Connecting to a database

You can analyze performance data that is produced by CICS® Performance Analyzer for z/OS® and stored in a DB2® database. Before you can analyze the data, enter the information to connect to the database and associate the connection with a credential to authenticate that connection.

Before you begin

You must have details of the connection to the database where CICS PA stores its data, the correct level of authorization, and be connected to your company's network.

You require a suitable credential, that is, a set of information that you use to authenticate the connection to the database where CICS PA stores its data. For details about creating credentials, see Defining connection credentials in the CICS Explorer® User Guide.

Note: System connections can now be secured by using the SSL protocol. For more information, see Using SSL security for Explorer connections, and Managing SSL security and certificates.

About this task

The following procedure describes how to configure a new CICS PA database connection.

Alternatively, you can load or import shared connection definitions from a central location, or connection definitions from another user. For details, see Using shared connection definitions in the CICS Explorer User Guide.

Procedure

  1. On the workbench menu, click Window > Manage Connections. The Host Connections view is displayed.
  2. From the list of connection types, select Performance Analyzer and click Add.
  3. In the Add Performance Analyzer Connection window, complete the fields with the details that your system or database administrator provided:
    The Add Performance Analyze Connection window
    Option Description
    Name The local name that you give to this database connection. Use this name to distinguish between different database connections.
    Host name The TCP/IP host name of your database server.
    Port Number The port used to access the server. By default, DB2 on z/OS listens for connections on port 448.
    Secure connection (TLS/SSL) Select this check box if the connection uses SSL security.
    DB2 Location The name of the DB2 location on the server.
    DB2 Schema (Qualifier) The qualifier of the schema name used for the database. This name is specified when CICS PA is installed, for example CICSPA52.
  4. Do one of the following:
    • To save the configuration and connect immediately, click Save and Connect. In the Signon window, select the user credentials that you want to associate with the connection and click OK.

      Your new connection is shown in the Host Connections view. The credential that is associated with the connection is shown in brackets after the connection name.

    • To save the configuration without connecting, click Save and Close.

      Optionally, associate a credential with the connection. Right-click the connection name, click Set Credentials to show the available credentials, then click the credential that you require.

      If you do not associate a credential with the connection at this time, you will be prompted for the credential when you start the connection.

      To start the connection later, select the connection from the list in the Host Connections view, then click Connect.

Results

If you started the connection and the connection is successful, a message is displayed in the CICS Explorer status bar and the connection icon is green. You can now select data for analysis.

If the connection is not successful, an error message is displayed in the CICS Explorer status bar. Use the information in the message to check the values in the fields and correct any errors, then try to connect again.

What to do next

You can export your connections to back them up or to share them with other users. In the toolbar of the Host Connections view, click the Export Connections to File icon Export Connections to File icon, then enter the required path and file name. The default file type is pref.