Managing Data Sources - Using Other Databases Than AD
As the default
data source for custom and up to date user information, from which data is inserted in custom user information fields when generating signatures, the
Active Directory is used. However, this data can be inserted also from other data sources, for example MS SQL Server.
Several data sources can be added to the
Cockpit. Then they become available in the data source drop-down list when creating or editing a
signature.
Creating a New Data Source
To create a new
data source, proceed as follows:
- In the Setup tab, in the Advanced Options group, click 'Manage Data Sources'.
The Data Source Manager window appears.
- To create a new data source, click 'New Data Source'. The following window appears.
- In the Data source name field, enter the data source name and click 'Save'.
Further data source creating steps involve choosing database connection type for the data source and then proceeding as described in the following respective sections.
Data Source Based on a Table or View
This section describes steps for creating a
data source that are specific and necessary if you choose to set the data source based on a table or view. This section continues steps from the Creating a New Data Source section.
- As Database connection type select 'Data based on a table or view'.
- In the Connection string to Employee Directory field, enter the connection string to the database to which you want to connect.
It is not within the scope of this manual to describe connection strings in detail. Consult your administrator for assistance. In addition, a small help box that describes MS Access and MS SQL Server connection type is available.
- To use the help to enter the connection type, click the help button and choose the connection type.
As you choose the connection type, a sample connection string is entered.
- Replace parameter values that are in capital letters in the sample with your respective information.
- To establish and test the connection, click 'Test'.
- After a successful test, in the Table/view name field, enter the view name and click 'Verify'.
Note that you will not see the number of fields found.
- Ensure that at least one record is returned from the view. If not, it will not be possible to retrieve the columns.
- In the Name of field identifying users (logon name/initials) drop-down list select a column by which users will be identified. In the following example, the account name is used as the identifier.
Ensure that at least one record returns account names of users, otherwise, it is not possible to identify users in the database.
- If users are listed with the domain name in the format DOMAIN\user, ensure that the 'Include Domain Short Name' check box is selected.
- To verify the content, click 'View' and view all users in the database.
- To complete creating the data source, click 'Save'.
Now the data source is ready and available to be selected as data source in a signature.
- Open a signature, and in the Data Source drop-down, select the newly created data source.
When the data source is selected, the fields from this data source are automatically available when inserting fields in the signature. Note that only fields that exist and have been validated previously are available.
Important: If you change, remove or add fields to the view or the table, you must also enter the data source manager, and refresh the data source. The settings are cached for performance reasons.
Data Source Based on a Stored Procedure
This section describes steps for creating a
data source that are specific and necessary if you choose to set the data source based on a stored procedure. This section continues steps from the Creating a New Data Source section.
- Select 'Data based on a Stored Procedure'.
- In the Connection string to Employee Directory field, enter the connection string to the database to which you want to connect.
It is not within the scope of this manual to describe connection strings in detail. Consult your administrator for assistance. In addition, a small help box that describes MS Access and MS SQL Server connection type is available.
- To use the help to enter the connection type, click the help button and choose the connection type.
As you choose the connection type, a sample connection string is entered.
- Replace parameter values that are in capital letters in the sample with your respective information.
- To establish and test the connection, click 'Test'.
- After a successful test, enter the following information:
| Stored Procedure Name | Procedure's name. |
| Parameter Name | Parameter in the stored procedure that returns the user name. |
| Known Parameter | An existing account's name. |
Note: Ensure that you have at least one record returning from the stored procedure. If you do not have that, it is not possible to retrieve the columns.
Note: Ensure that at least one record returns account names of users, otherwise, it is not possible to identify users in the database.
- To verify the connection, click 'Verify'.
A full list of values returned from the stored procedure appears.
- To complete creating the data source, click 'Save'.
Now the data source is ready and available to be selected as data source in a signature.
- Open a signature, and in the Data Source drop-down, select the newly created data source.
When the data source is selected, the fields from this data source are automatically available when inserting fields in the signature. Note that only fields that exist and have been validated previously are available.
Important: If you change, remove or add fields to the view or the table, you must also enter the data source manager, and refresh the data source. The settings are cached for performance reasons.
Changing Domain Root¶
The changing domain root option is rarely used, as it is used together with renaming entire domain.
To change the domain root, proceed as follows:
- In the 'Setup tab', in the 'Advanced Options' toolbar, click 'Change Domain Root'.
- In the window that appears, in the Domain root field, enter the LDAP root string.
- To save the changes made, click 'Save'.
- For the Lotus Note environment, it is possible to set the location of signatures by selecting the respective check box and then in the field that appears choosing the path for location of signatures.
Note: Font, font size, and other stationery do not work with Lotus Notes.
- To save the changes made, click 'Save'.
- To close the Advanced Technical Settings window, click 'Save'.
Up to
Administering eMailSignatureBack to
Adding Disclaimers to SignaturesForward to
Debugging and Diagnostics