Create an External Connection to an OLE DB

Create a connection to connect CSM through OLE DB to an Oracle Database. OLE Database is a standard that allows CSM to connect to a variety of databases in a common format.

1. Open or create a Blueprint.
2. Select Managers > External Connections to open the External Connections Manager.
3. Select Create New.
   The External Connection Wizard opens.
4. Select Next to open the Data Source page.
5. On the Login options page, select the Use Trusted Agents check box if you use the Trusted Agents feature and want to control how the system logs in to the external data source.
6. Select one of the following options, and then select Next.
   • Any Trusted Agent Group: Select to allow any group to handle requests for this external connection.
   • Trusted Agent Group: Select a specific group to handle requests for this external connection.
7. On the Data Source page, select OLE DB, and then select Next.
8. On the OLE DB Provider page, select an OLE DB Provider, and then select Next.
   If you are using Oracle as the provider, there are some differences in the wizard. Drivers are available from Oracle: www.oracle.com/database/technologies/instant-client.html. Consult Oracle Support if you need assistance locating this driver. There are also OLE Database drivers from third-party vendors that can be used.
9. On the Database Location page, select one the following database locations of the connecting database, and select Next.
   • Located on this Machine: Select this option if running a local database. Typically, this is only for evaluation systems.
   • Specific Server: Select this option to select a database installed on a named server, and then select the named server.
   • IP Address: Select this option to select a database installed on a server referenced by an IP address, and then provide the IP address.
   • Data Comes from file: Select this option if the driver connects directly to a file rather than to a database server. If selected, the Database field is replaced with a File field.
     This radio button is only shown when CSM does not detect if the provider connects to a database or a file.
10. On the Select Database page, provide the name of the database/file to which to connect, or select Browse to see a list of available databases/files.
11. On the Login to server window, select to use either Windows authentication or the ID and password of the server.
    The system runs for a few minutes, and then the Choose a Value window opens.
12. Select a database, then select Next.
13. On the Login Options page, if the database requires login information, select the Login Required check box and either:
    • Windows Authentication: Uses the stored Windows credentials (user name and password) for authentication.
    • User ID and Password: Provide a user ID and password.
      The account must have select rights for each table that is imported or linked to CSM. If CSM is allowed to update data in the database, this account must also have insert and update rights.
14. Select Next.
15. On the Database Owner or Schema page, select an option from the drop-down list or provide a database owner or schema. This field should be pre-populated. Select Next.
16. On the Pooling Options page, select either Use OLE DB connection pooling or No pooling.
17. On the Connection name page, provide a name and description (optional) of the database connection, and then select Next.
    The Connection String page opens, displaying the connection string that is used to connect to the database. Modify the connection string, if needed. Many examples of connection strings can be found at www.connectionstrings.com.
18. Select Test Connection to verify the connection to the server/database. Text appears next to the button confirming the connection is successful.
19. Select Finish. A connection now exists to the External OLE Database database.
20. Publish the Blueprint (File > Publish Blueprint) to commit the changes, or save the Blueprint (File > Save Blueprint) to continue making other changes.