Data sources are the physical units from which data can be retrieved, usually databases. Connecting to a database requires technical know-how not always found among end users. Therefore, Information Designer lets the administrator make all the required settings in advance, including database name, username, password, etc. This information becomes part of elements and items in the library so that when an end user executes an information link, the connection to any required databases can be established automatically and invisibly.
User authentication to the data source can be made in two ways. The first way is to set up the authentication while creating the data source connection. In this case, all users connect with the same credentials. This is a simple way to authenticate users when everyone has the same permissions to the data source. Further limitation of the access to a data source can be applied by placing the data source within a folder with limited permissions for some users or groups. For more information, see Setting Folder Permissions.
The other way is to require authentication each time a connection is used. This is useful when a more detailed security model is required. Using user authentication, row level security can be obtained. The credentials can either be supplied by the user or by a plug-in when running an information link against this data source. A plug-in minimizes the number of times one has to log into the TIBCO Spotfire environment, leaving it up to the plug-in to deliver the data source credentials. Without a plug-in, users will have to supply their data source credentials in a prompt. Credentials can be cached in the data source so that users are prompted only once for each session.
The layout and handling of the data sources affect most other actions involving the creation of information links. Therefore, it is most valuable to do a proper planning before starting to work on the layout. Modifications to the data sources after the structure has been set up in the library and information links have been defined will probably mean that some manual work is needed to make sure all information links are still functional.
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