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DSN Connection Test Help

The Test Process

This dialogue allows you to test the connection to the specified DSN on the remote server machine. It is a complete test of server address/port, server operating system authentication, remote system DSN existance and database authentication (if necessary). To test just the OOB Server settings use the Test button on the Servers dialogue off the Server tab.

Initially the main Test window will show all the connection attributes and the values you have set. Passwords are replaced with "**********". Check boxes which are checked have a value of 1 else they are 0 for unchecked.

When you click on the Test button the following test process is run:

  1. The client connects to the port on the specified server. The server machine needs to have an OOB Server running on it and listening on the specified port.

  2. The client queries the OOB Server for its version and name.
  3. The LogonUser/LogonAuth attributes (Username and Password fields on the Server tab) are sent encrypted to the OOB Server and passed to the operating system for validation.

  4. The client connects to the remote ODBC data source. The TargetUser/TargetAuth will be passed in the connection string to the remote ODBC driver for validation.
  5. Once connected to the remote data source the client requests the remote driver manager version and the remote driver name and version.

The OOB Client needs the name of a server where the OOB Server is installed and the port the OOB Server is listening on. When the OOB Client connects to a server it passes the LogonUser/LogonAuth, the Server validates this with the standard operating system password APIs and then the server becomes that user for the duration of the connection.

The OOB Client will make "Connect Attempts" (see settings tab) attempts to connect to a server before giving up.

If you specify multiple OOB Servers then if the Client fails to connect to the first server, it will attempt to connect to the next server until a connection is made or until there are no servers left. If you want to use this facility you should probably reduce Connect Attempts on the settings tab to 1.

Test Status

When you click on the test button in this dialogue the process above will be followed and you can view the results in the output pane.

If the test is sucessful it will end in "Test Successful" and you will be able to see the OOB Server name and version, the remote driver manager version and the name and version of the remote ODBC driver.

If any part of the test process is unsuccessful the test will stop and the output pane will display the reason for the failure.

Connection Problems

Errors connecting to the OOB Server fall into these main categories:

All errors reported connecting to the remote SYSTEM ODBC data source are reported using the ODBC defined statem native error code and a text message describing which element of the ODBC chain reported the problem and the error description..

For help diagnosing DSN connection errors see the OOB FAQ.