Connecting to a File DSN

File DSNs are an alternative to using ODBC Datasources. With these, the definition of the connection is contained in a file. This file can then be shared or copied between users.

Creating a File DSN

To create a File DSN:

• click on ODBC Manager
• select the File DSN tab
• click on Add
• follow the dialog

You can also create a file DSN using a text editor. Information on how to do this can be found on various sources on the web.

We recommend taking an existing *.dsn file as a base then amending it and saving it with a new name.

Passwords

File DSNs provide no mechanism for holding passwords in a secure (eg. encrypted) way. For this reason we strongly recommend that passwords are not held as part of a File DSN.

By contrast, Datasource definitions do encrypt passwords. This is one advantage of Datasource definitions over File DSNs.

If the DSN file does not contain the userid/password, this can be entered on the Signon window as per normal.