Creating a Data Source Name

Typically, after installing the Simba DynamoDB ODBC Connector, you need to create a Data Source Name (DSN).

Alternatively, for information about DSN-less connections, see Using a Connection String.

To create a Data Source Name:

  1. From the Start menu, go to ODBC Data Sources.

    2. Note:

    Make sure to select the ODBC Data Source Administrator that has the same bitness as the client application that you are using to connect to DynamoDB.

  2. In the ODBC Data Source Administrator, click the Drivers tab, and then scroll down as needed to confirm that the Simba DynamoDB ODBC Connector appears in the alphabetical list of ODBC drivers that are installed on your system.
  3. Choose one:
    • To create a DSN that only the user currently logged into Windows can use, click the User DSN tab.
    • Or, to create a DSN that all users who log into Windows can use, click the System DSN tab.

    Note:

    It is recommended that you create a System DSN instead of a User DSN. Some applications load the data using a different user account, and might not be able to detect User DSNs that are created under another user account.

  4. Click Add.
  5. In the Create New Data Source dialog box, select Simba DynamoDB ODBC Connector and then click Finish. The Simba DynamoDB ODBC Connector DSN Setup dialog box opens.
  6. In the Data Source Name field, type a name for your DSN.
  7. Optionally, in the Description field, type relevant details about the DSN.
  1. Depending on whether you are connecting to AWS or a local server, choose one:
    • If you are connecting to the DynamoDB service on AWS, then do the following:
      1. In the Endpoint field, type or select the endpoint for the DynamoDB service.

        2. Note:

        After you specify the endpoint, the Region field in the Authentication area is automatically set to an appropriate value.

      2. Make sure that the DynamoDB Local check box is cleared, and then configure the options in the Authentication area. For more information, see Configuring Authentication.
    • Or, if you are connecting to a server on DynamoDB Local, then do the following:
      1. In the Endpoint field, type the IP address of the server.
      2. Select the DynamoDB Local check box.
      3. In the Port field, type the number of the TCP port that the server uses to listen for client connections.

        4. Note:

        The default port number used by DynamoDB Local is 8000.

      4. Specify the database file that you want to connect to by typing the appropriate values in the Region field and the Access Key field, and then type an arbitrary value in the Secret Key field.

        5. Note:

        For information about how the Region, Access Key, and Secret Key values are used in connections to DynamoDB Local, see "DynamoDB Local for Desktop Development" in the AWS Official Blog: https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/aws/dynamodb-local-for-desktop-development.

  2. To configure advanced connector options, click Advanced Options. For more information, see Configuring Advanced Options.
  3. To launch the Schema Editor application and create or customize the schema definition that the connector uses when connecting to the database, click Schema Editor.

    4. Note:

    For information about how to use the Schema Editor, see the Schema Editor User Guide for ODBC Connections, located in the installation directory of the connector.

    • On Windows 7 or earlier, the guide is available from the Simba DynamoDB ODBC Driver program group in the Start menu.
    • On Windows 8 or later, you can search for the guide on the Start screen.
  4. To configure logging behavior for the connector, click Logging Options. For more information, see Configuring Logging Options.
  5. To configure a connection through a proxy server, click Proxy Options. For more information, see Configuring a Proxy Connection.
  6. To configure client-server verification over SSL, click SSL Options. For more information, see Configuring SSL Verification.
  7. To test the connection, click Test. Review the results as needed, and then click OK.

    8. Note:

    If the connection fails, then confirm that the settings in the Simba DynamoDB ODBC Driver DSN Setup dialog box are correct. Contact your DynamoDB server administrator as needed.

  8. To save your settings and close the Simba DynamoDB ODBC Driver DSN Setup dialog box, click OK.
  9. To close the ODBC Data Source Administrator, click OK.

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