This file contains topics for Express Connection Editor only.
Remember to update AHLPINFO.DOC when you add, rename, or delete a topic!

File contents: (description here)

File structure: alphabetical

Audit trail:

(new audit trail entries here)

(date)	(name)	(description; wraps automatically)

04/23/98	RN	Final edits.

04/16/98	RN	Updated for 6.2 release.  Added stuff about Personal Express 6.

10/07/97	RN	Added Renee Fishman's review comments.

10/06/97	RN	Clarified Connection Settings Dialog Box and RAM Connections Settings Dialog Box at Support's request.

08/18/97  RN	Updated protocol info for Server 6.1 RTM: removed 2 new protocols (will go in Oct 3 RTM).

08/05/97  RN	Added transport protocols (Connection Settings Dialog Box).

04/25/97	CJ	More changes for 2.0.4

04/02/97	CJ	Drafted changes for 2.0.2.4.

01/29/97	DKH	Added Audit Trail header.


contents
Oracle Express Connection Editor

  Using the Express Connection Editor

Defining Connections

Editing Existing Connections

Managing Connections to Relational Databases

Setting the Path for Connection Files

  Dialog Boxes

Express Connection Editor Dialog Box

Connection Settings Dialog Box

Location for Connection (.XCF) File Dialog Box

Paths for Connection (.XCF) Files Dialog Box

Relational Access Manager Connections Settings Dialog Box


Connection Editor Help Version

A23781-1

042498


Defining Connections

You use the Express Connection Editor to specify information about connections to Express. The connection information for each connection is stored in a file with the .XCF extension. This information is used by Administrator and the client applications when they attempt to connect to Express.

To define a connection:

1.	In the Express Connection Editor dialog box, choose Define. The Connection Settings dialog box appears.

2.	In the Connection File Name box, enter the name for this connection file (without the .XCF extension). You must enter a name before you can save the connection file.

3.	In the Description box, enter the description for this connection. The description is visible to users when they choose which connection to make to Express. Therefore, you should make the description no more than approximately 40 characters. You must enter a description before you can save the connection file.

4.	In the Express Version box, select the version of Express for this connection. The version of Express that you select affects the availability of other options in the dialog box.

5.	Complete the remaining information in the dialog box. You can also define a connection to a relational database.

6.	After specifying connection information, choose Save. The Express Connection Editor displays the Location for Connection (.XCF) File dialog box.

7.	In this dialog box, select the directory in which you want to store this connection file and choose OK.

When you define a connection for a new instance of Express, be sure to verify that the database search path that is used by this Express instance includes the locations of all of the Oracle Express Client support files. To do so, verify the ServerDBPath setting, which is located in the File I/O tab of the Edit Settings dialog box in the Express Configuration Manager. See the Express Configuration Manager Help system for more information about the ServerDBPath setting. See the database administration guide for more information about the Oracle Express Client support files.


Editing Existing Connections

If you or someone else has already defined connections to Express, you can use the Express Connection Editor to edit those connections.

To edit an existing connection:

1.	In the Express Connection Editor dialog box, select the connection you want to edit.

2.	Choose Edit. The Connection Settings dialog box appears.

3.	Edit the connection information. You can also define or edit a connection to a relational database.

You cannot change the name for this connection file in the Connection File Name box.

3.	After specifying connection information, choose OK.


Managing Connections to Relational Databases

In the Express Connection Editor, you can define or edit connections that allow access to data in a relational database using Relational Access Manager.

To define or edit a connection to a relational database:

1.	In the Express Connection Editor dialog box, choose Define or Edit. The Connection Settings dialog box appears.

2.	Specify whether the connection is to Personal Express 6, Express Server 6, Personal Express 5, or Express Server 5.

3.	Select the Relational Access Manager Connection box.

4.	Choose either Direct (for a direct connection to Express) or XCA (for an XCA connection from Personal Express 5).

5.	Choose Settings to display the Relational Access Manager Connections Settings dialog box.

6.	Complete the information in the dialog box and choose OK to return to the Connection Settings dialog box.

7.	When you have finished specifying the connection information, save the file.


Setting the Path for Connection Files

The Express Connection Editor stores the connection specifications you make in files that have the .XCF extension. One connection is specified per file. When Administrator and client applications attempt to connect to Express, they search for these connection files. You use the Express Connection Editor to specify the path in which these products search for connection files.

To set the path for connection files:

1.	In the Express Connection Editor dialog box, choose Set Path. The Paths for Connection (.XCF) Files dialog box appears.

2.	Enter the complete path names of the directories that store connection files. Separate the names with semicolons.

3.	Choose OK.


Express Connection Editor Dialog Box

See Also

Use the Express Connection Editor dialog box to view, add, and edit information about connections to Express.

Dialog Box Components

Connection Descriptions box -- Lists the descriptions of connections for which you have previously created settings. If you made a connection file read-only, the chararacters "(read-only)" appear after the description.

Edit button -- Displays the Connection Settings dialog box, in which you edit the information for a connection.

