4 Starting Discoverer

This chapter explains how to start Discoverer, and contains the following topics:

• "What is a Discoverer connection?"

• "About starting Discoverer"

• "How to display the Discoverer Plus connections page"

• "How to start Discoverer using an existing connection"

• "How to start Discoverer by connecting directly"

• "How to exit Discoverer Plus"

• "Frequently asked questions"

4.1 What is a Discoverer connection?

A Discoverer connection stores login details that enable you to connect to Discoverer. Each connection stores the following information:

• database user name

• database password (not required for Oracle Applications SSO users)

• database name

• (optional) Oracle Applications responsibility

• language

• EUL

Discoverer login details are saved automatically when you create a connection. From then on, you can start Discoverer simply by clicking on a connection name in the Discoverer connections list that is displayed when you run Discoverer.

Notes

• You can also start Discoverer without creating a connection, by connecting directly (for more information, see "How to start Discoverer by connecting directly").

• For more information about saving login information in a private connection, see "How do I create and save login information in a Discoverer connection?".

• If you require login details to enable you to create your own Discoverer connections, contact the Discoverer manager.

4.2 About starting Discoverer

The table below show the different ways in which you can start Discoverer.

To start Discoverer:	Use this method when:
use an existing pre-defined connection (known as a public connection) created by the Discoverer manager Note: Public connections are not available when you start Discoverer Plus OLAP. To start Discoverer Plus OLAP, use a private connection (for more information, see "How do I create and save login information in a Discoverer connection?"), or connect directly (for more information, see "How to start Discoverer by connecting directly").	the Discoverer manager has created login details for you so that you do not have to supply login details yourself (for more information, see "How to start Discoverer using an existing connection")
use an existing user-defined connection (known as a private connection) that you created yourself	you want to connect to Discoverer using login details that you saved previously (for more information, see "How to start Discoverer using an existing connection") For information about creating a private connection, see "How to start Discoverer using an existing connection"
create a user-defined connection (known as a private connection)	you want to connect to Discoverer using a new login (for more information, see "How do I create and save login information in a Discoverer connection?")
connect directly by entering login details (which are not saved in a connection)	you want to connect to Discoverer but you do not want to save the login details for later use (for more information, see "How to start Discoverer by connecting directly")

Depending on the internet browser you are using and how your company's network server is configured:

• You might need to follow a one-time-only set up process when you start Discoverer for the first time. This process initializes the Discoverer program on your system. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

• You might see a dialog about security. This security dialog appears when Discoverer requests extra permissions to access the Discoverer server or local devices (for example, printers). If you do not want to see the dialog every time you connect, select the option “Always trust content from Oracle Corporation.” Click Yes (or OK or Grant depending on browser) to continue starting Discoverer.

4.3 How to display the Discoverer Plus connections page

You display the Discoverer Plus connections page to select a connection (that is, a stored set of database login details) to start Discoverer Plus or to connect to Discoverer Plus directly. You can also use the Discoverer Plus connections page to edit and delete Discoverer connections.

To start Discoverer using an existing connection:

1. Launch a Web browser.

2. Go to the Discoverer web address given to you by the Discoverer manager.

   Hint: The Discoverer web address might be:

   • the default web page that you access when you start a browser

   • an internet address (URL) that you enter in the address field in a browser (for example, a typical URL might be http://machinename.myorganization.com:7777/discoverer/plus)

   • a link from a portal or other internet or intranet site that you are using

   The Connect to Oracle BI Discoverer page is displayed.

   
   

   A list of the existing Discoverer connections is displayed in the Connection column.

Notes

• For information on how to create and save a private Discoverer connection, see "How do I create and save login information in a Discoverer connection?".

4.4 How to start Discoverer using an existing connection

When you start Discoverer using an existing connection, you can use any of the following:

• An existing public connection created by the Discoverer manager (available for Discoverer Plus Relational only)

• An existing private connection that you created earlier

To start Discoverer using an existing connection:

1. Display the Discoverer Plus connections page (for more information, see "How to display the Discoverer Plus connections page").

