Windows: Create Region and Cross-Region Data Sources for Db2

Note: We recommend that you use a connection string to connect to Db2 databases; that is, using the connect attribute within the database configuration file, which is covered in a later step (Update the Configuration File for DB2 Region and Cross-Region Databases).

Use the following steps if you do not intend to use connection strings, but instead create ODBC data sources to access region and cross-region databases.

  1. Open the ODBC Data Source Administrator.
    Tip: On most newer Windows versions, click the Start Menu button, type ODBC, and then select the appropriate desktop app.
  2. On the ODBC Data Source Administrator dialog box, select the System DSN tab.
  3. Add a new data source for a region database:
    1. Click Add.
    2. Select the appropriate ODBC driver for your database (for example, IBM DB2 ODBC Driver is a common one for Db2), and click Finish.

      The ODBC IBM DB2 Driver - Add wizard appears.

    3. Enter a name and description for the data source.
      Note: This is the name of the enterprise server region, and must be 8 characters or less.
    4. Click OK.

      The ODBC Data Source Administrator appears again.

  4. Add a new data source for a cross-region database:
    1. Click Add.
    2. Select the appropriate ODBC driver for your database (for example, IBM DB2 ODBC Driver is a common one for Db2), and click Finish.

      The Create New Data Source... wizard appears.

    3. Enter $XREGN$ as the name of the cross-region database and enter a description.
    4. Click OK.

      The ODBC Data Source Administrator appears again.

  5. Click OK.

    The data sources for a region and a cross-region database are configured. You now need to update the database configuration file to use the data sources: see Update the Configuration File for Db2 Region and Cross-Region Databases.

Parent topic: Configure Region and Cross-Region Databases in Db2
Next topic: UNIX: Create Region and Cross-Region Data Sources for Db2