Supplying Connection Parameters Manually

Connect to a database using the Identification, Database, Network, and Advanced Options tabs on the Connect window.

  1. From the Authentication list, specify either Database or Windows Integrated Login authentication.
  2. Select an Action.
    Connect with an ODBC Data Source
    Field/Button/Option Details
    ODBC data source name Selects a data source, which is a stored set of connection parameters, for connecting to your database. This field is equivalent to the DSN connection parameter, which references a data source in the registry.
    ODBC data source file Selects a data source file for the connection.
    Connect to a Running Database on this Computer
    Field/Button/Option Details
    Server name The name of the database server you are connecting to. For remote servers, specify the server as host name:port number.
    Database name The name of the database you are connecting to. You need a database name only if there is more than one database running on the database server. If the database is not already running on the server, you should specify the database file instead. You can also select a recently used database, or click Browse to locate the database file.
    Note: If you specify both the database name and database file when trying to connect to a database that is already running, the database file is ignored.
    Connect to a Running Database on Another Computer
    Field/Button/Option Details
    Host The computer name on which the database server is running.
    Port The port the database server is using.
    Server name The name of the database server you are connecting to. For remote servers, specify the server as host name:port number.
    Find Looks for servers.
    Start and Connect to a Database on this Computer
    Field/Button/Option Details
    Database file Type the full path and name of the database file. Otherwise, the path of the file is relative to the working directory of the database server.
    Encryption key If the database file is encrypted, you must supply an encryption key to the database server every time the database server starts the database.
    Database name The name of the database you are connecting to. You need a database name only if there is more than one database running on the database server. If the database is not already running on the server, you should specify the database file instead. You can also select a recently used database, or click Browse to locate the database file.
    Note: If you specify both the database name and database file when trying to connect to a database that is already running, the database file is ignored.
    Server name The name of the database server you are connecting to. For remote servers, specify the server as host name:port number.
    Start line Enter a start line to connect to a local database server and to set your own start parameters. You must enter the full path of the database server.
    Stop database after last disconnect Automatically shut down the database after the last user disconnects.
    Start and Connect to a Database on Another Computer
    Field/Button/Option Details
    Database file Type the full path and name of the database file. Otherwise, the path of the file is relative to the working directory of the database server.
    Encryption key If the database file is encrypted, you must supply an encryption key to the database server every time the database server starts the database.
    Database name The name of the database you are connecting to. You need a database name only if there is more than one database running on the database server. If the database is not already running on the server, you should specify the database file instead. You can also select a recently used database, or click Browse to locate the database file.
    Note: If you specify both the database name and database file when trying to connect to a database that is already running, the database file is ignored.
    Server name The name of the database server you are connecting to. For remote servers, specify the server as host name:port number.
    Host The computer name on which the database server is running.
    Port The port the database server is using.
    Stop database after last disconnect Automatically shut down the database after the last user disconnects.
    Connect with a Connection String
    Field/Button/Option Details
    Parameters Connection string.
  3. Click Connect.