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You make data sources available to clients by creating a Data Source Name (DSN). Three types of DSNs exist:

 

> User.                    A user DSN is visible only to the user who is logged on when the DSN is created.

> System.              A system DSN is visible to all local services on a computer and all users who log on locally to the                                                       computer.

> File.                     A file DSN can be shared by all users who have the same drivers installed and who

have the necessary permissions to access the DSN. Unlike user and system DSNs, file

DSNs are stored in text files, rather than the registry.

 

The DSN identifies the data source, the driver associated with a data source, and other properties that define the interaction between the client and the data source, such as timeout, read-only mode, and so on. You use the same process to create a DSN for most database types. The exception is SQL Server, which provides a wizard for setting up a data source.

 

Defining a data source

To create a data source, you first open the ODBC Data Source Administrator. To do so, click Start _ All Programs _ Administrative Tools _ Data Sources (ODBC). In the ODBC Data Source Administrator, click the tab for the DSN type you want to create and then click Add. Select the desired data source type and click Finish. Except in the case of the SQL Server driver, ODBC prompts you for information, which varies according to the driver selected. Define settings as desired and click OK to create the DSN.