2. Select the name of a connection name in the Connection column to start Discoverer.

   Hint: To confirm that you are using the correct login, click Show in the Details column to display more information about a login. To hide additional information, click Hide.

   You can now begin to analyze data using Discoverer's powerful analysis tools.

Notes

• For information about how to create and save a private Discoverer connection, see "How do I create and save login information in a Discoverer connection?".

• You can use only private connections with Discoverer Plus OLAP. Public connections are not supported. However, you can use public connections with Discoverer Viewer and Discoverer portals to access worksheets that you have created with Discoverer Plus OLAP.

• If you have used Oracle's Single Sign-On functionality to establish a database connection, you are not prompted for password information when you start Discoverer Plus.

4.5 How to start Discoverer by connecting directly

You start Discoverer by connecting directly when you want to connect to Discoverer but you do not want to save the login details for use later.

To start Discoverer by connecting directly:

1. Display the Discoverer Plus connections page (for more information, see "How to display the Discoverer Plus connections page").

2. Select the Connect Directly link to display the Connect Directly area.

3. Enter login details using the fields provided (for example, User Name, Password, Database).

   Passwords are case-sensitive in Oracle databases (Enterprise Edition release 11.1 or later).

4. Click Go to start Discoverer.

   You can now begin to analyze data using Discoverer's powerful analysis tools.

4.6 How to exit Discoverer Plus

When you have finished using Discoverer Plus to analyze data, exit the application.

To exit Discoverer Plus:

1. Choose File | Exit.

   If there are unsaved changes in one or more currently opened workbooks, a dialog prompts you to save or discard the changes.

   • Click Yes to save changes before closing Discoverer. Discoverer saves all changes that you have made since you last saved the workbook.

   • Click No to close Discoverer without saving changes. Discoverer saves none of the changes that you have made since you last saved the workbook.

Notes

• If you started Discoverer from an internet start page, the browser application is not closed.

• If you shut down the web browser that you used to start Discoverer during a Discoverer session, Discoverer also exits.

4.7 Frequently asked questions

This section answers frequently asked questions about starting Discoverer, and contains the following topics:

• "What is the End User Layer (EUL)?"

• "What are database accounts?"

• "How do I create and save login information in a Discoverer connection?"

• "How do I edit a Discoverer connection?"

• "How do I delete a Discoverer connection?"

• "What are public connections?"

• "What are user-defined connections?"

• "When and why should I change my password?"

• "How do I change the password for a connection?"

• "How do I change the End User Layer for a Discoverer connection?"

• "What is Single Sign-on?"

• "What is the difference between Single Sign-on and Discoverer passwords?"

4.7.1 What is the End User Layer (EUL)?

The EUL is an intuitive, business-focused view of the database that uses terms that you are familiar with and can easily understand. The EUL insulates you from the complexity usually associated with databases. The EUL enables you to focus on business issues instead of data access issues.

4.7.2 What are database accounts?

To use Discoverer, you need a database account that enables you to connect to Discoverer. You store database account details in a Discoverer connection along with EUL and language settings.

Note: If your organization uses Single Sign-on (a system for enabling users to log in once to access many different applications), you also need a Single Sign-on account. If you are not sure whether your organization uses Single Sign-on, contact the Discoverer manager. For more information, see "What is Single Sign-on?".

A database account comprises two pieces of information:

• A user name - a short name by which you are identified in the database. For example, jchan, or marketing.

• A password - a secret key that you use to authenticate your user name. An initial temporary password is created for you by the Discoverer manager. To keep your organization's data secure, do not tell another person what your password is, or write down your password so that other people can read it (for more information, see "When and why should I change my password?").

4.7.3 How do I create and save login information in a Discoverer connection?

You create and save login information in a new private Discoverer connection when you want to start Discoverer using login details that you have not saved previously.

To create and save login information in a Discoverer connection:

1. Display the Discoverer connections page (for more information, see "How to display the Discoverer Plus connections page").

