Log files can help you troubleshoot problems by recording the activities that take place when you work with a product. Operations performed in IBM Cognos 8 are recorded in various log files for tracking purposes. For example, if you experienced problems installing IBM Cognos 8, consult the transfer log file to learn what activities the installation wizard performed while transferring files.
Before you begin viewing log files, ensure that they contain the information that you need. The number of log files and the information they contain are set by parameters in IBM Cognos Connection and in IBM Cognos Configuration.
When troubleshooting, the following files can assist you:
The Transfer Log File
This file records the activities that the installation wizard performed while transferring files. The transfer log file is located in the c8_location\instlog directory. The file name identifies the product name, version, and build number, and includes a time stamp. The following is an example of the file name format:
tl-C8BISRVR-8.1-0.0-20090701_1122.txt
The Transfer Summary-Error Log File
This file records the components you installed, disk space information, the selections you made in the transfer dialogs, and any errors the installation wizard encountered while transferring components. The transfer summary-error log file is located in the c8_location/instlog directory. The file name identifies the product name, version, and build number, and includes a time stamp. The following is an example of the file name format:
tl-C8BISRVR-8.1-0.0-20090701_1122_summary_error.txt
The Startup Configuration File
This file records your configuration choices each time you save your property settings. The file name is cogstartup.xml. If you are unable to save your configuration, or are having problems you can revert to a previously saved configuration file. The backup configuration files are located in the c8_location/configuration directory. The following is an example of the file name format for backup configuration files:
cogstartup_200906231540.xml
The Startup Configuration Lock File
This file is created each time you open IBM Cognos Configuration. It prevents you from opening more than one IBM Cognos Configuration window. If you experience problems opening IBM Cognos Configuration, you can check the c8_location/configuration directory for the cogstartup.lock file. If the file exists and IBM Cognos Configuration is not open, it means that IBM Cognos Configuration did not shut down properly the last time you used it. You can delete the lock file and then open IBM Cognos Configuration.
The Locale Configuration File
This file records the configuration choices you make in IBM Cognos Configuration for product and content locales, locale mapping, and currency support. If you experience problems with language support in the user interface or in reports, use these files to track your changes. The backup configuration files are located in the c8_location/configuration directory. The following is an example of the file name format:
coglocale_200906231540.xml
The Run-Time Log File
The default IBM Cognos log file named cogserver.log file, or other log files that you configure to receive log messages from the log server, record information after you start the IBM Cognos 8 service. They are located in the c8_location/logs directory. If you configured another destination for log messages, check the appropriate file or database.
Some log messages indicate problems. Most messages provide information only, but others can help you to diagnose problems in your run-time environment.
The Gateway Log File
The gateways record errors in the gateway log file, which is located in the c8_location/logs directory. You can use the gateway log file to troubleshoot problems that prevent the gateway from processing requests or from using encryption. Symptoms of these problems are user IDs and passwords do not work, single signon does not work, and the dispatcher is running but users receive the following error message: The IBM Cognos BI server is not available. The gateway log file uses the following naming format, where gateway_interface is cgi, mod (Apache 1.3 module), mod2 (Apache 2.0 module), or isapi.
gwgateway_interface.log (for example, gwcgi.log)
The Uninstallation Log File
This file records the activities that the Uninstall wizard performed while uninstalling files. The log file is named cognos_uninst_log.htm and is located in the Temp directory. You can use the log file to troubleshoot problems related to uninstalling IBM Cognos 8 components.
The Silent Mode Log File
This file records the activities that IBM Cognos Configuration performed while running in silent mode. This log file is named cogconfig_response.csv and is located in the c8_location/logs directory.
The ReportNet® to IBM Cognos 8 Upgrade File
This file contains a summary of the results of an upgrade from ReportNet to IBM Cognos 8. The log file is named upgradeLog.xml and is located in the c8_location/logs directory. The file is in xml format and references an xslt style sheet. You can double-click the file to have it appear in your browser.