Before you can create models and import metadata, you must define data sources. A data source connection supplies the information that Cognos 8 needs to connect to a database.
Each data source can contain one or more physical connections to databases. The data source connection specifies the parameters needed to connect to the database, such as the location of the database and the timeout duration. A connection can include credential information and signons.
You can secure data sources using Cognos 8 authentication. Cognos 8 authentication respects any security that is also defined within the data source. You can create data source signons to isolate the database logon process from the end users. The signon stores the user ID and password required to access the database. You can also deploy data sources.
For more information about data source connections, see the Administration and Security Guide.