DashInsight Architecture [Insert Date Here]

DashInsight Architecture Overview• DashInsight is built on a web-based service oriented (SOA) architecture that is

designed for scalability, availability, and customization.

• It uses platform independent, industry proven technologies, such as Java2 Platform Enterprise Edition (J2EE), Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Extensible Markup Language (XML), and JavaScript Object Notation (JSON).

• DashInsight architecture features a consistent, zero footprint, Web-based user interface for viewing, creating, and administering business portals and user communities. It also provides a single point of administration, as well easy to access and use Web-based management components.

• DashInsight fully integrates with and leverages existing IBM Cognos, IBM SPSS and IBM Cognos TM1 content and capabilities.

• DashInsight has a multi-tier architecture that includes gateway, app server, and data. It also supports dynamic load balancing and failover recovery.

DashInsight Multi-tiered ArchitectureThe multi-tiered architecture includes 3 tiers: web server, applications, and data. The tiers are defined based on function, and are typically separated by network firewalls.

This diagram illustrates a single-server DashInsight™ configuration. Multiple server configurations are supported as well

DashInsight Architecture TiersWeb Tier

The web tier provides user session connectivity and interaction to DashInsight applications.

The components that fulfill this role are referred to as DashInsight Gateway.

DashInsight Gateway includes also a built-in Dispatcher component that performs the failover

and load balancing of the requests that are sent to the application tier.

For high availability and scalability multiple DashInsight Gateways can be deployed along with

an external HTTP load-balancing router.Application Tier

The application tier consists in a collection of services that handle the execution of specific

tasks related to DashInsight capabilities (metadata and files management, user access and

security, export and publishing, notifications and background tasks). The components that

fulfill this role are referred as DashInsight Application Server.

For high availability and scalability multiple DashInsight Application servers can be deployed

with or without an external HTTP load-balancing router.Data Tier

The database tier is represented by the DashInsight and IBM Cognos Content store

databases.

DashInsight User Interfaces

Web-based

• DashInsight

• DashInsight Designer

Windows

• DashInsight Configuration

Mobile

• DashInsight Mobilefor iOS devices

• DashInsight Mobilefor Android devices

DashInsight Web-based User InterfacesThe zero foot print, DashInsight Web-based interfaces include the following components:

DashInsight Client (DashInsight)The DashInsight Client provides a single access point to business portals and users

communities. IBM Cognos BI, TM1 and IBM SPSS content can be accessed within the

DashInsight business portals. Other business intelligence applications, and web

applications can be also integrated into the DashInsight.

DashInsight DesignerThe DashInsight Designer is a central interface that provides access to create and

manage DashInsight content, such as :

• Business Portals and User Communities

• Themes and Permissions

• Content Store Objects and Metadata

DashInsight Windows User InterfacesThe DashInsight Windows interfaces includes the following components:

DashInsight Configuration ClientThe DashInsight Configuration Client is an easy-to-use Windows application client to

configure and validate the system preferences, such as server URLs, ports, content

store database connections, log settings, notifications, and more.

It also provides access to monitor, start and stop DashInsight services.

DashInsight Mobile User InterfacesThe DashInsight Mobile interfaces includes the following components:

DashInsight Mobile for iOS devicesA rich native iOS mobile application (for iPad and iPhone) for accessing the

DashInsight™ business portals content.

DashInsight Mobile for Android devicesA rich native Android mobile application (popular Android-based tablets and phones)

for accessing the DashInsight™ business portals content.

DashInsight Integration with IBM Cognos BI

This diagram illustrates a single-server DashInsight™ configuration. Multiple server configurations are supported as well

The DashInsight Gateway components integrate directly with the IBM Cognos Gateway and IBM Cognos Content Store database.

DashInsight Tiers CommunicationDashInsight components communicate with each other, and with the IBM Cognos components using different protocols and methods.

User interfaces and DashInsight GatewayUser interfaces communicate with DashInsight Gateway using HTTP requests. To secure the communication SSL is supported for use.

DashInsight Gateway and DashInsight ApplicationDashInsight Gateway components communicate with DashInsight Application using HTTP requests. To secure the communication data transport encryption and cryptographic nonce options are available for use. SSL is also supported for use.

DashInsight Gateway and IBM Cognos GatewayDashInsight Gateway components communicate with IBM Cognos Gateway using HTTP requests.

DashInsight Application and Data tierDashInsight Application components communicate with Data tier using JDBC.

DashInsight Database Connection ManagementDashInsight uses databases for two purposes: store DashInsight metadata and query IBM Cognos metadata.

The DashInsight Database Management component creates new database connections as required, pools connections, and reuses existing connections when possible. It also maintains all database connections for the duration of the data management operations.

