KB15435: How to run MicroStrategy Intelligence Server on Linux under a non-root account

Before discussing the factors affecting whether Strategy Intelligence Server Universal on Linux can be run under a non-root account, it is important to consider the following:
 

1. The installation procedure when using a CPU based license will only proceed when run using the 'root' account.
2. Strategy recommends that users install using the non-root account desired to run the service with, when a Named User license is in effect.
3. Users must take additional steps to resolve issues with registering Strategy Intelligence Server Universal 9.x -10.x on Linux as a service.

If a user wants to use a non-root account after installing with a CPU-based key, the following information about the license and the machine must be obtained sent to Strategy Technical Support to ensure license compliance:
 

1. The number of CPU's the license is issued for.
2. The number of CPU's physically available on the machine.

If the number of CPU's on the machine is larger than the number of CPU's available in the license, users could potentially run into an out of compliance situation, and the following steps should not be carried out.
 
For more information about licensing and compliance, refer to the following Strategy Knowledge Base articles:
KB10122: Processor Affinity Implementation in MicroStrategy 9.x - 10.
KB9737: License Compliance Auditing modifications introduced in MicroStrategy 7i Release 11 (7.5.1 products) applicable to version 10.x
If the user installed Strategy Intelligence Server Universal with a root account, it is possible to change the setup so that the server can be started up using a non-root account. The remainder of this technical note discusses how this can be done:
 

1. Install Strategy Intelligence Server using the root account.
2. Change the owner of the files to be the new non-root user account (and non root user group. This can be done using the following command:
   chown -hR <new user account>:<user group> <Install folder>
   
3. The -h option is needed to change the owner on symbolic links as well.
    
   
4. If the user has previously registered Strategy Intelligence Server to start as a service, follow the steps in the following Strategy Knowledge Base technical note to ensure that the server can be started without an error:
   
5. KB15436: How to register MicroStrategy Intelligence Server Universal 9.x to start with a non-root account on Linux operating systems

 
The user should now be able to run Strategy Intelligence Server under the non-root account required.
 
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.
 
Disclaimers and Limitation of Liabilities:
Disclaimer: The utility application is provided "as is" and without warranty of any kind. Strategy Expressly disclaims all warranties, express, implied or statutory, including, without limitation, the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, satisfactory quality and noninfringement.
 
Limitation of Liability: Strategy shall have no liability to licensee for any damages of any kind, including, but not limited to, liability for direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential, damages (which shall include, but not be limited to, loss of data or information, loss of revenue or anticipated profits or lost business).