Preparing to use the Informix database

Before you define the database interface and connect to an Informix database in DataWindow Designer, follow these steps to prepare the database for use:

  1. Install and configure the required database server, network, and client software.

  2. Install the native Informix IN9 database interface.

  3. Verify that you can connect to the Informix server and database outside DataWindow Designer.

Step 1: Install and configure the database server

You must install and configure the required database server, network, and client software for Informix.

StepsTo install and configure the required database server, network, and client software:

  1. Make sure the Informix database server software and database network software is installed and running on the server specified in your database profile.

    You must obtain the database server and database network software from Informix.

    For installation instructions, see your Informix documentation.

  2. Install the required Informix client software on each client computer on which DataWindow Designer is installed.

    Install Informix Connect or the Informix Client SDK (which includes Informix Connect) and run the SetNet32 utility to configure the client registry settings.

    You must obtain the Informix client software from IBM. Make sure the version of the client software you install supports all of the following:

    For installation instructions, see your Informix documentation.

  3. Make sure the Informix client software is properly configured so that you can connect to the Informix database server at your site.

    For example, when you install Informix-Connect client software, it automatically creates the correct configuration file on your computer.

    The configuration file contains default parameters that define your network configuration, network protocol, and environment variables. If you omit these values from the database profile when you define the native Informix database interface, they default to the values specified in your configuration file.

    For instructions on setting up the Informix configuration file, see your Informix documentation.

  4. If required by your operating system, make sure the directory containing the Informix client software is in your system path.

Step 2: Install the database interface

In the DataWindow Designer Setup program, select the Typical install, or select the native Informix database interface in the Custom install.

Step 3: Verify the connection

Make sure you can connect to the Informix server and database you want to access from outside DataWindow Designer.

To verify the connection, use any Windows-based utility (such as the Informix ILOGIN.EXE program) that connects to the database. When connecting, be sure to specify the same parameters you plan to use in your DataWindow Designer database profile to access the database.

For instructions on using ILOGIN.EXE, see your Informix documentation.