DB2 OLAP Server Installation Guide

Check compatibility with earlier versions

It is recommended that you install the Version 8.1 OLAP server component with Version 8.1 client products. Client products include the Application Manager, Spreadsheet Add-ins for Microsoft Excel and Lotus 1-2-3, and the Runtime Client.

There are limitations when you mix different versions of clients and servers in the same environment:

Newer clients with older servers

Using a client that is newer than the server is not recommended or supported.

Older clients with newer servers

Using a client that is older than the server version is not supported. However, some clients of previous releases might work with the Version 8.1 server, although with feature limitations.

Be careful when modifying Version 8.1 databases or outlines with earlier releases of Application Manager. If you save a Version 8.1 database that contains new Version 8.1 features with an earlier release of the Application Manager, the new features may be stripped from the database.

Depending on the service level of an older client, it might not be able to connect with a newer server. Additionally, the newer server might issue messages that are incorrect in the context of the older client.

One client with many servers

If you need to connect a client to several OLAP servers on different machines or operating systems, it is recommended that you make them all the same version and service level. Your client should at least be at the same as the lowest level server. If you experience problems, you might need to use different client machines to match up with the appropriate host, or upgrade all clients and servers to the same service level.

Different versions of clients on the same client system

If you install more than one client component on the same computer, such as Spreadsheet Add-in and Application Manager, make sure that all of the components are on the same release level. Version 8.1 clients share.dll files that may not work with earlier client components.

IBM components with Hyperion components

IBM does not support mixing OLAP clients and servers from IBM with OLAP clients and servers from Hyperion Solutions. There are some differences in feature mixes, levels, and some issues in licensing that may cause problems, even though mixing IBM with Hyperion products might appear to work in some situations.