Configuring the ODBC data source and driver (Windows)

When you install an ODBC driver, the installation program creates an entry for a system data source called NZSQL. You then configure that data source to connect to a Netezza Performance Server system data source. You can also configure a user data source. A system DSN defines a data source that is available to all users of the client system. A user DSN defines a data source that is available only to the user who defined it.

Before you begin

Get the following configuration information from your Netezza Performance Server system administrator:

The name of the database (and schema, if the database supports multiple schemas) on the Netezza Performance Server system
The server host name or IP address of your Netezza Performance Server system
A valid user ID for accessing the system or user data source
A valid password for accessing the system or user data source
Remember: The password cannot include double quotation marks or semicolons.

Procedure

Start the administrator in one of the following ways:
- For a 32-bit data source on a 32-bit system or a 64-bit data source on a 64-bit system, click Start > Administrative Tools > Data Sources (ODBC).
- For a 32-bit data source on a 64-bit system, enter the following information:
```
C:\windows\syswow64\odbcad32.exe
```
  The 32-bit DSNs are not displayed in the 64-bit administrator.
In the ODBC Data Source Administrator window, click either the System DSN tab or the User DSN tab.
Select either of the following options:
- To configure an existing DSN, click Configure. Clicking Configure displays the ODBC Driver Setup window.
- To configure a new DSN, click Add. Clicking Add displays the Create New Data Source window. Select NetezzaSQL as the driver and click Finish.
In the ODBC Driver Setup window, configure the DSN and driver options. See Configuring the DSN and driver options with ODBC Driver Setup.
Attempt to establish a connection to the data source on your Netezza Performance Server system server by clicking the DSN Options tab and then clicking Test Connection.
A message box is displayed, indicating that the connection attempt was either successful or failed:
- If the connection attempt fails, check for erroneous configuration information, correct it, and test the connection again. If you cannot establish a connection after checking for errors, contact your Netezza Performance Server system administrator.
- A successful connection message indicates that you successfully configured an entry for the user or system data source.
Finish the data source configuration by closing any open configuration windows.