DashInsight Content Store DatabaseDashInsight business portals metadata (portals and user communities) as well user specific data (bookmarks, snapshots, discussion threads, insights, and notifications) are store in the DashInsight Content Store database.

IBM Cognos Content Store DatabaseSpecific IBM Cognos information related to users and groups are pulled directly from the Cognos Content Store database. No updates are performed over this database, a database user with read access is required only.

DashInsight Authentication and Access

DashInsight authentication is integrated with IBM Cognos authentication. No user names and/or user passwords are store in DashInsight Content Store database.

When using DashInsight, each user must be first authenticated within IBM Cognos before using any of the DashInsight services.

Any user permissions and privileges defined within the IBM Cognos will be inherited by DashInsight application.

Additional to IBM Cognos security settings, access to DashInsight content and capabilities can be defined in DashInsight Designer (Portals Management and Users Communities Management)

DashInsight GatewayRequest

Is User authenticated

in IBM Cognos ?

CognosAuthentication

HandlerNo

ExecuteDashInsight Gateway

Request

Yes

When Cognos authentication occur, redirect back to DashInsight

DashInsight Security and User PermissionsUser access to DashInsight platform and business portals can be configured using the Users Management and Portals Management components.

Users ManagementThe Users management component is used to restrict the access to DashInsight platform, and - if needed, to restrict the access to specific features:- DashInsight (Web Designer, Web Client, and/or

Mobile)- Create public/private bookmarks, snapshots, and

discussion threads- Export content (PDF, Email, Excel,

Presentations)- Access to IBM Cognos reporting tools

Business Portals ManagementThe Portals Management component is used to restrict access to portals and features.

IBM Cognos Access / Permissions

DashInsight Portals Security / Features

DashInsight Users Access / Permissions

DashInsightAccess / Features / Permissions

DashInsight Installation Options

All components on one computer– Install both Gateway and Application components on the same

server

Gateway component on a separate computer– Install Gateway component on one computer– Install Application components on other computers

Installing all Components on Same System

Installing the Application on a Separate System

Load Balancing Options

Built-in Dispatcher – Load balancing between DashInsight Gateway and Application

Servers– Balancing options: First Available, Round Robin

External Load Balancing– Load balancing between Browser and DashInsight Gateway– Load balancing between DashInsight Gateway and Application

Servers

DashInsight Application Servers Load Balancing

DashInsight Gateway & App Servers Load Balancing

DashInsight Deployment and Backup

Deployment DashInsight business portals can be deployed from a source environment to a target environment using export/import capabilities included in the Portal Management system.

BackupBackups of DashInsight content can be created using either the export feature within the Portal Management system or through standard database backup capabilities.

DashInsight Logs and AuditLogsDashInsight provides in depth logging capabilities through the DashInsight Logging system (log4j based). This system can be configured in a multitude of ways, each providing different levels of logging detail and performance, from lightly detailed and unhindered performance to heavily detailed with slower processing speeds

AuditUser interactions with the DashInsight server can be tracked using the DashInsight Audit system. This system tracks specific user actions in the DashInsight content store and can be enabled or disabled at any time through administration access. The collected data can later be used in reports or simply saved to know what happened and when it happened.

LogsLogFiles

AuditData

DashInsight Multi-language SupportDashInsight provides support for multiple languages through its Language Handling system. Support for this Language System currently only exists for the DashInsight Client.

If language files for a specific language do not already exist, they can be easily added to the system simply by translating the English text into the new language.

Installation Requirements - HardwareRequirement Specification

Operating system Microsoft Windows UNIX / Linux

RAM Minimum 8GB

Disk space A minimum of 2.0 GB of free space

Printer To ensure that reports print properly on Windows, Adobe Reader requires that you configure at least one printer on the computer where you install the Application Tier Components. All reports, regardless of the print format that you choose, are sent as temporary PDF files to Adobe Reader for printing.

Other To email reports and send notifications, the system requires the ability to use and access a mail server (SMTP)

Installation Requirements - SoftwareRequirement SpecificationIBM Cognos IBM Cognos 8.x, 10.x, or Express must be installed

Database You must have one of the following databases available to store DashInsight metadata: • Oracle (version 9g or above)• Microsoft SQL Server (version 2005 or above)

Apache Tomcat Apache Tomcat (version 7 or above) must be installed. The Apache Tomcat is included in DashInsight installation package

JRE 7 Java Runtime Environment (version 7 or above) must be installed. The JRE7 is included in DashInsight installation package

Web browser You must have Internet Explorer, Chrome or Mozilla Firefox browser installed. The following must be enabled: • Cookies • JavaScript • Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins • Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting • Active scripting • Allow META REFRESH