Define button -- Displays the Connection Settings dialog box, in which you specify information for a new connection.

Set Path button -- Displays the Paths for Connection (.XCF) Files dialog box, in which you specify the list of paths where connection files are stored.

About button -- Displays the Express Connection Editor dialog box, where you can view product information, including the name and version of the product.


Connection Settings Dialog Box

See Also

Use the Connection Settings dialog box to add and edit information about a connection to Express.

Dialog Box Components

Connection File Name box -- Specifies a name for the connection file. When you are creating a new connection, you can type up to eight alphanumeric characters. When you close the dialog box, the utility creates a file with the .XCF extension. When you choose Edit in the Express Connection Editor dialog box, this box is read-only and displays the complete path name of the connection file. You must enter a name before you can save the connection file.

Description box -- Specifies the description of the connection. The description appears in the list of available connections that users see in Administrator or Express Client products when they want to connect to Express. Therefore, you should make the description no more than approximately 40 characters. You must enter a description before you can save the connection file.

Express Version box -- Specifies the version of Express -- either Personal Express 5, Express Server 6, Personal Express 5, or Express Server 5. This setting affects which options are available in the remaining parts of the dialog box.

Server String box -- Specifies information about the string that will be automatically created for the connection to Express Server or Personal Express 6. The options in this box are not available for connections to Personal Express 5.

Host Name box -- Specifies the host name or IP address of the Express Server machine.

Transport box -- Specifies the RPC transport protocol offered by the server interface.

For Personal Express 6, use ncalrpc.

For Express Server 6 remote connections, use ora_ro_tcp (Oracle Remote Operations) to connect to Unix operating systems. Use ncacn_ip_tcp (TCP/IP) to connect to Microsoft Windows NT operating systems.

For Express Server 6 local connections on Microsoft Windows NT, use ncalrpc. Use this protocol when the Express Client applications and Express Server 6 reside on the same machine, and the Express Client applications are 32-bit applications. The ncalrpc protocol is valid only with 32-bit applications, and you do not need to specify a host name.

For multiple Express Server 6 instances that are running on the same Microsoft Windows NT machine, you can make only one local connection, which must be made to the default instance of Express. Therefore, define one connection file for the default instance of Express that uses ncalrpc. Then, for every other instance of Express, define a connection file that uses ncacn_ip_tcp and specify the UUID for each instance.

For Express Server 5, use ora_ro_tcp to connect to Sun Solaris and Digital Unix operating systems. Use ncacn_ip_tcp to connect to HP-UX and IBM operating systems. Refer to the Oracle Express Server API Guide for more details about transport protocols.

UUID box -- Specifies the Universal Unique Identifier that uniquely identifies the Express instance. You only need to enter a UUID when you specify ncacn_ip_tcp in the Transport box. If you use the ora_ro_tcp protocol, leave the UUID box empty, and fill in the End Point box instead.

For Express Server 6, you must specify the UUID if there is more than one instance of Express Server running on the same machine. You can get the UUID from the Express Server Configuration Manager:  the UUID is the value of the ServiceObjectID on the Identifiers tab.

For Express Server 5, you must always specify the UUID. You can get the UUID number from the /etc/mdbrpcd.conf file on your Unix server. See the Express SNAPI Giude for information on UUIDs.

End Point box -- Specifies the port number on which the server accepts connection requests. Fill in the End Point box only when you use the ora_ro_tcp protocol. The End Point box setting is valid only with Express Server 5 or Express Server 6.

For Express Server 6, you can get the port number from the Express Server Configuration Manager--use the value of RoListenPortNumber on the Identifiers tab. The default port number is 12287.

For Express Server 5, you can get the port number from the /etc/mdbrpcd.conf file on your Unix server.

Authentication Type box -- Specifies the authentication type. The options in this box are not available for connections to Personal Express 5. See your Express Server documentation for complete information on these types.

None button -- Specifies no authentication.

Host (Server Login) button -- Specifies host authentication with a machine login. You should use host authentication when the client machine is not on the Microsoft network. Choose the Host (Server Login) button when the server machine is not in the domain (and/or if there is no domain account) and the user has a server machine account. Only the user ID and password are required for logging into the server machine.

Host (Domain Login) button -- Specifies host authentication with a domain login. You should use host authentication when the client machine is not on the Microsoft network. Choose the Host (Domain Login) button when the server machine is within the domain and the user has a domain account. The domain name, user ID, and password are required for logging into the server machine. This option is not available with Express Server 5.

Domain button -- Specifies domain authentication with a domain login. Domain authentication is the preferred way of authenticating clients for Windows NT Server and for Express Server 6. If you want to use domain authentication, the client and the server have to be on the Microsoft network. Also, the user has to have a domain account within the same domain that the server machine is on.

The domain name, user ID, and password are required for logging into the server machine. This option is not available with Express Server 5.

Security Level box -- Specifies the type of security. The options in this box are available only when the authentication type is Domain. See your Express Server documentation for complete information on these types.

Connect button -- Specifies that a user's identification is checked when connecting to Express Server. A user must have logged into the domain with a valid user name and password.

