OBIEE 12c - Quick installation guide - Windows

OBIEE 12c has been released and here we bring a quick installation guide for those interested.

First of all, make sure you perform the installation in a certified platform. Take a look at the Certification Matrix:
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/middleware/ias/downloads/fusion-certification-100350.html

Look for the link under:
"System Requirements and Supported Platforms for Oracle Fusion Middleware 12c (12.2.1)"
 
0. Review Certification Matrix.
    Minimum Oracle DB version : 11.2.0.4+
    Windows OS : 2012 / 2012 R2
    Even though the certification matrix does not list Windows 2008 I gave it a try and successfully  
     installed the software.

1. Gather the installation files from
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/middleware/bi-enterprise-edition/downloads/business-intelligence-2717951.html

So, it is very clear what we need for Windows installation:

1. JDK 
2. Weblogic Server12c
3. BIEE 12c
4. Configuration 

1. The installation of JDK is pretty straight forward, so nothing relevant to discuss.
    Just ensure you are using the recommended JDK version by issuing the following command:

C:\temp> java -version
java version "1.8.0_65"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.8.0_65-b17)
Java HotSpot (TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 25.65-b01, mixed mode)

2. Next, we proceed with the installation of WLS 12c. Invoke the WLS jar file by issuing the
   following command:

   C:\temp>"c:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0_65\bin\java" -jar fmw_12.2.1.0.0_infrastructure.jar

Then just follow the Installer steps:

 This step is important not to overlook. I highly recommend to always check for possible patches (you will need an account with Oracle Support)

 The installer detected a patch to install 18994592

3. Installing OBIEE12c:
    Let's assume the OBIEE12c installation files have been placed in a temp directory and unzipped.
    Then it should look like this:

    Should you get error code =1 during the installation then please apply workaround indicated (here)

 Here again, we are given the opportunity for the installer to check for patches of this installation. So if you have an account with Oracle Support, proceed to enter the details

 Use the same Oracle_Home of the WLS12c installation:

Here, select the second option so you get the samples installed.

Warning: Be patient. The previous step may take a little while to complete.

3. Configuration:
    Well, so far OBIEE12c software has been installed but yet one final step is required: Configuration. For this purpose, go to Oracle_home\bi\bin and execute the file config.cmd
 

 This step will Add a new BI DOMAIN (Domain Name : bi) in Weblogic Server 12c

This step will create the OBIEE12c Metadata in the Oracle Database (typically performed by RCU)

Notice now the port range is 9500-9999

This will install SampleAppLite as demo application of OBIEE12c

 Here a summary of the new links:

        Components
           - Essbase
           - BIEE
               *  OBIPS (Port 9507)
               * Cluster controller (Main port 9508, monitor 9509)
               * Java host (Port 9510)
               * Scheduler (Main port 9511, monitor 9512, script 9513)
           - BIP
        Domain
            BI Domain Name: bi
            Domains Directory: C:\fusionMW\Oracle_Home\bi\bin\..\..\user_projects\domains
            Admin server (HTTP port 9500, HTTPS 9501, internal 9504)
            Managed server (HTTP port 9502, HTTPS 9503, internal 9505)
        Database
            New schemas
                Database type: ORACLE
                Connect string: biserver:1521:orcl
                New RCU prefix: DEV
        Port Management
            Port range
                Port range start: 9500
                Port range end: 9999
        Application
            SampleAppLite
            Service Instance Key: ssi
            Service Instance Limit: 1
    Entry points
        BI Analytics:                            http://biserver:9502/analytics
        BI Publisher:                             http://biserver:9502/xmlpserver
        WebLogic Console:                  http://biserver:9500/console

        Fusion Middleware Control:    http://biserver:9500/em

OBIEE 12c Installation Error: Could not extract the archive since it is corrupted

This is a quick post for those trying to install OBIEE12c.

After unzipping the installation files you would probably see this in your directory:

After executing the .exe file you get the following error message:

"Could not extract the archive since it is corrupted. Error code=1"

Resolution: One workaround to this issue is simply unzipping the .exe file using 7-zip

 Now the installation directory should look like this:

Go ahead and perform OBIEE12c installation from this directory:

Disk1>"c:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0_65\bin\java.exe" -jar install/modules/ora-launcher.jar

(Note: This assumes you already installed JDK 1.8.0.65 - part of the OBIEE12c installation)

OBIA 11.1.1.9.1 New content

This is information provided from oracle community: 

This new release of Oracle Business Intelligence Applications adds:

1. New support for Oracle Cloud Application Sources to enable Hybrid Analytics from on-premise and cloud Applications
2. Expanded functional content coverage across existing Oracle BI Applications

New Oracle Cloud Application Sources for Hybrid Analytics
With the continued move to the Cloud, Oracle BI Applications has introduced support for the following Oracle Application Cloud sources: Oracle Sales Cloud, Oracle HCM Cloud, Oracle Financial Cloud, Oracle Procurement Cloud, and Oracle Project Cloud.

