For Interactive Reporting users, the process of creating a new document and connecting to a database is simple. You select an Interactive Reporting database connection file (.oce) for the database server and enter your database password. You can select either a new or an existing Interactive Reporting database connection file.
The way you choose an Interactive Reporting database connection file depends on the data model, document, or edition:
When a data model is available for the Query, Interactive Reporting automatically prompts you for connection information. You connect to a database when you download a data model and process a query to retrieve a data set. In addition, you must be connected to show values for a server filter, to use server functions to create a computed item, or to schedule a document.
When you open Interactive Reporting to begin a work session (for example, by downloading a data model from an Oracle Hyperion Reporting and Analysis repository, or creating a new data model), you must select the correct connection for the targeted database.
Interactive Reporting database connections retain all the information necessary to log onto a specific configuration of database and connection API software. They also retain DBMS-specific connection preferences and specifications for automatic access to metadata. This simplifies the connection process for company personnel by transparently handling host and configuration information. Each user can substitute a database user name when using the Interactive Reporting database connection, which enforces security measures and privileges that are centralized at the database server.
Interactive Reporting database connections have significant advantages in network environments with many database users. One connection can be created for each Interactive Reporting database connection file in the environment and shared with each end-user. Because passwords are not saved with the Interactive Reporting database connection, distribution does not provide unauthorized access to any user who receives the wrong Interactive Reporting database connection file or acquires it from other sources.