Beginner connect to MS-SQL

Peter John Horwood

<p>Are there instructions somewhere for 'how to' set up a new data source?</p>
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<p>I'm trying to use the Report Designer, I'm assuming to connect to my MS-SQL databases I need a 'new data source'.</p>
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<p>But I have no idea what to fill in for Driver Class, Database URL (I use a named server), or JNDI URL: and I was hoping there is a page/set of instructions for how to do this.</p>
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<p>I have downloaded MS's JDBC driver ... but not sure what to do next to get started.</p>
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<p>I'm trying to evaluate BIRT to see if we want to go with this engine - it looks interesting, but I can't get past this first step!</p>
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<p>Thanks.</p>

Clement Wong

<p>Welcome to the world of BIRT.  Are you using Open Source (OS) or commercial BIRT?  The later comes with a Microsoft SQL Server Driver.</p>
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<p>For OS BIRT, yes, you need to first download a MS SQL JDBC Driver, either the Microsoft or <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://jtds.sourceforge.net/'>jTDS </a>JDBC driver will work.</p>
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<p>Next, (close the Designer if it's open), navigate to your file folder where you've installed BIRT.  Under ...\eclipse\plugins\org.eclipse.birt.report.data.oda.jdbc_4.5.0.v201506092134\drivers (the version and build here is from BIRT 4.5.0).</p>
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<p>Move the JDBC driver .jar file into the folder.</p>
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<p>Restart your Designer.</p>
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<p>Yes, choose "New Data Source" and then select "JDBC Data Source".  In the drop down for Driver Class, select the JDBC driver you installed.</p>
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<p>Now for the JDBC URL syntax:</p>
<p>  Microsoft JDBC URL syntax @ <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms378428(v=sql.110).aspx'&gt;https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms378428(v=sql.110).aspx&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
<p>  jTDS JDBC URL syntax @ <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://jtds.sourceforge.net/faq.html#urlFormat'>http://jtds.sourceforge.net/faq.html#urlFormat</a></p&gt;
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<p>If you encounter an TCP/IP connection error attempting to connecting, it is most likely a configuration issue where SQL Server is listening on a dynamic port.  This common issue is easily resolve and there a few pages with solutions.  There's one @ <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://stackoverflow.com/questions/18841744/jdbc-connection-failed-error-tcp-ip-connection-to-host-failed'>http://stackoverflow.com/questions/18841744/jdbc-connection-failed-error-tcp-ip-connection-to-host-failed</a>. </p>