2. Click Create Connection to display the Create Connection: Connection Details page.

   
   Description of the illustration cm_1.gif
   
   

3. Choose the type of data you want to analyze:

   • to analyze relational data using Discoverer Plus Relational, select Oracle BI Discoverer from the Connect to drop down list

   • to analyze multidimensional data using Discoverer Plus OLAP, select Oracle BI Discoverer for OLAP from the Connect to drop down list

   • to analyze Oracle Applications data, select Oracle Applications from the Connect to drop down list

4. Enter a connection name by which you want to identify the new connection in the Connection Name field.

   The connection name is displayed in the Connections column on the Connect to Oracle BI Discoverer page.

5. (optional) Enter a description of the connection in the Connection Description field.

   For example, you might want to add the names of the workbooks that the connection is used to access.

6. Select the language you want to use from the Locale drop down list.

7. Specify the user name, password, and database details for the connection you want to create.

   Hint: If you are not sure what user name, password, and database details to enter, contact the Discoverer manager.

8. Save the details by doing one of the following:

   • Click Apply to save the details you have specified and return to the Connections list.

   • Click Apply and Connect to save the details you have specified and start Discoverer using the login details specified.

9. If you selected Oracle Applications in the Connect To drop down list and the user has multiple Oracle Applications Responsibilities, the Select Oracle Applications Responsibility page is displayed. Do the following:

   1. Select a responsibility from the Oracle Applications drop down list.

   2. Click Apply to save the details that you specified.

10. (relational data only) If the user name has access to multiple End User Layers, the Create Connection: End User Layer page is displayed. Do the following:

    1. Select an End User Layer from the End User Layer drop down list.

    2. Click Apply to save the details that you specified.

If you clicked Apply, the Connect to Oracle BI Discoverer page is displayed. The new connection that you have created is included in the list of connections. To start Discoverer using the connection that you have created, click the new connection name in the Connection list.

If you clicked Apply and Connect, Discoverer starts and prompts you to select a workbook and worksheet to open.

4.7.4 How do I edit a Discoverer connection?

You edit a Discoverer connection when you want to change the login details stored in that connection. For example, you might want to change the user name that you use to start Discoverer.

To edit a Discoverer connection:

1. Display the Discoverer Plus connections page (for more information, see "How to display the Discoverer Plus connections page").

2. Click the pencil icon in the Update column next to the name of the connection you want to edit.

   Hint: To confirm that you are using the correct connection, click Show in the Details column to display more information about a connection. To hide additional information, click Hide.

   The Edit Connection page is displayed.

3. Change the connection details as required.

4. Save the details by doing one of the following:

   • Click Apply to save the details you have entered and return to the Connections list.

   • Click Apply and Connect to save the details you have entered and start Discoverer using the login details specified.

5. If the user name has access to multiple End User Layers, the Create Connection: End User Layer page is displayed. Do the following:

   1. Select an End User Layer from the End User Layer drop down list.

   2. Click Apply to save the details that you specified.

If you clicked Apply, the Connect to Oracle BI Discoverer page is displayed. The new connection that you have created is included in the list of connections. To start Discoverer using the connection that you have created, click the new connection name in the Connection list.

If you clicked Apply and Connect, Discoverer starts and prompts you to select a workbook and worksheet to open.

Notes

• You can only edit private connections that you have created yourself. You cannot edit public connections created by the Discoverer manager.

4.7.5 How do I delete a Discoverer connection?

You delete a Discoverer connection when you want to remove login details permanently. For example, you might want to delete a temporary connection that you no longer need.

To delete a Discoverer connection:

1. Display the Discoverer Plus connections page (for more information, see "How to display the Discoverer Plus connections page").

2. Click the trash can icon in the Delete column next to the name of the connection you want to delete to display the Confirmation dialog.

   Hint: To confirm that you are deleting the correct connection, click Show in the Details column to display more information about a connection. To hide additional information, click Hide.

