Creating a data source connection

A data source connection specifies the parameters needed to connect to a database, such as the location of the database and the timeout duration. These parameters form a connection string for the data source.

You can include authentication information for the database in the data source connection by creating a signon. Users need not enter database authentication information each time the connection is used because the authentication information is encrypted and stored on the server. The signon produced when you create a data source is available to the Everyone group. Later, you can modify who can use the signon or create more signons.

If you are an administrator, you can set up all required data sources before models are created in Framework Manager so that all connections are available in the Framework Manager Metadata wizard.

Before you begin

You must have write permissions for the folder where you want to save the data source, and for the Cognos namespace. You must also have execute permissions for the Data Source Connections secured feature.

About this task

Data sources are stored in the Cognos namespace and must have unique names. For example, you cannot use the same name for a data source and a group. Existing data source connections cannot be edited in Framework Manager.

Procedure

  1. Click the namespace, folder, or segment you want to import into.
  2. Click Actions, Run Metadata Wizard.
  3. In the Select Metadata Source window, click Data Sources, Next.
  4. In the Select Data Source window, click New.
  5. In the name and description page, type a unique name for the connection and, optionally, a description and screen tip, and then select Next.
  6. In the connection page, from the Type drop-down list, select the type of data source you want to create.

    If your data source is not listed, select Other type.

  7. If necessary, specify an isolation level for your data source.
  8. Enter any parameters that make up the connection string, and specify any other settings, such as a signon or a timeout.
  9. Click Test the connection, Test to test whether parameters are correct.

    If prompted, type a user ID and password or select a signon, and then click OK. If you are testing an ODBC connection to a User DSN, you must be logged on as the creator of the DSN for the test to succeed.

    In the Status column, you can see if the connection was successful. If it was unsuccessful, select Close, return to the previous steps and verify your connection parameters.

  10. If you selected the Configure JDBC Connection check box, specify the JDBC connection information for the data source. The JDBC connection information must be for the same database as the connection information you entered in Step 7.

    You can also click Test the Connection to verify your JDBC connection information.

    JDBC connection information is required if you want to publish packages from Framework Manager with the Use Dynamic Query Mode option enabled.

Results

The data source connection that you create in Framework Manager, is also available in IBMDB2® Cognos Administration, and in the new administration interface in Manage > Data server connections.

What to do next

You can test the data source connection from the Data Sources folder in the Project Viewer. Right-click the data source, and click Test.