Microsoft KB Archive/920340

= FIX: A query may return incorrect results when you run the query against a SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services cube =

Article ID: 920340

Article Last Modified on 7/24/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services

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Bug #: 440398 (SQLBUDT)

Bug #: 861 (SQL Hotfix)



Microsoft distributes Microsoft SQL Server 2005 fixes as one downloadable file. Because the fixes are cumulative, each new release contains all the hotfixes and all the security fixes that were included with the previous SQL Server 2005 fix release.



SUMMARY
This article describes the following about this hotfix release:
 * The issues that are fixed by the hotfix package
 * The prerequisites for installing the hotfix package
 * Whether you must restart the computer after you install the hotfix package
 * Whether the hotfix package is replaced by any other hotfix package
 * Whether you must make any registry changes
 * The files that are contained in the hotfix package



SYMPTOMS
Consider the following scenario:
 * You run a query against a Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services cube.
 * The cube contains a dimension.
 * The dimension contains multiple user-defined hierarchies.

In this scenario, the query may return incorrect results. This problem occurs if the following conditions are true:
 * The multiple user-defined hierarchies have at least two attributes in common.

Note This problem does not occur if the multiple user-defined hierarchies have the All member and only one other attribute in common.
 * The attribute relationships are defined so that each hierarchy has a different relationship path between the two attributes in common.
 * The query retrieves data from an intermediate aggregation, and then the intermediate aggregation is aggregated again to solve the query.



CAUSE
This problem occurs because of a bug in the Analysis Services storage engine.



Hotfix information
A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem, submit a request to Microsoft Online Customer Services to obtain the hotfix. To submit an online request to obtain the hotfix, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=6294451

Note If additional issues occur or any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. To create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Prerequisites
 SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 1 (SP1)

For more information about how to obtain SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 1, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

913089 How to obtain the latest service pack for SQL Server 2005



Restart information
After you apply this hotfix, you do not have to restart the computer if the following conditions are true:
 * If Analysis Services is running as a named instance, you stop the SQL Server Browser service before you apply this hotfix.
 * You exit all Analysis Services tools and all client applications before you apply this hotfix.
 * You exit Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) before you apply this hotfix.

Registry information
You do not have to change the registry.

Hotfix replacement information
This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

Hotfix file information
This hotfix contains only those files that are required to correct the issues that this article lists. This hotfix may not contain all the files that you must have to fully update a product to the latest build.

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

SQL Server 2005 hotfix, 64-bit for Itanium processors


WORKAROUND
To work around this problem, use one of the following methods:
 * Rewrite the query to make sure that only one attribute relationship path exists.
 * Do not design aggregations on dimensions where multiple attribute relationship paths exist.



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section.



MORE INFORMATION
The following example shows how this problem occurs:  Hierarchy 1 contains the following attributes:

Store / District / Region / Division / Geography / BusinessLine

 Hierarchy 2 contains the following attributes:

Store / Market / Marketing Group / Division / Geography / BusinessLine

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In this example, each attribute has a relationship with the previous attribute in the hierarchy. The relationships in both hierarchies result in multiple relationship paths. In this example, multiple relationship paths exist from the Store attribute to the BusinessLine attribute.

If a query tries to access the BusinessLine attribute in hierarchy 1, Analysis Services may select an aggregation that exists for an attribute in hierarchy 2. When Analysis Services tries to aggregate along the relationships in hierarchy 2, the query returns incorrect results. The query returns incorrect results because hierarchy 2 does not include the Region attribute.

For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

Keywords: kbbug kbfix kbtshoot kbhotfixserver kbqfe kbpubtypekc KB920340

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