Install / Uninstall Cognos Content Database (Apache Derby) from Cognos BI Server

Cognos Content Database is an instance of Apache Derby database that is provided as an optional component with Cognos BI Server software. It is generally used in a sandbox servers (or) proof-of-concept servers for demo (or) training purposes.

Cognos Content Database can be installed on the same server where all the BI Server components are installed (or) it can also be installed on a separate server. If it is installed on the same server where the Content Manager is installed, it is automatically configured as default content store.

If you want to install, simply check the option Cognos Content Database while installing BI Server components.

If you want to change the content store with a typical databases like Oracle (or) DB2 (or) SQL Server, you need to uninstall the Cognos Content Database. Steps to Uninstall are as follows:

Step 1: go to the folder location where Cognos is installed. In my machine, path is "C:\Program Files (x86)\ibm\cognos\c10\bin" and type the following command:

On Windows OS:

derby.bat uninstall

On UNIX (or) Linux OS:

derby.sh stop

The above command is going to delete Cognos Content Database.

Step 2: go to the root folder location where Cognos is installed, in my machine, it is "C:\Program Files (x86)\ibm\cognos\c10.2.1" and delete the derby10.* directory.

Step 3: delete the following files from "bin" folder within Cognos installation folder.

On Windows:     derby.bat

On UNIX:           derby.sh, derbyenv.sh

Step 4: from "Logs" directory within Cognos installation folder, delete "derby.service" file. It is applicable only for Windows OS.

Step 5: in the Cognos root directory, open "cmplst.txt" file and delete (or) comment lines contain "CCD" and "CMDERBY".

#C8BISRVRCCD_version=

#C8BISRVRCCD_name=

#CCD_version=

#CCD_name=

#CMDERBY_version=

#CMDERBY_name=

Step 6: Open IBM Cognos Configuration and delete Cognos Content Database under Content Manager.