connection to Crystal Reports 1

[ICSFAB]

Okay -<br>
<br>
Looking for ideas about connection of Crystal Reports to an Oracle database. I have configured ODBC for MS SQL Server, never oracle. There is an Oracle driver shown in ODBC, but I need the Oracle data source name and the sql.net conntect string. I'm still pretty new to this stuff, so take it easy on me. If you "homer" your explanation down I'd love it. I'm fascinated by how much everone knows. Actually, any overview about how these connections work in general (ODBC, API, recommend good reading on the basics of all this?) would be interesting, too. <br>
Thanks - (a)

 

[MikeLacey]

Hi,<br>
<br>
This is a very general reply - email me if you need some specific help, address in my profile.<br>
<br>
The data source name is something you supply yourself (just make it up) and is the link between the app (Crystal) and ODBC itself.<br>
<br>
There is a bit more to the connect string... (bit long this so you'll have to bear with me)<br>
<br>
The flow of data goes like this:<br>
<br>
Application (Crystal)<br>
¦<br>
ODBC Driver<br>
¦<br>
SQL/Net<br>
¦<br>
Oracle Protocol Adaptor<br>
¦<br>
Network Stuff (Technical term referring to TCP etc)<br>
<br>
I know that you already have the top two layers - but do you have the bottom three?<br>
<br>
SQL/Net and the Protocol Adaptor used to be a single layer and they're still not well separated. You have a different Protocol Adaptor depending upon what kind of network you have (TCP, Netware, Named Pipes (NT)) SQL/Net is configured using the file TNSNAMES.ORA which should already be on yor system - given that all the software is installed on your PC.<br>
<br>
TNSNAMES.ORA is full of example entries and you should be able to modify the entry that relates to your protocol adaptor.<br>
<br>
Regards<br>
<br>
Mike<br>

 

[bookor]

Download the Data Access Components from Microsoft. That will give you the ODBC drivers. Ive never been able to get the Oracle provided ODBCD driver to work.<br>
<br>
As stated above you have to have sql/net or Net8 installed on your client and configured correctly.<br>
<br>
In ODBC configuration add a system dsn with the appropriate pieces of information to match your database.<br>
<br>
You should be able to make your link through crystal reports after that....<br>
<br>
at least until the first time you install something else on the client, or breath on it, or otherwise break the odbc..<br>
<br>