Create an External Connection to a MySQL or SQL Server Database

An External Connection connects CSM to an External Database. The steps below are specifically for an External Connection between CSM and a SQL Database.

Requirements for SQL Server and MySQL Connections:

• MySQL Server must be installed.
• User rights must be granted.
• Know the location and name of the server.

To create an External Connection to a MySQL or SQL Server Database:

1. Open or create a Blueprint.
2. Select Managers>External Connections to open the External Connections Manager.
3. Click Create New.

   The External Connection Wizard opens.

4. Click Next.

5. On the Login options page:
   • Select the Use Trusted Agents check box if you use the Trusted Agents feature and you want to control how the system logs in to the external data source.
   • Select one of these options:
     • Any Trusted Agent Group: Select to allow any group to handle requests for this External Connection.
     • Trusted Agent Group: Select a specific group to handle requests for this External Connection.
   • Click Next.

   For more information, refer to Import External Data Using Trusted Agents.

6. On the Data Source page:
   1. Click MySQL or SQL Server.

   2. Click Next.

7. On the Database Location page, the location of the SQL Database:
   • Located on this machine: Select this option if running a local database. Typically, this is only for evaluation systems.
   • Specific Server: Select this option to select a database installed on a named server, and then click the Specific server in the drop-down.

     Note: If the connection is to a named instance of SQL (a non-default instance of SQL), and then specify the instance in the Specific Server value using the format: DatabaseServer\InstanceName.

   • IP Address: Select this option to select a database installed on a server referenced by an IP address, and then provide the database server IP address.

8. Click Next.

9. On the Select Database page, click Browse.

   The Login to server window opens.

10. Select a login radio button to use either:
    • Windows authentication: Use the stored Windows credentials (user name and password) for authentication.
    • User ID and Password: Provide the server User ID and Password.

11. Click OK.

    The system runs for a few minutes and the Choose a Value window opens.

12. Choose a Value:
    1. Click a database.

    2. Click OK.

    3. Click Next on the wizard page.
13. On the Login Options page, provide the Login Options:
    1. If the database requires login information, select the Login Required check box and either:
       • Windows Authentication: Uses the stored Windows credentials (user name and password) for authentication.
       • User ID and Password: Provide a User ID and Password.

         Note: The account must have select rights for each table that is imported or linked to CSM. If CSM is allowed to update data in the database, this account must also have insert and update rights

    2. Click Next.

14. On the Database Owner or Schema page, click an option from the drop-down or provide a Database owner or schema. This field should be pre-populated.
    Note: Not all databases have this concept. If implemented and CSM is able to read the available owners, then they are listed in the drop-down. If not, provide the owner name. If unsure, provide the default dbo.
15. On the Pooling Options page, select a Connection Pooling option for the database:
    • Select the Use default pooling options radio button.
    • Select the Customize the pooling options radio button, and then provide the minimum and maximum pool size.

    • Click Next.

    The Connection name page opens.

16. On the Connection name page:
    1. Provide a Name for the database connection.
    2. (Optional) Provide a Description for the database connection.

    3. Click Next.

    The Connection String page opens, showing the connection string that is used to connect to the database. Modify the connection string, if needed. Many examples of connection strings can be found at www.connectionstrings.com.

17. Click Test Connection to verify the connection to the server/database.

    Text appears next to the button confirming the connection is successful.

18. Click Finish.

    There is now a connection to the SQL Server database.

19. Publish the Blueprint (File>Publish Blueprint) to commit the changes, or save the Blueprint (File>Save Blueprint) to continue making other changes.