In Windows, how do I set up an ODBC source to access my database on the IU Research Database Complex?
The Research Database Complex (RDC) is dedicated to research-related databases and data-intensive applications that require a database. Oracle and MySQL databases are supported, and the default database size is 15MB. The RDC also provides an environment for database-driven web applications with a research focus. This system,rdcweb.uits.iu.edu, runs Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5. User
home directories reside on the IBM N5500 NAS storage device, with disk
quotas of 10GB per user. This quota is shared by your Big Red and
Quarry accounts, if you have accounts on those systems.
Programs that use Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) to connect to remote databases need a way to identify the type of database and the computer to which they are connecting. This is accomplished through an ODBC data source, which associates a name with database connection information. With Oracle, the database connection information is the same as the name of the Oracle Net service you configured when you set up the Oracle Client.
To configure and locate an ODBC data source:
- From the
Startmenu, clickSettings, and thenControl Panel.
- In Windows XP, select
Administrative Tools, and thenData Sources (ODBC). In Windows 98, NT, and 2000, selectODBC Data Sources,ODBC, orODBC Data Sources (32-bit).
- At the top of the
ODBC Data Source Administratorwindow, select theSystem DSNtab, and then clickAdd....
- From the list, select
Oracle in OraClient10g_home1, and then clickFinish.
- Enter your information in the window that appears, and then click
OK.The following example creates an Oracle ODBC data source for the
iugpdatabase oniu.edu:Field Explanation Example Data source name User-specified name by which you will refer to this ODBC data source iugp_oraDescription Not required; just a phrase reminding you why you created this ODBC data source Oracle ODBC for iugp database on the RDCTNS Service name The Oracle Net Service Name you created for the database to which you want to connect iugp.iu.eduUser name Usually left blank; you will be prompted for this later when you make an ODBC connection to the database - The ODBC data source you added will now appear in your System DSN
list. Click
OKto finish your ODBC configuration.
If you need assistance, email the UITS High Performance Systems group.
Last modified on May 13, 2009.