3. Click Yes at the confirmation page to delete the connection and return to the Connect to Oracle BI Discoverer page.

Notes

• You can only delete private connections that you have created yourself. You cannot delete public connections created by the Discoverer manager.

4.7.6 What are public connections?

Public connections are Discoverer logins created by the Discoverer manager. Public connections enable you to start Discoverer and access workbooks without having to create your own connections.

You cannot edit or delete public connections. Only the Discoverer manager can create, edit, and delete public connections.

4.7.7 What are user-defined connections?

User-defined connections (also known as private connections) are Discoverer logins that you create yourself. You can edit and delete private connections. Only you can access, edit, and delete the private connections that you create.

4.7.8 When and why should I change my password?

You must change your password periodically to maintain data security.

Your system manager specifies how long you can keep the same password before it expires. In other words, how long you can keep the password before you have to change it.

You know your password has expired if you start Discoverer and are prompted to enter a new password. When you connect to Discoverer, you might be warned that your password will expire in a specified number of days. If you do not change the password in this period, you are prompted to enter a new password when the password expires.

It is also important to change your password if you think that someone else has found out what the password is.

4.7.9 How do I change the password for a connection?

You change the password for a connection when the password:

• has expired

• is about to expire

• has become known by another user

To change the password for a connection:

1. Display the Discoverer Plus connections page (for more information, see "How to display the Discoverer Plus connections page").

2. Click the Update icon next to the connection for which you want to change the password.

3. Click Change Database Password.

4. In the Password field, enter the current database password for the current user name.

5. In the New Password field, enter a new database password for the current user name.

   Passwords are case-sensitive in Oracle databases (Enterprise Edition release 11.1 or later).

6. In the Verify Password field, re-enter the new database password for the current user name.

7. Click Finish.

   The Connect to Oracle BI Discoverer page is displayed. You can now use the connection to start Discoverer.

Notes

• If any of the password details that you entered were invalid, an error message is displayed with advice on which value to change.

4.7.10 How do I change the End User Layer for a Discoverer connection?

You change the End User Layer (EUL) for a Discoverer connection when you want the connection to start Discoverer using a different EUL (for more information, see "What is the End User Layer (EUL)?").

To change the EUL for a Discoverer connection:

1. Display the Discoverer Plus connections page (for more information, see "How to display the Discoverer Plus connections page").

2. Click the Update icon next to the connection for which you want to change the End User Layer.

3. In the Password field, enter a valid password for the Discoverer connection.

   Passwords are case-sensitive in Oracle databases (Enterprise Edition release 11.1 or later).

4. Click Continue.

5. If the user name for the current Discoverer connection has access to multiple End User Layers, the Select End User Layer for Discoverer Connection page is displayed. Do the following:

   1. Select an End User Layer from the End User Layer drop down list.

   2. Click Finish.

   The Connect to Oracle BI Discoverer page is displayed. You can now use the connection to start Discoverer.

Notes

• If the user name does not have access to multiple End User Layers, you cannot change the default End User Layer.

• If the password that you entered was invalid, an error message is displayed with advice on which value to change.

4.7.11 What is Single Sign-on?

Oracle Single Sign-On enables users to access multiple Oracle applications (for example, Oracle BI Discoverer) with a single password. Using Single Sign-On, users can log in to Oracle WebLogic Server and gain access to all applications for which they are authorized, without requiring them to re-enter a user name and password for each application.

4.7.12 What is the difference between Single Sign-on and Discoverer passwords?

If your organization uses Single Sign-on, your Discoverer password is separate to your Single Sign-on password:

• your Single Sign-on password authenticates your Single Sign-on user name

• your database password authenticates your database user name

• with a single Sign-on connection, you can connect using many different Discoverer connections

4.7.13 How do I know what Single Sign-on ID is being used in Discoverer Plus?

To find out the Single Sign-on ID being used in Discoverer Plus, choose Help | About Discoverer to display the About Oracle BI Discoverer dialog, and look in the Connected As area.