Configuring data connections

Some of the steps to configure a data connection are common to all categories of data connection. Other steps are specific to particular connection categories and data providers.

This table shows the available types of data connection:

Connection type Variants
Infor d/EPM OLAP
Other XMLA Providers External Infor Olap Server
Analysis Services
Relational Providers Microsoft SQL Server
Oracle Database Server
PostgreSQL Server
Amazon Redshift
Infor Olap Server
External Infor Olap Server

For all categories of data connection, there are these tabs:

  • General
  • Connection
  • Usage

In addition, relational and XMLA data connections have an Advanced tab.

For all categories of data connection you specify a name and, optionally, a description of the connection on the General tab. The unique name is automatically derived from the name that you specify.

The options of the Connection tab vary according to the category of connection.

Connection tab for OLAP connections

For OLAP data connections, you select the OLAP data source to connect to, in the Data Connection field. This enables other fields on the tab.

In the Authentication Method field, select Use Existing Connection or Basic.

If you select Basic authentication, specify the user name and password required to connect.

Connection tab for XMLA connections

For XMLA data connections, you can link to an existing connection in another application, or define a new connection. Linking to an existing connection is possible only if linking is enabled on the Usage tab of the existing application.

To define a new connection you select a data provider.

In the URL field, you specify the URL of the location of the data source.

Select Basic authentication and specify the user name and password for the data source.

You then select the database.

Connection tab for relational connections

For relational data connections, you can define a new connection, connect to the built-in staging database, or link to an existing connection in another application. Linking to an existing connection is possible only if linking is enabled on the Usage tab of the existing application.

To define a new connection you select a data provider. The remaining fields of the Connection tab depend on the selected provider.

Microsoft SQL Server
In the Host field, select the machine on which the data source is located.
Select the database and specify the user name and password to access it.
Oracle Database Server
You can use an existing TNS and select the service name of the tnsnames.ora file. Or, you can define the connection manually. If you select Define manually you must specify the server name, port, and select one of these connection types:
  • Default
  • Dedicated
  • Shared
Select one of these protocols:
  • TCP/IP
  • TCP/IP + SSL
  • Named Pipes
  • IPC
Specify the service name or service ID. Then specify the user name and password to connect to the data source.
PostgreSQL Server
In the Host field, select the machine on which the data source is located.
Specify the port.
Select the database and specify the user name and password to access it.
Amazon Redshift
In the Host field, select the machine on which the data source is located.
Specify the port.
Select the database and specify the user name and password to access it.
Infor OLAP
You can authenticate with the existing connection or select Basic authentication. For Basic authentication, specify the user name and password for the data source.
External Infor OLAP
To connect to an External Infor OLAP server, specify the URL of where the data source is located.
Select Basic authentication and specify the user name and password for the data source.
Select the database.

Usage tab

On the Usage tab you specify which clients the connection can be used in, and whether the connection can be used in other Infor d/EPM Platform applications.

Advanced tab for XMLA connections

For XMLA connections you can specify the command timeout and other connection string parameters. Any properties of the connection string can be used as parameters.

Click Get Fingerprint to retrieve the certificate of the remote server and populate the Fingerprint field. The data connection will not accept connections from any server that provides a different certificate.

Advanced tab for relational connections

For relational connections other than Infor OLAP connections, you can specify a command timeout and connection timeout. For all providers other than Amazon Redshift You can select one or more of these options:

Encrypt
The SQL Server uses SSL encryption for all data sent between the client and server.
Connection reset
Determines whether the database connection is reset when being removed from the pool.
Persist security info
Security-sensitive information, such as the password, is not returned as part of the connection.
Enable AlwaysOn Availability Groups support
Supports configuration of multiple primary databases and multiple secondary databases for failover.
Enlist
Enlists the connection in the creation thread's current transaction context.
SSL Mode
For PostgreSQL providers you can select one of these SSL modes:
  • Disable
  • Allow
  • Prefer
  • Require
Other connection string properties
Any properties of the connection string can be used as parameters
Fingerprint
Click GET FINGERPRINT to retrieve the certificate of the remote server and populate the Fingerprint field. The data connection will not accept connections from any server that provides a different certificate.