Accessing Db2 databases in real time is essential for analytics, reporting, and decision-making across platforms like LUW, z/OS, IBM i, and Db2 Warehouse. ODBC drivers streamline connectivity, eliminating complex custom integrations and licensing hurdles.
CData offers the CData ODBC Driver for IBM Db2, delivering optimized performance, enterprise-grade security, and compatibility with tools like Power BI, Tableau, and Excel. Features like query pushdown and parallel paging ensure efficient queries while maintaining compliance.
Here's how it works in 4 simple steps:
Install the CData ODBC Driver for IBM Db2
Create and test a Data Source Name (DSN)
Secure the connection with SSL/TLS or SSO
Connect from your favorite BI, ETL, or application
Download your free trial of the CData ODBC Driver for IBM Db2 and start querying live data today.
What you need to know to connect to Db2 with ODBC
ODBC connectivity for Db2 provides smooth, cross-platform data access. Despite common misconceptions, it’s a modern, secure option when configured correctly.
What is ODBC?
Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) is a standard application programming interface (API) that enables applications to access databases using a common set of functions, decoupling apps from vendor-specific protocols.
What is a DSN?
A Data Source Name (DSN) is a named, saved set of ODBC connection parameters such as driver, server, and database, that applications reference to connect without embedding credentials.
Checklist:
Choose the right ODBC driver
Choosing the right driver is crucial. IBM Data Server Driver is the official ODBC/CLI client from IBM for connecting to Db2. It works across all Db2 platforms and supports features like SSL/TLS security and performance tuning.
The CData ODBC Driver for IBM Db2 offers easy setup, broad BI/ETL compatibility, pushdown optimization, enterprise-grade security (SSL/TLS), and performance tuning across all Db2 platforms.
The table below compares IBM’s Data Server Driver with third-party options like the CData ODBC Driver for IBM Db2, mapping their strengths to Db2 platforms:
Feature/Property | IBM Data Server Driver | CData ODBC Driver for IBM Db2 |
Source | Official IBM offering | Third-party (CData) |
Version Support | Up to v12.1 (Dec 2024) | Up to v12.1 (Dec 2024) |
Installation | Manual (Fix Central/CDs) | Streamlined installer |
Features | CLI/ODBC/XA, LDAP, tracing | Pushdown, caching, replication |
Security | Kerberos, SSL | Kerberos, SSL |
Compatibility | Broad (AIX/Linux/Windows) | macOS/Linux/Windows + enhanced (BI/ETL tools) |
Licensing | Free (Db2 Connect for z/OS/i) | Paid, but simplified (no extra middleware) |
Ease of Use | Moderate (manual setup) | High (auto-schema, testing) |
Both IBM Data Server Driver, CData ODBC Driver for IBM Db2 support LUW, z/OS, IBM i, Db2 Warehouse platforms.
Avoid deprecated drivers: Do not use db2oci (deprecated) or db2ora (obsolete) for new deployments. Microsoft ODBC drivers are unsupported for Db2 connections.
Platform examples
Each Db2 platform has its own nuances:
Understand 32-bit vs 64-bit alignment for office and servers
Bitness indicates whether software is compiled for 32-bit or 64-bit CPU architectures. Drivers must match the application's bitness to avoid crashes, missing DSNs, or connection failures.
To verify:
Check app bitness in Task Manager (Details tab, look for "*32" suffix)
Confirm driver bitness in ODBC Data Source Administrator's Drivers tab
Power BI Desktop, Tableau, and most modern tools require a 64-bit driver
Older Microsoft Office versions (Excel, Access) often run in 32-bit mode and require 32-bit drivers
Windows tip:
Troubleshooting:
A missing DSN usually indicates creation in the wrong ODBC Administrator. Recreate it in the matching bitness or use a DSN-less connection string that references the correct driver.
How to connect to Db2 using ODBC on Windows
Install the CData ODBC Driver or a compatible Db2 ODBC driver
Download the CData ODBC Driver for IBM Db2 for streamlined setup and advanced features
Run the installer and confirm the driver appears in ODBC Data Source Administrator
Alternatively, install the IBM data server driver for ODBC and CLI (correct bitness)
Validation:
Open ODBC Administrator, verify the driver appears in the Drivers tab, and note the exact driver name for connection strings.
Create a DSN in ODBC data source administrator and test the connection
Open the correct ODBC Administrator for your application's bitness
Add a new System DSN and select the Db2 driver
Enter Hostname/IP, Port (commonly 50000 for Db2 LUW), Database, UID, and PWD
Click Test Connection and resolve any errors (DNS, firewall, credentials)
How to connect to Db2 using ODBC on Linux and macOS
Install unixODBC and register the Db2 ODBC driver
Install unixODBC and the Db2 driver
# Linux (Debian/Ubuntu)
sudo apt-get install unixodbc unixodbc-dev
# macOS (with Homebrew)
brew install unixodbc
Install the ODBC driver for Db2
Download the CData ODBC driver for DB2 and follow the installer instructions to deploy the driver. Note the installation directory or alternatively extract the IBM data server driver and record the libdb2o.so path for installation.
Register driver in odbcinst.ini
[DB2]; Driver=/opt/ibm/db2/clidriver/lib/libdb2o.so; Threading=2
Set environment variables in service contexts
export ODBCINSTINI=/etc/odbcinst.ini
export ODBCSYSINI=/etc
export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=/opt/ibm/db2/clidriver/lib:$LD_LIBRARY_PATH
# For macOS use DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH instead
Create odbcinst.ini and odbc.ini entries and test with isql
Define a DSN in /etc/odbc.ini(Linux) or /Library/ODBC/odbc.ini (macOS) with absolute path and description
[CData DB2 Source]
Driver=CData ODBC Driver for DB2
Server=db2.example.com
Port=50000
Database=TESTDB
User=myuser
Password=mypass
Test connection using isql -v "CData DB2 Source" to validate connectivity and driver registration
For troubleshooting, check library paths, SELinux/AppArmor policies, firewall egress to Db2 port, and certificate permissions for SSL.
