Creating a relational model

To create relational models in Cognos® Cube Designer, you must import metadata and define the required objects. Query subjects are the basic objects in a relational model.

You can import metadata only from a Content Manager data source. You must perform a separate import for each schema that you want to use. A separate file is created for each data source from which you import metadata. The metadata, one file per schema, is cached on your computer in the cognos_analytics_location\data directory to improve performance.

For more information, see Getting started with Cognos Cube Designer.

Before you begin

Check the following prerequisites:

  • The data source connection to the database uses a Java™ Database Connectivity (JDBC) driver. This is required by dynamic query mode.
  • The data source is defined in the administration component of IBM Cognos Analytics. If a data source does not exist, you must first create it. For more information, see the IBM Cognos Analytics Administration and Security Guide.

Procedure

  1. Start Cognos Cube Designer and select one of the following options from the Welcome page:
    • Create New from Metadata to import metadata into a new project.
    • Create New Blank Project to create a project.
  2. From the toolbar, click Get Metadata > Browse Content Manager Datasource.
  3. Select the database schema from which to import data, and then click OK. Repeat this step for each schema that you want to import.

    The imported metadata is shown as a list of database tables in the Source explorer tree. If your project contains more than one imported data source, each data source is shown in a separate panel. To view the contents of the data source, expand it.

  4. If you want to start building your model now, the first task is to define a query subject. For more information, see Defining query subjects.
  5. To save your project, from the File menu, click Save as. The project is saved as .fmd file.

What to do next

Continue defining the relational objects that include query subjects, query items, query item sets, determinants, and relationships.

You can also add filters and calculations to a relational model.