Creating shared repository connections

You create a shared repository connection to set up the information that will enable you to connect to a shared repository that resides in a database using a client/server JDBC connection.

1. Open the second page of the Create New Repository Connection wizard.
2. Specify a name for the repository connection in the Connection name field. This name will be used to identify the connection as it appears in the Repository Connections view. You can enter any name but it is recommended that the name identifies the repository for which this connection information applies.
3. Select the Connect immediately check box to connect to the shared repository immediately. If this check box is clear, the connection information will be created, saved and displayed in the Repository Connections view, but you will not be immediately connected to the repository.
4. In the JDBC Driver field specify the library for the JDBC driver that will be used to access the database that is hosting the repository storage. You can select from a drop down list of libraries that you defined when you set up the JDBC driver information. You can use the ellipsis (...) to the right of the field to open the JDBC Libraries dialog where you can create additional JDBC driver libraries.
   Note: If you work with a Db2® for z/OS® database, you can use the Direct DRDA Connection. In contrast to JDBC libraries, the Direct DRDA Connection comes with QMF and does not require additional driver installation.

   Note: The Direct DRDA Connection is supported only for DB2 for z/OS version 9 and later. Do not use it for Db2 LUW or DB2 for iSeries. For more information, see Using DRDA to connect to database repositories and data sources.
5. In the JDBC URL list, specify the URL that points to the database that hosts the repository storage within which the repository to which you want to connect resides.

   The format for the URL can be displayed in the list.

   Note: You can also use the Build URL by URL Template dialog box to form the correct string.

   Click Build URL to open the Build URL by URL Template dialog box. From the JDBC URL drop-down list, select the template. In the table, specify the server, port, and database information and click OK. The result URL string is added to the JDBC URL list.

6. Click Advanced to specify any driver-specific connection string keywords and their values that will be used when connecting to this shared repository. For information on any keywords that are required by a selected database driver, consult the specific driver's documentation.
   Note: For the DB2® Type 4 UDB driver, to receive extended SQL exception error messages, check the retrieveMessagesFromServerOnGetMessage option in the Advanced JDBC Settings window.
7. To configure a PassTickets-based Single Sign-on connection between QMF and Db2 for z/OS database, click Single Sign-on.
8. In the JDBC Driver field specify the library for the JDBC driver that will be used to access the database that hosts the repository. Select from a drop-down list of libraries that you defined when you set up the JDBC driver information. Click the ellipsis (...) to open the JDBC Libraries window where you can create additional JDBC driver libraries.
9. In the JDBC URL field specify the URL that points to the database that hosts the repository storage within which the repository to which you want to connect resides. The format for the URL can be displayed in the field if you specified an example when setting up the JDBC libraries.
10. Optional: If you are using the Direct DRDA Connection to connect to the repository for the first time, you must bind Direct DRDA packages. To do so, complete the following steps:
    1. Click Bind Packages.
    2. In the Owner ID field, enter a privileged SQLID with the necessary rights for the binding process. If the value of this field is not specified, the user name from the Set User Information dialog will be used.
    3. Click Install.
11. Click Set User Information to specify the user information that will be used to connect to the repository. The Set User Information window opens.
    1. Select the User ID and password are required check box to specify that user information will be requested each time a connection is made to this shared repository. In some cases, leaving this check box clear will enable users to access the repository without overtly specifying their user information.
    2. Enter the user ID and password that will be used to access the specified repository database in the User name and Password fields.
    3. To remember the password, select the Remember password check box.

       If you do not select the Remember password check box, the system will prompt you for a user ID and password whenever you open the Edit Repository Connection wizard.

    4. To enable the Single-Use Password Mode, click Advanced and select Enabled.
       In the Repository storage connections timeout field, enter the time in minutes that the Single-Use Password Mode feature will remain enabled (while not being used) without being closed by application.

       Note: A value of zero 0 sets unlimited idle state for the connection timeout, meaning that connection will close only when the session ends.

       Enabling the Single-Use Password Mode feature provides users with the ability to log into the repository for the entire session without having to reenter his or her user ID and password.

12. Click OK to close the User Information window.
13. Select Hide from web service clients to exclude this connection from the list of available connections in the Repository connection name field in QMF for WebSphere®.

    This check box is displayed in QMF for WebSphere user interface only. If you are working in the QMF for Workstation user interface, Hide from web service clients is not an option.

    If you select this check box, the user cannot establish a web service connection to this repository connection.

14. In the Repository name field, select the repository to connect to. If no repositories are listed, click Refresh .
15. Click Finish.

    The repository connection that you have just created will appear in the Repository Connections view. If you have QMF Registry configured for your QMF client, select Local from the Server list in the Repository Connections view.

    If you selected the Connect immediately check box, you are connected to this repository. This repository connection information is entered in the connections settings file.

    The next step to creating repository connection information is to distribute this information to each user that will be running QMF for Workstation or to the server (workstation) that is running QMF for WebSphere.