DB Aliases

A DB Alias is a user-defined object associated with a database. When you define a DB Alias, you provide parameters that Optim™ uses to communicate with that database. These parameters include the type and version of the database management system (DBMS) and any required connection specifications.

Note: DB Aliases are defined when you configure Optim. You must be authorized to define a DB Alias. See the Installation and Configuration Guide for additional information.

A DB Alias name serves as a high-level qualifier that allows you to access a specific database to perform requested functions. For example, in an Access Definition, you must qualify the name of a table with a DB Alias name. The referenced DB Alias supplies the parameters needed to connect to the database in which the table resides.

Databases

Optim supports several different database management systems. Since DB Alias parameters are DBMS-specific, the most common terms are used in this chapter where possible. Terms unique to database management systems are provided, when necessary.

You can create a DB Alias for a Teradata database, but you cannot create the Optim Directory in a Teradata database. Therefore, you must create the Optim Directory in another supported database, such as Oracle or DB2® with a Federation Server instance, and the DB Alias in that database must point to the Teradata database.

A DB Alias identifies a specific database and serves as a prefix in the fully qualified names of primary keys, database tables, and relationships. DB Aliases are essential elements in managing your databases. Keep in mind that:

Also, objects in the Optim Directory cannot have the same name as a DB Alias.

Contents

This section describes the use of the DB Alias Editor to maintain DB Aliases. Included are specifications for DB Aliases, including general parameters, connection specifications, and server details.