Configuring a Database Connection

Before you can use a database with Silk Test Workbench, you must configure its database connection. The configuration process consists of using the Configure Database Connection dialog box to perform the following tasks:

  • Specify the database connection data required to initiate the database connection.

  • Verify the connection to the database.

  • Save the database connection data.

All configured database connections appear in the Database list that is located on the Silk Test Workbench dialog box.

You can also use the Configure Database Connection dialog box to view, edit, and remove any existing configured database connections.

Note: Before configuring a database connection for use with Silk Test Workbench, you must create and configure a database instance and ODBC Data Source Name (DSN).
Note: Silk Test Workbench cannot use 64-bit DSNs. To create a DSN for a 64-bit machine, click (in Microsoft Windows 7) Start > Silk > Silk Test > Administration > Data Sources (ODBC) or (in Microsoft Windows 10) Start > Windows Administrative Tools > ODBC Data Sources (32-bit) and create a 32-bit DSN. You can also use the WOW64 tools located at C:\WINDOWS\SysWOW64\odbcad32.exe.
  1. Click Configure on the Login to Silk Test Workbench dialog box. The Configure Database Connection dialog box opens.
  2. In the Data Source Type section, select the type of data source.
  3. From the Select Data Source list, select from the list of available DSNs.
  4. Check the Use as a Silk Test Workbench database check box to add the selected DSN to the list of configured database connections that appear in the Database list on the Login to Silk Test Workbench dialog box. You must check this check box when configuring a database connection for the first time. For existing configured database connections, unchecking the Use as a Silk Test Workbench database check box and clicking Apply removes the selected DSN from the Database list on the dialog box. Silk Test Workbench does not retain the associated database connection data.
  5. In the Database Settings section, specify the appropriate information for the selected DSN. For Access, the Database box is read-only and displays the location of the database file. This value is read directly from the ODBC DSN. The other Database Settings text boxes are not applicable for Access and are disabled. For Oracle, the Server text box is read-only and displays only the database name. This value is read directly from the ODBC DSN.
  6. In the Database box, type the appropriate value. For SQL Server/MSDE, the Database text box is modifiable and allows you to type the appropriate database name.
  7. In the Owner box, type the appropriate value.
  8. Select a type of authentication. Authentication options only apply to Oracle or SQL Server/MSDE databases. You can choose to use either Windows NT authentication or authenticate using the database’s native authentication capabilities. When selecting database authentication, you must provide the user name and password in the appropriate text boxes.
  9. Optional: Click Export to save the currently selected database configuration to an encrypted file. This button is only enabled if the currently selected database is configured as a Silk Test Workbench database.
  10. Optional: Click Import to add configuration information for a database from an encrypted file.
  11. Click Validate to verify that you can connect to the database using the specified database connection data.
  12. Click Apply to save the database connection data.
  13. Click Close to dismiss the dialog box.
Parent topic: Connecting to a Database