2 Connections for Data Mining

Oracle Data Mining takes place in an Oracle Database. All data mining objects including input tables and models reside in a database.

This chapter contains the following topics:

  • About the Data Miner Tab
    The Data Miner tab in SQL Developer allows you to establish connection to a database, and create projects and workflows.
  • Creating a Connection
    You must create a SQL Developer connection to an Oracle Database for the Data Miner user.

About the Data Miner Tab

The Data Miner tab in SQL Developer allows you to establish connection to a database, and create projects and workflows.

The Data Miner tab lists the following:

  • Connections

    Note:

    Connections are listed both in the Connections tab and in the Data Miner tab.

  • Projects

  • Workflows

Prerequisites for Data Mining

Lists the mandatory steps that you must follow before you start data mining.

Ensure the following:

  • Specify a connection to an account in an Oracle Database 11g Release 2 (11.2.0.4) and later. The account that you connect to must have all grants required by Oracle Data Mining.

  • Define at least one connection to indicate the account where workflow nodes run.

Viewing the Data Miner Tab

Sometimes the Data Miner tab may not be visible in the SQL Developer window. You have the options to make the Data Miner tab visible.

If the Data Miner tab is not visible in the Oracle SQL Developer window, then:

  • Go to Tools and click Data Miner. Then, select Make Visible.

  • Go to View and click Data Miner. Then, select Data Miner Connections.

This docks the Data Miner tab in the Oracle SQL Developer window.

Creating a Connection

You must create a SQL Developer connection to an Oracle Database for the Data Miner user.

You can create connections to an Oracle Database in the Connections tab and in the Data Miner tab.

Creating Connections from the Connections Tab

You must create a SQL Developer connection to an Oracle Database for the Data Miner user. You can create this connection from the Connections tab in SQL Developer.

To create connections from the Connections tab:

  1. In Oracle SQL Developer, go to View and click Connections. This docks the Connections pane in the Oracle SQL Developer window.
  2. In the Connections pane, right-click Connections and click New Connections. Alternately, you can click add to add a new connection.
  3. In the New/Select Database Connection dialog box, enter the following for the new connection:
    • Connection Name: The name of the connection.
    • Password: The Data Miner user password.
    • Save Password: Select this option to save your password.
  4. In the Oracle tab, provide the following details about the Oracle Database:
    • Connection Type
    • Role
    • Hostname
    • Port
    • SID: This is the Oracle Service Identifier (SID), a name by which the Oracle Database instance is uniquely identified from other database instance.
    • Service Name: Select this option if you are connecting to a database that is installed in a cluster such as Oracle Real Application Clusters.
  5. Select one or all of the following options:
    • OS Authentication
    • Kerberos Authentication
    • Proxy Connection
  6. To connect to the database, click Connect.
  7. To save the connection, click Save.
  8. To test the connection, click Test.

Creating Connections from the Data Miner Tab

You must create a SQL Developer connection to an Oracle Database for the Data Miner user. You can create this connection from the Data Miner tab.

To create connections from the Data Miner tab:

  1. In the Data Miner tab, right-click Connections. The Select Connection dialog appears.
    If the Data Miner tab is not visible, then go Tools and click Data Miner. Then, select Make Visible.
  2. To create a new connection, click add. The New/Select Database Connection is displayed.
  3. In the New/Select Database Connection dialog box, enter the following for the new connection:
    • Connection Name: The name of the connection.
    • Password: The Data Miner user password.
    • Save Password: Select this option to save your password.
  4. In the Oracle tab, provide the following details about the Oracle Database:
    • Connection Type
    • Role
    • Hostname
    • Port
    • SID: This is the Oracle Service Identifier (SID), a name by which the Oracle Database instance is uniquely identified from other database instance.
    • Service Name: Select this option if you are connecting to a database that is installed in a cluster such as Oracle Real Application Clusters.
  5. Select one or all of the following options:
    • OS Authentication
    • Kerberos Authentication
    • Proxy Connection
  6. To connect to the database, click Connect.
  7. To save the connection, click Save.
  8. To test the connection, click Test.

Related Topics

Managing a Connection

After you create a connection, you can manage it from the Data Miner Connections context menu.

You can perform the following tasks by right-clicking the connection name in the Data Miner tab, and click:

  • Disconnect: To disconnect the connection from the database.

    Note:

    The connection still exists. You can reconnect by double-clicking the connection, and entering the password.

  • Add Connection: To create a new connection.

  • New Project:To create a new project.

  • Remove:To remove a connection.

  • Properties: To open the New/Select Database Connection dialog box. You can view and edit connection properties here.

Related Topics

Viewing and Editing Connection Properties

To view connection properties:

  1. In the Data Miner tab, right-click the connection name and select Properties.
  2. In the New/Select Database Connection dialog box, you can view the connection properties and edit them, as required.
  3. Click OK.

Removing a Connection

To remove a connection:

  1. In the Data Miner tab, right-click the connection name and select Remove. This removes the connections from the Data Miner tab.

    Note:

    Removing the connection from the Data Miner tab does not remove the connection permanently. To permanently remove the connection, delete it from Connections tab.

  2. Go to the Connections tab and right-click the connection.
  3. Click Delete. This permanently removes the connection.

    Note:

    When you delete a connection, the projects and workflows accessible through the connection are not deleted.

Connecting to a Database

For data mining and data analysis, you must establish a connection to a database.

To connect to Oracle Database:

  1. In the Data Miner tab, right-click the connection that you want to connect and click Add Connections. If the Data Miner tab is not visible, then dock it in the Oracle SQL Developer window.
  2. In the Select Connections dialog box, select the connection from the Connections drop-down list. If you are disconnected from the connection, then you may have to provide a password.
  3. Click OK.

Related Topics

Provide Password

If you do not select the Save Password option when defining the connection, then you must provide the password when you connect.

After you log in, Oracle Data Miner monitors the connection. You can now perform data mining operations.