KB10646: How to set the DCOM settings for remote administration of MicroStrategy Narrowcast Server on a Windows 2003 Server machine

REQUIREMENTS:
If DCOM permissions are not correctly set, users will have problems with all or specific parts of the remote administration such as configuration, starting and stopping Narrowcast NT-services, and the execution of services. Often, a DCOM error can be found in the Event log, and the interface may display errors such as the following:

• "An unexpected error was encountered while attempting to start the Distribution Manager."
  
• "Unexpected error: Unable to perform this operation because you have insufficient privileges."
  
• "Permission denied."
  

 
HOW TO SET THE DCOM SETTINGS:
Using an account that has administrative permissions on the remote Windows 2003 machine, perform the following:

1. Log onto the Windows 2003 machine.
   
2. Click Start > Run and enter dcomcnfg.exe. Click OK.
   
3. In the Component Services window, expand Component Services > Computers.
   
4. Right-click on "My Computer" and select Properties.
   
5. Select the Default COM Security tab.
   
6. Under Access Permissions, select Edit Default.
   
7. On the Access Permissions window, click Add and add the account that will administer Strategy Narrowcast Server, if it is not already there.
   
8. Click OK and verify that the account is added and that it has "Allow Access" permissions.
   
9. Under Access Permissions, select Edit Limits.
   
10. On the Access Permissions window, click Add and add the account that will administer Strategy Narrowcast Server, if it is not already there.
    
11. Click OK and verify that the account is added and that it has "Allow Access" permissions.
    
12. Under Launch Permissions, click Edit Default to open the Launch Permission window.
    
13. Click Add and add the account, if it is not there.
    
14. Click OK and verify that the account is added and that it has "Allow Launch" permissions.
    
15. Click OK and choose File > Exit to close the Component Services window.
    
16. Under Launch Permissions, click Edit Limits to open the Launch Permission window.
    
17. Click Add and add the account, if it is not there.
    
18. Click OK and verify that the account is added and that it has "Allow Launch" permissions.
    
19. Click OK and choose File > Exit to close the Component Services window.
    

If there are problems at this point, it may be because Distributed COM has not been enabled on the "Default Properties" tab. Check this tab and also ensure that the Default Authentication Level is set to "Connect," as shown below:

 
TO LEARN MORE:
Related Knowledge Base articles:

• KB5074 - How to administer Strategy Narrowcast Server from a remote machine
• KB9409 - What is the purpose of checking the DCOMCNFG permissions when troubleshooting starting services issues for Strategy Narrowcast Server

 
Third Party Software Installation:
WARNING:
The third-party product(s) discussed in this technical note is manufactured by vendors independent of Strategy. Strategy makes no warranty, express, implied or otherwise, regarding this product, including its performance or reliability.