Data sources and connections
A data source defines the physical connection to a database. The data source connection specifies the parameters needed to connect to the database, such as the location of the database and the timeout duration.
A data source connection can include credential information and signon, see Create or Modify a Data Source Signon. You can also add new connections to a data source and modify existing connections, see Add or Modify a Data Source Connection.
You can make more than one data source connection available by combining them, along with other elements, in packages created and published using Framework Manager. For information specific to the data source that you are using, see the pertinent section in this chapter. For instructions on creating the package, see the IBM Cognos Framework Manager User Guide. You can also create and edit packages in IBM Cognos software for some data sources. For more information, see Packages.
You can secure data sources using IBM Cognos security. IBM Cognos software also respects any security that is defined within the data source, see Securing Data Sources.
You move data sources from one environment to another environment by deploying the entire content store, see Deployment.
Dynamic query mode
Dynamic query mode provides communication to data sources using Java/XMLA connections.
For supported relational databases, a type 4 JDBC connection is required. A type 4 JDBC driver converts JDBC calls directly into the vendor-specific database protocol. It is written in pure Java™ and is platform-independent.
For supported OLAP data sources, Java/XMLA connectivity optimizes access by providing customized and enhanced MDX for the specific source and version of your OLAP technology and it harnesses the smarts of the OLAP data source.
You can use the dynamic query mode with the following OLAP data sources:
- IBM Cognos TM1®
- SAP Business Information Warehouse (SAP BW)
- Oracle Essbase
- Microsoft Analysis Services
You can use the dynamic query mode with the following relational data sources:
- IBM DB2®
- IBM DB2 for z/OS®
- IBM Informix®
- IBM Netezza®
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Oracle
- SAP ECC
- Siebel
- Teradata
For more information about the dynamic query mode, including installing the drivers, see the IBM Cognos Business Intelligence Dynamic Query Guide.
To review an up-to-date list of environments that are supported by IBM Cognos Business Intelligence products, including information on operating systems, patches, browsers, web servers, directory servers, database servers, and application servers, see the IBM Software Product Compatibility Reports page (www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg27042164).