Preparing to Install

Before you install IBM Cognos 8, you must set up resources in your environment so that the components can operate. For example, you must create a database for the content store, configure Web browsers, and create a user account for IBM Cognos 8.

If you want to use Cognos Content Database as your content store, you do not have to create a database or set up a database client. A database is created during the installation and IBM Cognos 8 is configured to use it.

Use the following checklist to guide you through the setup process:

	Review the Readme.
	Review supported environments.
	Verify system requirements.
	Review the default port settings.
	Create the database for the content store.
	Configure a user or network server account for IBM Cognos 8.
	Set up environment variables on UNIX for the metric store, if using IBM Cognos 8 Metrics Manager.
	Configure Web browsers.

After you complete these tasks, continue with Installing IBM Cognos 8 Components on One Computer or Installing IBM Cognos 8 Server Components in a Distributed Installation.