Call button -- Specifies that a user's identification is checked on every call to Express Server.

Packet button -- Specifies that a user's identification is checked on every packet sent to Express Server.

Integrity button -- Specifies that a calculated cryptographic checksum is attached to every packet so that any tampering with the packet can be detected. A user's identification and the checksum is checked on every packet sent to Express Server. If the checksum received does not match the checksum sent, the packet is discarded.

Privacy button -- Specifies that the packet is encrypted. This option also uses the security measures available with the Integrity option.

Relational Data box -- Contains options used for setting up a connection to access relational data.

Relational Access Manager Connection box -- Specifies a connection that uses Relational Access Manager to access data in a relational database management system (RDBMS).

Direct button -- Specifies a direct connection to Express.

XCA button -- Specifies an XCA connection from Personal Express 5. This option is not available for connections to Personal Express 6, Express Server 6, or Express Server 5.

Settings button -- Displays the Relational Access Manager Connections Settings dialog box. This button is available only when the Relational Access Manager Connection box is checked.


Relational Access Manager Connections Settings Dialog Box

See Also

Use the Relational Access Manager Connections Settings dialog box to specify information about a connection that allows access to data in a relational database using Relational Access Manager. See your database adminstration guide for more information on these settings.

Dialog Box Components

Personal Configuration box -- Specifies whether to create and attach a personal database with read/write access so that you can use many Oracle Sales Analyzer features such as custom measures. To select this box, you must have a account on the Express Server system. If you do not select this box, you log in as a guest. This option is available only with direct connections to Express Server 6. You cannot select this option if the Authentication type is None.

Prompt for Express User ID box -- Specifies whether to prompt for an Express user ID before making the connection. With Express Server 6, this box is available only if you have selected the Personal Configuration box.

Master Database box -- Specifies the name of the Relational Access Manager database to attach initially. You must specify only the database file name. You can get the database name in either of the following ways:

In the Express Relational Access Administrator, it is the Express Database Name displayed in the Database tab.

In the .RDC file, it is specified as the DBName in the [DBInfo] section.

If the file is not in the current directory, the paths specified in the following settings are searched:

PCXPATH option (for Personal Express 5)

EXPRESS_DATABASE environment variable (for Express Server 5)

For Express Server 6, this database must reside in a directory that is included in the path list in ServerDBPath. You can check the ServerDBPath in the File I/O tab of the Express Configuration Manager dialog box.

ODBC Source box -- For connections to Personal Express 5 only. Specifies the name of a 32-bit ODBC source.

SQL Server Name box -- For connections to Express Server 5 only. Specifies an instance of an RDBMS.

RDBMS Type box -- For connections to Express Server 5 only. Specifies the type of the relational database.

RDC File box -- For connections to Express Server 6 only. Specifies the complete file name (including the full path) of the remote database configuration file on the server. This file specifies information such as the location of code and data databases. Using UNC (Universal Naming Convention) syntax allows multiple users to use the same connection to access the data without having to map the same drive letter to that location. UNC syntax is \\ServerName\ShareName\ followed by any subdirectories and/or files.

XCA Parameters box -- Specifies information about the XCA connection. These options are available only with an XCA connection, and they are enabled when Personal Express 5 is specified as the Express Version. See your database administration guide for complete information on XCA connections.

Read/Write box -- Specifies whether the local database should be attached as read/write or read-only. You must specify read/write access in order for the local database to be generated. The default is read-only.

Server Name box -- Specifies the name of the server for the XCA connection.

Server Script box -- Specifies the name of the script to be run on the server after an XCA connection is initiated.

Port Number box -- Specifies the Internet port number used by the Unix daemon that will handle the XCA connection. The default is 6543. This setting is optional.


Paths for Connection (.XCF) Files Dialog Box

See Also

Use the Paths for Connection (.XCF) Files dialog box to specify the list of paths that contain connection files.

Dialog Box Component

Set Connection File Paths box -- Specifies the list of paths that contain connection files. Separate each path name with a semicolon. It is a good idea to have at least one local path and one LAN path specified.


Location for Connection (.XCF) File Dialog Box

See Also

Use the Location for Connection (.XCF) File dialog box to specify the path to contain a newly created connection file. You can choose from the list of paths specified in the Paths for Connection (.XCF) Files dialog box.

Dialog Box Component

Select Connection File Path box -- Specifies the name of the path to contain the connection file.


See Also -- Express Connection Editor Dialog Box

Defining Connections

Editing Existing Connections

Setting the Path for Connection Files


See Also -- Connection Settings Dialog Box

Defining Connections

Editing Existing Connections

Setting the Path for Connection Files


See Also -- Relational Access Manager Connections Settings Dialog Box

Defining Connections

Editing Existing Connections


See Also -- Paths for Connection (.XCF) Files Dialog Box

Defining Connections

Setting the Path for Connection Files


See Also -- Location for Connection (.XCF) File Dialog Box

Defining Connections

Setting the Path for Connection Files