 version upgrade from BO4.1 SP06 patch 3.
Can we cache base version of 4.2 , SP02 and then patch 1 together and install all 3(Base 4.2, SP02 and Patch 1) together ? or do we need to do it one by one?
Thanks and Regards,
Hi Sachin,
Glad to know you are looking forward to use this new feature.
Below are the answers to your queries :
Regarding the caching all of them and then applying them in one go will not be a good option because what we generally recommend is to first apply the service pack / patch and then once it is applied then enable all the servers and check if all are working absolutely fine. If there is some issue then fix it first and then proceed with another one.
One recommendation please ensure you follow the best practice and mainly the licensing stuff as mentioned in the prerequisites mentioned.
Regards,
Mahak
Good One Mahak, Thanks
I saw this feature in Admin guide but nice to see the proof!!! Thanks!!
Thank you Sivakumar for your acknowledgement. 🙂
Regards,
Mahak
Question on PHASE-WISE Disk Space Pre-req
PAM BI 4.2 shows Recommended Disk Space Requirements as 11GB. What I've yet to locate is space requirements that show using the Phase-wise to store caching files. Can someone supply SAP recommendations or their personal findings for PHASE-WISE disk space requirements.
Thanks
HI Monte,
Phase wise is just a new method of updating the server. The minimum requirement which si mentioned in the PAM which is 11 GB correct but as in practical scenario you should have 20 GB+ available.
If the file store is on the same drive then probably much more not because it will update but you IFRS and OFRS get populated frequently due to schedules and stuff too.
Regards,
Mahak
I started the upgrading BI4.2SP2 to BI4.2SP3 via phase-wise installation in GUI mode and completed successfully. I haven't created any folder before starting the Phase-wise installation. Where will the response.ini file will be created ? Please let me know.
Thanks
Arun
HI Arun,
Thank you for update. I am just in process of creating the Article for Phase Wise in GUI and will be released today only.
Also, You don't need a response file in GUI . Once the Phase wise is completed simply run the setup again when you wanted the second phase and it will start from there itself.
Regards,
Mahak
Hi Mahak
Thanks for the quick turn around, i started Extracting the files as per your suggestion. I will keep you posted.
Thanks
Arun
Hi Arun,
Sure you just need to run the same update again and it will start the second phase.
Regards,
Mahak
I started the whole process of installation from the beginning, this time i didn't see any Single Phase or Phase-wise installation screen instead it says Resume Installation. Thanks for the help Mahak.
Thanks
Arun
HI Arun,
As stated 🙂 above.
Glad to know you are using new feature. Will update the article today for new phase with GUI. Keep checking SCN.
Have a great day.
regards,
Mahak
Please check this new one : [BI 4.2 SP3+] Step by Step PHASE-WISE Installation in SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence (BI) platform 4.2 when updating/patching the BI 4.x in GUI MODE.
Regards,
Mahak
Hi Mahak, Thanks for both od your blogs, really great help. SOmehow I couldnt comment on your new GUI blog so replying here.
We will be upgrading from 4.1 SP6 patch8 to 4.2 SP3 Patch2. We have have distributed env:
1) 2 CMS servers (clustered) having intelligence tier
2) 5 Application tier with differnt appcation servers including webi, crystal reports, design studio, dashboards etc.
3) 3 tomcat servers
Now the stragety we followed last time to upgrade from 4.0 to 4.1 was:
1)Shutdown all servers except CMS IFRS & OFRS.
2) Parallel upgrade to CMS serevrs 4.1 SP6 patch0
3) Paralalel upgrade to tomcat servers
4) Parallel patching to all servers
Now with cacheing strategy, Im but confused, when to bring down servers & how. Shall run cacheing on all servers including CMS, application & web then shudown all servers except CMS & IFRS & OFRS.
and run CMS update in parallel
then app update in parallel
then tomcat update in parallel.
can u pls advise.
Thanks
Vishal
HI Vishal,
Firstly, As you are looking forward to update to BI 4.2 SP3+ follow the article : https://archive.sap.com/documents/docs/DOC-75304
This can also be used if you wanted to use command line but above article will show how it works with GUI and its simpler too.
Since you are updating the server from BI 4.0/4.1 to BI 4.2 SP3 you need to follow steps below to ensure how you update the servers ( MAINLY CMS Server ) then you can proceed with traditional way to update the WAS and other servers.
If you are updating your existing BI4.0 or BI4.1 Clustered deployment, please follow the steps as mentioned below to ensure a successful deployment of the BI4.2 update..
In case you are using the default (SQLAnywhere) database for the CMS, please ensure you deploy the SQLAnywhere 16 drivers on the additional nodes for for updating them.
Regards,
Mahak
Nice job Mahak!
Hi Mahak, thanks for this document!! Do you have this for Unix?
HI Yoel Alejandro Guevara Hernandez,
The steps are exactly same for UNIX. You just need to run the ./lcm_cli.sh instead of lcm_cli.bat.
Regards,
Mahak
Hi Mahak,
We are planning to upgrade from BI 4.1 SP6 to BI 4.2 Sp3. We have Design studio 1.6 as well in our BI 4.1 Environment. How to deal with design studio here. Will already installed DS 1.6 add on for 4.1 will work with 4.2 as well without any issues. Or do we need to uninstall DS 1.6 for 4.1 first and install DS 1.6 add on for 4.2.
Please help.
Thanks,
Saket
HI Saket,
You can check the PAM Guide for Design Studio 1.6 here Design Studio 1.6 PAM Guide
If it is supported with both the version that you are using that means it is supported and you don't need to update the DS . As per my understanding it is. So Bi 4.2 Sp00 > is supported with 1.6.
Regards,
Mahak
Hi Mahak,
We would like to revert the cache installation (Phase 1), Is there anyway or option to delete the cache folder which was created/extracted from the setup file (4.2 SP3 upgrade)?
FYI, we are trying to upgrade to BI 4.2 SP3 from BI 4.1 SP6 and start this task from starting again.
Regards,
RK
HI Radhakrishnan,
This sounds interesting and not in admin guide that how it should be reverted. I would be testing this on my clouds and will update you.
Regards,
Mahak
Hi Mahak,
Thanks for the guide!
First of all: I tried to comment on your most recent guide for 4.2 SP03, but since it's archived this can't be done.
I'm wondering why the newer one is archived, but this old one is not...
Anyway, I would have a question on this:
We are updating our BIP from 4.1 SP09 to 4.2 SP03 P12.
Luckily we aren't running in the common issue that there is a separate SP and patch installation, since we are using the "newly" offered combined installers (SP+Patch in one setup).
But we actually have a similar issue, because we also have to update the Explorer Addon, which, as far as I understood, also offers the phase-wise installation method (this is not clearly stated, but we assume this based on the hints, e.g. at the end of the Youtube video covering this process).
So would it be possible to follow this procedure:
1. BIP caching phase, 2. Explorer caching phase, 3. BIP installation phase and 4. Explorer installation phase.
Or do we have to follow the order 1., 3., 2., 4.?
(Which would actually render this feature useless in our scenario).
To make it even more complicated: we also want to install Lumira 2.0.
Does Lumira 2.0 SP3 support the phase-wise installation?
If yes: Could we add this to the above mentioned procedure in the same manner?
Thanks for your support!
Best Regards
Moritz
Hi,
Is it possible to do the Phase wise approach via silent response file (command) rather than via the GUI option.
What is the rough estimated time in saving due to caching?
Bye
Shailesh