Specify Data Connections for the BA Server
The User Console is used to define the connection to where you store data. We support accessing data stored in these ways.
- Comma separated values (CSV) files or any file that can be converted to CSV, such as spreadsheets, XML, or other semi-structured or tabular data file
- JDBC drivers , to help with database connections
CSV Files
To work with .csv files, the only required information is the location of the files.
Use .csv files if you want to get started quickly, have used the Pentaho Trial Download, are evaluating or testing, or do not have the information or expertise to configure a database connection. There is nothing you need to do now to configure these connections.
JDBC Database Connections
To connect to databases, install the driver for your database, as well as define the access protocol and settings now. You can choose from these access protocols.
- Native (JDBC): This is a commonly used access protocol. Please see details in the Database Access Protocol Decision Table to ensure you make an informed choice.
- JNDI: This also is a commonly used access type. Please see details in the Database Access Protocol Decision Table to ensure you make an informed choice.
- ODBC: We do not support ODBC, but we make it available in case you need it. If you must use ODBC, contact Pentaho support to ensure you are successful.
- OCI: If you are connecting to an Oracle database, click this link to install the appropriate OCI driver and add the OCI connection now.
| Explore Considerations | Choose Options | |
|---|---|---|
| Native (JDBC) | JNDI | |
| Summary | Native (JDBC) connections are the easiest way to get going quickly. You specify the connection information in the User Console. The connections are controlled by the BA Server. If the connection information changes, you change it in the User Console for each connection you have defined. | JNDI connections are maintained in the application server, offering more advanced configuration options. One typical use case is you may want to hide security credentials from administrators of the Pentaho system. You specify the connection information by editing the context.xml file and selecting JNDI as the access type in the User Console. If the connection information changes, you change the context.xml file. |
| Expertise | Knowledge of the JDBC driver and options for your RDBMS | Knowledge of Tomcat or JBoss JNDI connection procedures and options |
| Time | Approximately 10 minutes | Approximately 30 minutes |
| Recommendation | Use for the Pentaho Trial Download and evaluation. | Use for production, when the work environment is distributed in a network, or if you want to hide security credentials from Pentaho administrators. |