Oracle Financial Analytics provides a new Essbase GL Balances model for improved EBS Financial Service Generator (FSG) Reporting and Hierarchy navigation, including support of ragged hierarchies for GL segment dimensions.

Oracle Project Analytics expands project-based insight with new Construction in Process (CIP) support, providing visibility for Project Stakeholders into in-progress costs, expensed costs since project inception and across organizations.

Oracle Procurement and Spend Analytics delivers new capabilities for Fusion Procurement, including Supply Chain Financial orchestration, negotiation and award approvals, and Buyer assignment controls.

Oracle Supply Chain & Order Management Analytics introduces new Inventory module support for PeopleSoft, including visibility into inventory balances, aging, transactions and valuation.

Oracle Student Information Analytics provides new subject area coverage for Student Financials Billing Summary and Transactions, with visibility to billing and transaction information by student or external organization.

Oracle Human Resources Analytics expands analysis on HR programs and workforce performance for Fusion HCM with support of Talent Management Analysis.
Oracle Sales Analytics introduces new subject areas for Activity Analytics, with support for Activity contact, resource and sales subject areas from Fusion Sales."

References:
- My original post: http://bichaos.blogspot.com/2015/03/obia-111191-just-released.html
- The Oracle Release Notes: http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E53672_01/index.htm
- The original source of info: (Ref: https://community.oracle.com/thread/3687367)

OBIA 11.1.1.9.1 just released !

Oracle has released today (March 10th, 2015) a new version of Oracle Business Intelligence Applications
OBIA 11.1.1.9.1.( Part Number : B81628-01 M).
More to come as we check for the new features or bug fixes in this release.

Here the link to the Release Notes: http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E53672_01/index.htm
and the new content : http://bichaos.blogspot.com/2015/03/obia-111191-new-content.html

Oracle BI Applications - OBIA Performance Guidelines 11g

This is just a quick note for those looking for recommendations on hardware and database sizing plus performance guidelines for OBIA 11g implementations.

Oracle has already made public a Note ID: 1963225.1 about this.

More to come as we digest this new oracle document on this topic.

SQL Developer : Unable to create an instance of the Java Virtual Machine

Have you ever got this error message with SQL Developer ?

"... Unable to create an instance of the Java Virtual Machine ..."

It usually appears the first time you try to launch "SQL Developer" ( I have also found others get similar message with JDeveloper). The error is related to the memory allocated for the  JVM associated with the program we are trying to launch.

There are two SQLDeveloper parameter settings for this purpose :

Add32VMOption  -Xms  and
Add32VMOption  -Xmx

Which can be set in the file product.conf located at (in windows):

C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Application Data\sqldeveloper\1.0.0.0.0

So, in my case all I had to do is apply the following changes in this file:

# SetJavaHome C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_45 (not required but wanted to use latest JDK)
SetJavaHome C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.7.0_51


# AddVMOption -Xms128m
AddVMOption -Xms256m

# AddVMOption -Xms800m
AddVMOption -Xmx512m

You finally get :

BI Pubisher 11g with Gmail

About the title:
I know, actually the title should have been something like: "Configuring Gmail as Delivery Channel Mail Server for BI Publisher 11g".

Available in 11g but could be backport to 10g:
It is about a new feature in BI Publisher only available in 11g unless you request a back port to 10g - Which I understand is also possible but has to be requested as Enhancement Request through Oracle
 Support and then Shinji's team will make it possible.

Benefit:
Well, now having this available in BI Publisher 11g it is possible to configure our Gmail email account to send or deliver BI Publisher reports. This is useful for some companies which rely in such email providers and prior to BIP11g this was not possible. Also, it is useful for developers to test email delivery channel with no need to use a local company's Email Server.
Actually, this is also supposed to work for TLS (Transport Layer Security) configuration. Suffixes for me to explain here that this is the successor of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and thus improves the network communications and reduces the risk of eavesdropping and tampering. More on TLS here.
But unfortunately, at the time of this note this feature does not seem to be working. If you get it to work I would be pleased to hear about it.

Use: To take advantage of this new feature simply enter the following values:
Port : 465
Encryption: SSL