Method, system, and apparatus for discovering and connecting to data sources
First Claim
1. A method for discovering and connecting to a data source, the method comprising:
- receiving a request to connect to a data source;
in response to the request, identifying one or more available data sources from the contents of a centrally managed data connection repository, and returning the identities of the available data sources in response to the request;
receiving the selection of one of the available data sources; and
in response to the selection, returning a data connection file having data stored therein for establishing a connection to the selected data source.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method, system, and apparatus for discovering and connecting to data sources are provided. A system is provided that includes a server computer operative to maintain a centrally managed repository of data connection definitions. A client computer is also provided including an application program capable of consuming data from a data source. When a request is received by the application to connect to a data source, a list of available sources is retrieved from the server computer. If one of the data sources in the list is selected, a data connection file is retrieved and utilized to connect to the data source. If a report is opened by the application that includes a reference to a data source, the repository is utilized to confirm the connection to the data source.
175 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for discovering and connecting to a data source, the method comprising:
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receiving a request to connect to a data source;
in response to the request, identifying one or more available data sources from the contents of a centrally managed data connection repository, and returning the identities of the available data sources in response to the request;
receiving the selection of one of the available data sources; and
in response to the selection, returning a data connection file having data stored therein for establishing a connection to the selected data source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for discovering and connecting to a data source, the method comprising:
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receiving a request to connect to a data source;
in response to the request, transmitting a request to a centrally managed data connection repository for a list of the available data sources;
receiving the list of available data sources from the centrally managed data connection repository and displaying the list;
receiving the selection of one of the available data sources from the displayed list;
transmitting the identity of the selected data source to the centrally managed data connection repository;
in response to transmitting the identity of the selected data source, receiving from the repository a data connection file having data stored therein for establishing a connection to the selected data source; and
utilizing the data stored in the data connection file to establish a connection to the selected data source. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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- 15. A system for providing discovery of data sources, the system comprising a server computer operative to maintain a centrally managed repository for data connection definitions, the data connection definitions comprising a data connection file having data stored therein for establishing a connection to a data source and metadata describing one or more properties for the data source.
Specification