MS Performance Point connection issue

I recently encountered a problem that was resolved after some hit and trial efforts. Since I couldn't find the solution on google so I thought putting up it here would help some one using Performance Point and .Net 3.5

1. Installed and configured Performance Point server, no issues

2. Setup and published dashbaords

3. Didn't use for some time and in the meantime Installed Visual Studio 2008 and .Net 3.5

4. Recently tried to run the performance point, it failed to conenct to the database server, gave following error message

" unable to connect to the specified server"

5. Tested SQL db isntances and connectivity but everything was perfect and fully accessible from elsewhere

6. Tried connecting to to Performance Point Montioring Server (File->Options->Server->Connect), didn't' work either, same error message

7. Through IIS, brought up the web services page (http://localhost/WebService/PmService.asmx). There was the error message I was looking for, the web service could not run as it failed to load system.web.extension. The config file had version=1.0.61025.0 and although I had ver 1.1, 2, 3 and 3.5 of .net framework installed still it could not load the right dll.

8. I manually edited the web config and replaced all instances of version=1.0.61025.0 with Version=3.5.0.0. That's it, it started working again.

9. I had to do the same for http://localhost/Preview/web.config to bring up the preview site.

Thanks for your help Nick, the performance point guru.

Check Nick's post on similar database connectivity issue, if this is not the issue you are facing
http://nickbarclay.blogspot.com/2007/11/pps-data-source-connection-problems.html

Deep inside Agile Development

A nice article,

I have just read a fantastic article written by Ted Neward on pragmatic agile development, from an architectural prespective. I must say he beautifully put together the philosphy of agile development, core issues that we face and what exactly it means by agile development when it comes to delivery of the solution. read it here

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-au/architecture/bb892770.aspx


and I love his conclusion,

"Call it what you will, the basic keys to successful software remain the same: good people, whether they’re developers or managers; good process, whether it’s lightweight or rigorous; a good product, whether it’s detailed in a document or sketched on 3x5 cards; and good technology, whether it’s COBOL or something a bit more modern. Many shops do one thing right, some do two or three, but the truly spectacular successes get all four right, and the results…well, they speak for themselves, and need no buzzword to define them."

and the book,

the article reminded me of the book, Rapid Development (well how could I forget that book!) that laid the fondation stone of my software engineering concepts when I studied it at Uni in 1997. Its third chapter "Classical Mistakes" is fantastic and the list should be put on the walls of a software house as we tend to forget and commit such classical mistakes again and again. http://stevemcconnell.com/rdenum.htm

happy reading

Something for fun -

Instead of writing another 'dry' technical/philosphical blog I have got some cool stuff today, quite interesting and fun tools to use as a pc user. Having all those dual, quad... cores (and God knows how many in future) lets give your pc some more work to do beside sitting idle.

1. Launchy: http://www.launchy.net/

It enables to luanch your programs very fast plus it senses what would you like to launch. just press alt+space and see the magic

2. Make3d: http://make3d.stanford.edu/

Lets you convert your images into 3d model and then you can explore them like going inside a 3d game. you can crerate you account and upload your photos and the site will convert them in 3d but normally it takes 2 days to get it done. Alternatively they have got their source code up there in c++ and if you are c++ geek then you can download and compile on your machine.

3. And here comes the king! PicLens http://www.piclens.com/

A plugin to your browser that makes the experience of searching/viewing the images online stunning!

Download -> install -> restart browser -> visit images.google.com -> search any images -> and click "Play" icon at left bottom of any image and here you go! seeing is believing