Applies To
	Product(s):	MicroStation/J and MicroStation Geographics
	Version(s):	All
	Environment:	N/A
	Area:	N/A
	Subarea:	N/A
	Original Author:	Bentley Technical Support Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overview

This TechNote discusses ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) and methods of connecting to a database.

MicroStation and MicroStation GeoGraphics use ODBC drivers to communicate with some of the supported databases. A listing of supported databases can be found in the following articles.

 

1. Verify the ODBC drivers
ODBC drivers are located in the Windows Control Panel. Double-click the ODBC icon to display the ODBC data source name dialog (see figure below). For versions 3.5 and above, there will be a Drivers tab. Locate the driver for the database you are using and find the version number listed in the next column.

 

2. If necessary, install the correct version of ODBC driver for the database that you have chosen.
These drivers are available as a free download from the Microsoft web site.

 

Note: You may be required to register with Microsoft before downloading files or support articles from their web site.

 

The Microsoft ODBC 3.51 32 bit Desktop Driver Pack is available on the Microsoft web site at: http://www.microsoft.com/msdownload/uda/mdac_typ.asp

Important Note: Beginning with MicroStation SE version 05.07.01.14 and higher, version 3.51 of the ODBC drivers must be installed.

ODBC drivers may be obtained from the Microsoft Web site.

3. Steps to create a data source

1. Create an ODBC data source to connect to the delivered MicroStation Access database GIS.MDB.
2. Go to the Control Panel and click on the ODBC icon., the ODBC Data Source Administrator dialog box opens. (Note: On Windows 2000 the ODBC drivers are located under control panel > administrative tools > data sources > ODBC.)
3. Click the Add button, and the Create New Data Source dialog box opens.

    

    

4. Click on the database driver required for your database, in this case we will pick the Microsoft Access driver, then click Finish.
5. A new dialog box opens with the name of the selected driver as the title. Provide a data source name, in this example, gis. Add a description (optional) , such as GIS database. Then, under Database, click the Select button to select the gis.mdb file. For MicroStation 95 and MicroStation SE, this file is located in \ustation\database\odbc\examples\access\. For MicroStation/J, this file is located in \Bentley\Program\MicroStation\database\odbc\examples\access\.

   Alternately, you may create your own database. If you want ODBC to create the blank database for you, click create and specify a path and file name. Click Help if you have any questions on the required contents for any of these fields.

    

New functionality added in the ODBC server available on Web Downloads and delivered in MicroStation versions 05.07.01.14 and higher

• When connecting through the Settings > Database > Connect dialog, it is no longer necessary to enter the connect string (the data source name) to connect to the database. Specifying ODBC as the server and leaving the Connect String entry blank will cause the ODBC data source dialog to open. Select the appropriate Data Source from the dialog, and click OK to initiate a connection to that database.
• MS_ODBCPARAMS, a configuration variable located in the ustation\config\database\odbc.cfg file, can be configured in a number of ways to allow users to connect to a database. The parameters which may be passed include:

  						FILEDSN= name of the file dsnDSN =	name of the User/System dsn UID=	user idPWD=	password
  	

  If more than one parameter is used, they must be separated by semicolons. For example, for a data source called gis and a login/password of steve/tiger, MS_ODBCPARAMS would be entered as follows:

  MS_ODBCPARAMS=DSN=GIS;UID=steve;PWD=tiger

  To connect to a predefined DSN (one that is defined by a MS_ODBCPARAMS variable), go to the Settings > Database > Connect dialog box, select ODBC as the server and leave the Connect String blank, then click OK to connect.

See Also

Product TechNotes and FAQs

Geospatial Product TechNotes And FAQs

External Links

Bentley Technical Support KnowledgeBase

Bentley LEARN Server

Comments or Corrections?

Bentley's Technical Support Group requests that you please confine any comments you have on this Wiki entry to this "Comments or Corrections?" section. THANK YOU!