Someone asked the Oracle support if Siebel Analytics could use 2 LDAP servers for authentication. “We currently use one of the LDAP server for authentication and it works fine. We have some users from another LDAP server and want to add it to our authentication.”
Response was:
Siebel Analytics can only authenticate against on LDAP server at a time. If you define multiple LDAP servers, the 2nd LDAP server is not being looked at unless the connection to the 1st failed.
You define multiple LDAP server by putting the LDAP server names in a concatenated string and use space as delimiter in the Host Name entry, i.e. “ldap1.siebel.com ldap2.siebel.com:9872 ldap3.siebel.com” in AN78x release
In the latest Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition, you can define multiple LDAP server definitions in the Manage > Security > LDAP Server.
But Authentication tries the first LDAP server, if it fails then it uses the second LDAP server defined in the repository
“Product change request 12-HOAZ87 has been logged to ask for authentication against multiple LDAP servers simultaneously.”
I’ve been working on helping to configure system subject area to automate configuring Delivery Profiles. Unfortunately, Oracle’s documentation is severely lacking – and there’re only a few tutorials online. Even though they’re good – something isn’t working out yet – there’s an error in the Sessions log – that says something like nqsError “unable to locate table SET”. The only SET which is there looks like “Set Loglevel=2″. I’m trying to recreate all steps from the beginning.
On the other hand, I strongly believe that a partial in-place drill-down should be a feature in the OBIEE. Even though clicking on a column in BI Answers partially solves the issue – it doesn’t do in in such a way it would be useful. I’ve seen OBIEE being used for transactional type of reporting where users want to go deeper into detail level without loosing focus on other items.
One thing that’s making the serious IT consulting field less desirable for a lot of people is the constant need for learning new things. Learning by reading blogs, studying new documentation, and constantly experimenting with new features. nQuire / Siebel Analytics / OBIEE has evolved into a very complex product – and clients often expect one person to be proficient in everything, starting from ETL and ending with BI Publisher. I know several people who’re indeed masters in all products, and they could probably complete a BI project single-handedly (from planning to execution, from ETL specs to data modelling, from OBIEE repository design to front-end customizations). However, such knowledge doesn’t come for free. These people put a lot of extra time into learning new things as well as polishing their existing ones. In the end, it pays off, because they can commend higher rates and it’s what they love – it’s something they can be passionate about.
I haven’t written much lately for several reasons – the major one – dealing with the new project, getting into loop of things. Second one, I’m having much fun reading some new blogs (to which I will definitely link once I find some time). Third, it has something to do with being in New York in the fall. It’s a magnificent city, but it’s very demanding – sometimes I feel it’s taking all my energy. Last reason, it’s more and more difficult to come up with new posts.
Have a good week-end! Stay well! (don’t catch a cold like I did)
This is a very interesting post Taking a Look at Panorama and Google Apps. Mark is comparing some quick OLAP solutions with OBIEE.
Mark shows some limitations of those products, however, he also mentions that it’s a big improvement on what’s been available before.
Should Oracle be threatened? I don’t think so. Even though BI is a lucrative market for anyone, the cost of entry is way too high, even for a company like google. Sales reps take years to develop solid client relationships, and even though Google might take a stab at that by poaching Oracle’s talent – I seriously doubt it.
Finally, I don’t think google’s tool is positioned to compete with OBIEE.
I received a complimentary invite to go to the OpenWorld (thank you Oracle!). Unfortunately, it came in sort of late (the conference starts very soon on the Oct 11th) and the location is on the other coast (San Francisco). I am torn – on one side – it’s an excellent opportunity to meet a lot of interesting people in person (Mark, guys from BICG, and others) and engage in learning, on the other side, I like to plan things in advance – and this is a very short notice. Another side is that even with the cost of the conference covered ($2500), I still have significant direct and indirect costs such as plane, accomodation, and lost wages. Cost-benefit analysis can’t be completed easily due to the difficulty of defining metrics. On one hand, I’m not actively seeking clients/new employment; on the other hand – there’re some interesting obiee presentations (by Mark and Deloitte). I have a general feeling that going to the IOUG in DC would be more reachable.
If you’re going to the conference, can you please comment on your reasons for doing so.