OBIEE 11g – Multiple Instances on Computer – Auto Ports Vs Custom Ports

The standard installation of OBIEE 11g would configure software components to default ports. These ports may be different if it is chosen manually during installation process. The problem arises when company plans to install multiple instances of Oracle Business Intelligence on a single computer; there is a need to decide on a port management strategy.

There are two options; the first option is to allow Oracle Business Intelligence 11g Installer to assign the ports for each instance automatically while other option is to assign ports through a custom port configuration file (.ini).

This blog is an attempt to discuss option of going with Auto Ports or/and Custom Ports for installation of multiple instances of OBIEE 11g.

Auto Port

The first option as suggested in the introduction section is to go with auto port, let installation process allow choosing the ports for one or more installation. Allowing all processes of the first installation running before installation of subsequent instances would enable OBIEE 11g installer to automatically identify as assign ports that are not yet in use. 

 

Custom Port Configuration

One can assign ports though a custom configuration file. This option is available with Enterprise Install. Installer enables to set custom OBIEE port values in configuration file (staticports.ini). A sample staticports.ini file is provided with the Oracle Business Intelligence installation package which can be edited and copied to use as pre-configuration inputs.

The sample staticports.ini file contains a template for setting custom port values for Oracle Business Intelligence components. The file would be available at bi_installer_loc/ Disk1/ stage/ Response directory. If the port is already in use, then a port from the default port range will be allocated for the component.

Review Configuration

The next important question around ports is how I find out about configured ports. Here are the configuration files which would list down currently configured prots

• $OH/install/ports.properties:  This file will contain the list of OBIEE system component ports assigned at the time of installation, which might be changed after installation. If it is automated install then this file is right source for configuration ports

• Weblogic Administration and Managed server, node manager: [middleware_home]/user_projects/domains/bifoundation_domain/config/config.xml

• OPMN: [middleware_home]/instances/instance1/config/OPMN/opmn/opmn.xml

• OBIEE System Components (and Essbase; if integrated): [middleware_home]/user_projects/domains/bifoundation_domain/config/fmwconfig/biee-domain.xml

• essbase.cfg (if using Essbase)

Commands to Find Active Ports

This will list tcp/udp protocols that are listening as well as the process id and program

UNIX

netstat -tulpn
or
netstat --tcp --udp --listening --programs -n

WINDOWS

nestat -bo

I hope this information is useful.