Create/Update DB Alias

Optim™ supports the use of any number of database instances. However, there must be a unique DB Alias in the active Optim Directory for each database instance. A DB Alias serves as a high-level qualifier for naming database tables and provides a single name for connecting to a particular database. You can define the necessary DB Aliases at installation. You also can use the Configuration program to add DB Aliases after installation by selecting Configuration Assistant from the Help menu or by selecting Create/Update DB Alias from the Tasks menu.

Notes:
  • If you are using the Server to access data that is referenced by the DB Alias, you also must add the DB Alias information to the Connections tab on the Optim Server Settings applet. See Configure the Optim server on a Windows platform.
  • If Object Security is enabled and DB Alias objects are secured when saved, a new DB Alias is secured by an ACL modeled after the Optim Object Template ACL. If the Optim Object Template ACL is not defined when you create a DB Alias, you must define an ACL for each object that requires an ACL. For more information about securing objects, see Access Control List.

Specify Optim Directory

The first step in creating a new DB Alias is to specify the Optim Directory where you want to store that DB Alias. The Configuration program displays the Specify Optim Directory dialog.

Create/Update Optim Directory - Specify Optim Directory dialog

The option to Use Existing Optim Directory and Registry Entry is selected. Specify the name of the Optim Directory you want to use. To select from a list, click the down arrow. To continue, click Proceed.

The Configuration program opens a query dialog.

Example of the Create/Update DB Alias for the Optim Directory Database dialog.

If you plan to use Optim to access user tables (other than Optim Directory tables) on the database, select the Create/Update DB Alias for the Optim Directory Database check box. If you want to create a DB Alias for another database (or server), clear the check box.

Create/Select DB Alias

On the Create/Select DB Alias dialog, specify the DB Alias name.

Create/Update DB Alias - Create/Select DB Alias dialog

From this point, the task is similar to creating a DB Alias when you configure the first workstation. For details, see Create DB Aliases.

You specify the DB Alias DBMS and then connect to the database with a user ID, password, and a connection string or other qualifier. You also create or update the DB Alias, packages, plans, or procedures. The following guidelines apply:

  • If you update an existing DB Alias and specify a valid connection string or other qualifier (for packages, plans, or procedures) that differs from the one associated with the DB Alias, you are prompted to update the DB Alias.
  • If you attempt to create a DB Alias for a database that has the same signature as an existing DB Alias, the Configuration program displays a warning message.
  • For Sybase ASE or SQL Server, if you intend to convert existing DB Aliases to use shared stored procedures, select the Create/Select Multiple option.
  • For SQL Server, if you selected to create/select multiple DB aliases, the user ID must have system administrator (sysadmin) privileges.

After you create the DB Alias, you can create Optim Primary Keys and Load the Sample Tables included with the Optim solution if these options are available for the DBMS. If you have a Data Privacy license, you also can load and drop the Data Privacy Data Tables provided with the solution if this option is available for the DBMS. The Configuration program then prompts you to create or update DB Aliases for other databases and repeats the process. Otherwise, the process completes and returns to the main window.