Using a DSN-Less Connection with ODBC Authentication

You can use a DSN-less connection to create an ODBC connection between EFT Server and the database, using a connection string. Connections made in this way are called DSN-less, because they do not require the system administrator to create an ODBC DSN (Data Source Name; data structure that contains the information about a database that an Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) driver needs in order to connect to it. Included in the DSN is information such as the name, directory, and driver of the database, and the ID and password of the user.). Rather than relying on information stored in a file or in the system registry, DSN-less connections specify the driver name, and all driver-specific information in the connection string. The connection strings described below combine all the information EFT Server needs to connect to the database. If you have several simultaneous database connections, a DSN-less connection may be slightly faster than a DSN connection; however, a DSN-less connection is hard-coded to use a certain driver, user identity, and network location, and needs to be updated when the database parameters change. It is recommended that you use a DSN whenever possible.

To create a Site with a DSN-less connection

1. Follow the procedure in Configuring ODBC Authentication Options.

2. In the Authentication Provider Options dialog box, type the connection string per the guidelines below.
   
   

To create the string for a DSN-less connection

You must know the correct driver to use with your database. Create a connection string as described below and type it into the Authentication Provider Options dialog box. The connection string includes the name of the driver you need for your database, the location of your database, the name of your database, and, if necessary, a user name and password to access the database. Connection strings are lists of keywords and associated values; each keyword identifies a particular connection attribute.

For local databases, the connection string must include:

• Provider [Provider=]

• Driver [DRIVER=]

• Database path and name, including the file extension [Dbq=]

• Username [Uid] and Password [Pwd] are required only if the database is password protected

For remote databases, your connection string must include:

• Driver [DRIVER=]

• Server [SERVER]

• Database [DATABASE]

• Username [UID]

• Password [PWD]

Examples

• If you are pointing to an Access 2000 database on a local computer named Example that is in the xyz sub-folder of your c drive, the connection string is:

Provider=MSDASQL;Driver={Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb)};Dbq=c:/xyz/Example.mdb;Uid=;Pwd=;

With some installations, you may need to add a pointer to a Microsoft Access workgroup file as well as the username and password. A default installation of Access does not require this.

• If you have a remote MYSQL database named Example your connection string is:

Provider=MSDASQL;DRIVER={MySQL ODBC 3.51 Driver};SERVER=10.10.10.1;DATABASE=Example;UID=myusername;PWD=mypassword;

Do not put any line breaks in your connection strings.