How to Configure a Report Server for Local Administration on windows7, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008

Deploying Reporting Services on Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 requires additional configuration steps if you want to administer a report server instance locally. Both Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 limit the overuse of elevated permissions by removing administrator permissions when accessing applications. Because the operating system removes permissions, members of the local Administrators group run most applications as if they using the Standard User account.

While this practice improves the overall security of your system, it prevents you from using the predefined, built-in role assignments that Reporting Services creates for local administrators. However, with additional configuration on your part, you can effectively manage report server content and operations using standard user permissions if you do the following:

Add Reporting Services URLs to trusted sites. By default, Internet Explorer 7.0 on Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 runs in Protected Mode, a feature that blocks browser requests from reaching high-level processes that run on the same computer. You can disable protected mode for the report server applications by adding them as Trusted Sites.

Create role assignments that grant you, the report server administrator, permission to manage content and operations without having to use the Run as administrator feature on Internet Explorer. By creating role assignments for your Windows user account, you gain access to a report server with Content Manager and System Administrator permissions through explicit role assignments that replace the predefined, built-in role assignments that Reporting Services creates for local administrators.

To configure local report server administration on Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008

  1. Open a browser window with Run as administrator permissions. From the Start menu, click All Programs, right-click Internet Explorer, and select Run as administrator.
  2. Click Allow to continue.
  3. In the URL address, enter the Report Manager URL.
  4. Click Tools.
  5. Click Internet Options.
  6. Click Security.
  7. Click Trusted Sites.
  8. Click Sites.
  9. Add http://<your-server-name>.
  10. Clear the check box Require server certification (https:) for all sites in this zone if you are not using HTTPS for the default site.
  11. Click Add.
  12. Click OK.
  13. In Report Manager, on the Home page, click Properties.
  14. Click New Role Assignment.
  15. Type your Windows user account in this format: <domain>\<user>.
  16. Select Content Manager.
  17. Click OK.
  18. Click Site Settings in the upper corner of the Home page.
  19. Click Configure Site-wide security.
  20. Click New Role Assignment.
  21. Type your Windows user account in this format: <domain>\<user>.
  22. Select System Administrator.
  23. Click OK.
  24. Close Report Manager.
  25. Re-open Report Manager in Internet Explorer, without using Run as administrator.