Create an External Connection to an OLE DB

An External Connection connects CSM to an External Database. The steps below are specifically for an External Connection between CSM and an OLE Database.

To create an External Connection to an OLE Server Database:

1. Open the External Connections Manager.

   To open the External Connection Manager:

   1. In the CSM Administrator main window, click the Blueprints category, and then click the Create a New Blueprint task.

      Note: If working on a saved Blueprint, open the existing Blueprint.

      The Blueprint Editor opens.

   2. From the menu bar, click Managers>External Connections.
2. Click the Create New button .

   The External Connection Wizard opens.

   

3. Click Next.

   The Database Source page opens.

   

4. Click OLE DB.

   Note: OLE Database is a standard that allows CSM to connect to a variety of databases in a common format.

5. Click Next.

   The OLE DB Provider page opens.

   

6. Select an OLE DB Provider.

   Note: Drivers should be available from a database vendor. Consult the database vendor for assistance locating this driver. There are also OLE Database drivers from third-party vendors that can be used.

   Note: Although ODBC Drivers is an option in this list, it is not compatible with the .NET OLE Database mechanism, which is used by CSM for communication with external data sources.

7. Click Next.

   The Database Location page opens.

   

8. Select the Database Location of the connecting database:
   • 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 a File: Select this option if the driver connects directly to a file rather than to a database server.
9. Click Next.

   The Select Database page opens.

   Note: If Data comes from a file is selected on the Database Location page, the Database field is replaced with a File field.

   

10. Provide the Name of the database/file to which to connect, or click Browse to see a list of available databases/files.
11. Click Next.

    The Login Options page opens.

    

12. If the database requires login information, provide it on this page, either:
    • Windows Authentication: Select this radio button to use the stored Windows credentials (username and password) for authentication.

      Note: When Cherwell Services use this connection, the account under which the Cherwell Application Service is running is the account whose credentials are used to connect to the database.

    • User ID and Password: Select this radio button to provide a User ID and Password.

      Note: 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.

13. Click Next.

    The Database Owner or Schema page opens.

    

14. Select a Database owner or schema in the drop down. This field should be pre-populated.

    Note: Not all databases have this concept. If implemented, and CSM is able to read the available owners, they are listed in the drop-down. If not, provide the owner name. If unsure, provide the dbo default.

15. Click Next.

    The Pooling Options page opens.

    

16. Select the Connection Pooling options for the database.

    Note: The defaults are usually acceptable for most scenarios; however, setting the pool sizes customizes the caching options.

17. Click Next.

    The Connection name page opens.

    

18. Provide a Name for the database connection.
19. (Optional) Provide a Description for the database connection.
20. Click Next.

    The Connection String page opens, displaying the connection string that is used to connect to the database (modify if needed).

    

21. Click Test Connection to verify that the connection to the server/database.

    Text appears next to the button confirming the connection is successful.

    Note: If the test connection is not successful, contact a DBA for help.

22. Click Finish.

    There is now a connection to the External OLE Database.

23. Publish the Blueprint (File>Publish Blueprint) to commit the changes, or save the Blueprint (File>Save Blueprint) to continue making other changes.