Crystal Reports Server functions and iSeries Access for Windows ODBC

Resolving The Problem

Crystal Reports Web component server and ASP reports server may require special configuration of the iSeries Access for Windows ODBC driver. The default datasource configuration may cause the Crystal reports server or Web application to appear to hang.

Crystal Reports is often configured to attempt a connection with no sign-on information resulting in a Web browser logon prompt. With the default settings, the iSeries Access for Windows ODBC driver receives the sign-on request and attempts to prompt a local desktop user for the correct logon information. When this occurs from an application running as a Windows Service, it results in a hang. To avoid the problem, Client Access must be configured as described below.

Note: Crystal Report technical support has a knowledgebase article that states (in part):
"AS/400 Client Access software does not have the ability to communicate with Windows NT Services."
This information is outdated and applies only to unsupported releases - R313 and earlier of Client Access for Windows. The end of service date for R313 was 05/31/2000. Current versions of iSeries Access for Windows fully support this environment.

iSeries Access for Windows V5R1 and Later

Use the ODBC Data Source Administrator to configure the system datasource being used. On the General tab, click the Connection Options button. Change the Signon dialog prompting to Never prompt for SQLConnect. Click OK to save the changes.




Client Access Express V4R5

The fix for APAR SA91323 is required. V4R5 users must apply Service Pack SF66513 or later. After installing the service pack, the prompt mode must be changed as described in the special instructions included in the APAR text.

Client Access Express V4R4

R440 of Client Access Express is no longer supported; however, a fix does exist for R440. R440 users must first apply Service Pack SF65706 (the final service pack) and then install the cwbodbc.dll file available at ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/as400/products/clientaccess/win32/v4r4m0/files/odbc/sf65706post/.
After installing the fix, the prompt mode must be changed as described in the special instructions included in the APAR text.

Client Access V3R2

No fix is available for Client Access V3R2 or earlier. Users should upgrade to a supported release.