Build a Db2 ODBC connection string for DSN-less connections
With ODBC drivers, you can use a connection string to connect to IBM Db2 without configuring a DSN. Each provider has a unique, but similar set of properties used in the connection string.
CData driver
DRIVER={CData ODBC Driver for DB2};Server=10.0.1.2;Port=50000;Database=test;User=admin;Password=admin;
IBM driver
Driver={IBM DB2 ODBC DRIVER};Hostname=db2.example.com;Port=50000;Database=TESTDB;Protocol=TCPIP;UID=user;PWD=pass;Security=SSL;
Cross-platform
Driver=/opt/ibm/db2/clidriver/lib/libdb2o.so;Hostname=db2.example.com;Port=50000;DB=TESTDB;Uid=user;Pwd=pass
Schema and tuning options
Driver providers often provide specific connection properties that can be used to tune performance. These properties are available in DSNs or connection strings.
CData driver
Query Passthrough=true enables query pushdown optimization
Max Rows=1000 limits result set size for performance
Timeout=30 sets the general timeout for the provider
Cache Location=/tmp/cache specifies the local cache directory for replication
IBM driver
Secure and optimize your Db2 ODBC connection
Enterprise Db2 connections require defence-in-depth security combining encryption, authentication, and performance optimization to protect data while maintaining speed.
Enable SSL/TLS and manage certificate stores
SSL/TLS encrypts network traffic to protect data in transit between clients and servers. Enable by adding Security=SSL to your connection string and import server or CA certificates as required by your driver.
Certificate parameters vary by driver:
Test with non-production credentials and inspect driver logs for certificate chain or hostname validation errors.
Configure Kerberos SSO when required
Kerberos is a network authentication protocol that uses tickets and mutual authentication to enable single sign-on (SSO) without sending passwords over the network.
Setup steps: Obtain a valid TGT (kinit); configure service principal mappings on the Db2 server; enable GSSAPI/Kerberos in the driver; test using a domain-joined host.
Cross-platform tip: Ensure krb5.conf/Registry settings are aligned; keep time sync accurate to avoid ticket failures.
Tune performance with pooling, pushdown, and schema settings
Pooling: Enable ODBC connection pooling at driver manager level with appropriate reuse thresholds
Pushdown: Use drivers that push filters, joins, and aggregations to Db2; CData Drivers optimize pushdown and parallel paging for large scans
Schema control: Set CurrentSchema to reduce object resolution overhead and limit default catalogs for faster metadata calls
Batching/buffers: Increase fetch or buffer sizes for large result sets and tune timeouts for long running queries
Use your Db2 ODBC DSN in BI, ETL, and apps
To streamline setup and minimize errors, align the bitness of your tools and drivers and reuse defined DSNs when connecting from Power BI, Tableau, or Excel. For Power BI and Excel, ensure the CData ODBC driver matches the bitness of your Office installation and select the correct System DSN from the ODBC data source list. In Tableau, connect through the ODBC option and customize attributes using .tdc files as needed.
For ETL tools like SSIS and Informatica PowerCenter, configure connections using the same Db2 ODBC DSN to maintain consistency. SSIS users should leverage the ODBC Connection Manager, while PowerCenter users can define and validate connections within the repository. When embedding ODBC connections in applications like C# or Python, use consistent connection strings and follow best practices: store credentials securely, rotate them regularly, and avoid logging sensitive information.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Db2 Connect license to use ODBC with Db2 for z/OS or IBM i?
Yes. Direct client connections to Db2 for z/OS or IBM i require a valid DB2 Connect license installed and recognized by the driver. Verify via IBM Support guidance and test connections.
What port should I use to connect to Db2 and how do I handle firewalls?
Db2 LUW typically uses port 50000. Confirm the service port with DBA or dbm cfg, open it in firewall rules, and validate connectivity with telnet or nc.
Can I use the Microsoft ODBC driver to connect to Db2?
No. Microsoft ODBC drivers do not support Db2; use the IBM Data Server Driver or a compatible Db2 ODBC driver for proper protocol handling.
How do I set the current schema in a Db2 ODBC connection string?
Add CurrentSchema=MYSCHEMA to your ODBC connection string to control object resolution. This reduces the need to qualify table names and can improve metadata performance.
How do I enable SSL/TLS with the Db2 ODBC driver on Windows and Linux?
Set Security=SSL in the connection and reference the server or CA certificate as required by your driver, then test to confirm certificate validation succeeds. Ensure file permissions and trust stores are accessible to the service account.
Why doesn't my DSN appear in 64-bit Office or Power BI?
The DSN exists in the wrong ODBC Administrator. Create it in the 64-bit ODBC Administrator or install the matching 64-bit driver for bitness alignment.
Transform your Db2 data access today
Eliminate Db2 connectivity complexity with the CData ODBC Driver for IBM Db2 — delivering enterprise-grade performance, security, and governance across all Db2 platforms. With features like query pushdown, parallel paging, and support for SSL/TLS and SSO, you get faster analytics and simplified integration into BI, ETL, and custom applications.
Ready to see it in action? Download your free trial and experience seamless Db2 integration in just minutes.
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