AS400 Connection - What info do I need?

[tubbers]

The IT guys in our organization have written two views for me to use in a Crystal Report. They are not familiar with Crystal and I'm not familiar with the AS400 iSeries in any way shape or form.

I have access to the views through the iSeries Navigator: My Connections -> Databases -> Schemas -> MyMDB -> Views -> MyView. When I double-click on the view, it successfully runs.

I'm trying to connect to Crystal Reports. We're using Crystal Reports Server XI. I've tried the following: Create New Connection -> ODBC (RDO) -> Data Source Selection. I'm stopped at this point. There is not an existing file DSN on my computer for this data source (to my knowledge). I do not have a connection string either.

My question is, what information do I need to ask the IT guys for in order to get either a file DSN created for my computer or a connection string? Is one method preferred over another?

My second attempt at connecting was via a OLE DB (ADO) connection: Create New Connection -> OLE DB (ADO) -> OLE DB Provider -> I select "IBM DB2 UDB for iSeries IBMDA400 OLE DB Provider" -> Connection Information -> I enter in the appropriate information and the right database shows up in the database drop down box. After I click finish, I only have the option to "Add Command". Is this a working connection? How would I write a command to extract the information from my view? It only has 4 fields and I know the names of them.

I appreciate any advice and suggestions. I've been reading various posts but I haven't had much luck.

 

[satinsilhouette]

You need to build either an odbc connection through the administration tools on your desktop or have an OLEDB available to pick up through CR.

Thanks so much!
satinsilhouette

 

[tubbers]

I was able to get administrative right and set up a File DSN. I can now connect and run a report with the views.

I discovered though that I cannot schedule the report in Crystal Reports Server XI. Depending on the settings I use under Process -> Database, I get the following:
1. Unable to connect: In correct log on parameters
2. Failed to load database information
3. The database logon information for this report is either incomplete or incorrect.

I did not create a File DSN on the server which hosts the Crystal Reports Server. Is this necessary? What settings could I be missing that could cause these different types of error messages?

The File DSN was created using the iSeries Access Driver and the various settings suggested by fredp1 in thread 766-911701:
User the General Tab, click on the connection Options button
Default User ID: Use Operations Navigator
Signon dialog prompting: Never prompt for SQLConnect
Security: Do Not use SSL
Click Okay

On the Server Tab
SQL Default Library: your library name
Library list: leave blank

Click the advance button
commit mode:Commit Immediate

Under the Packages tab
Package library: your library name(Same as before)

Under The Translation tab
Enbale Convert binary data to text

I also created a System DSN using the same settings as above. I didn't know if there were any differences between a file and a system DSN. Still had the same problems.