Build Automated DB2-Connected Workflows in Zapier
Zapier is an online automation tool that connects your apps and services. When paired with CData Connect AI, you get access to live DB2 data for your workflows. This article shows how to connect to DB2 and build workflows with live DB2 data in Zapier.
Connect to DB2 from Zapier
To work with DB2 in Zapier, we need to connect to DB2 from Connect AI, provide user access to the connection, and create a Workspace for the DB2 data.
Connect to DB2 from Connect AI
CData Connect AI uses a straightforward, point-and-click interface to connect to data sources.
- Log into Connect AI, click Sources, and then click Add Connection
- Select "DB2" from the Add Connection panel
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Enter the necessary authentication properties to connect to DB2.
Set the following properties to connect to DB2:
- Server: Set this to the name of the server running DB2.
- Port: Set this to the port the DB2 server is listening on.
- Database: Set this to the name of the DB2 database.
- User: Set this to the username of a user allowed to access the database.
- Password: Set this to the password of a user allowed to access the database.
You will also need to install the corresponding DB2 driver:
- Windows: Install the IBM Data Server Provider for .NET.
On Windows, installing the IBM Data Server Provider is sufficient, as the installation registers it in the machine.config.
- Java: Install the IBM Data Server Driver for JDBC.
In the Java version, place the IBM Data Server Driver JAR in the www\WEB-INF\lib\ folder for this application.
- Click Save & Test
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Navigate to the Permissions tab in the Add DB2 Connection page and update the User-based permissions.
Add a Personal Access Token
When connecting to Connect AI through the REST API, the OData API, or the Virtual SQL Server, a Personal Access Token (PAT) is used to authenticate the connection to Connect AI. It is best practice to create a separate PAT for each service to maintain granularity of access.
- Click on the Gear icon () at the top right of the Connect AI app to open the settings page.
- On the Settings page, go to the Access Tokens section and click Create PAT.
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Give the PAT a name and click Create.
- The personal access token is only visible at creation, so be sure to copy it and store it securely for future use.
Configure DB2 Endpoints for Zapier
After connecting to DB2, create a workspace for your desired table(s).
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Navigate to the Workspaces page and click Add to create a new Workspace (or select an existing workspace).
- Click Add to add new assets to the Workspace.
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Select the DB2 connection (e.g. DB21) and click Next.
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Select the table(s) you wish to work with and click Confirm.
- Make note of the OData Service URL for your workspace, e.g. https://cloud.cdata.com/api/odata/{workspace_name}
With the connection, PAT, and Workspace configured, you are ready to connect to DB2 data from Zapier.
Connect to DB2 Data in Zapier Workflows
To establish a connection from Zapier to CData Connect AI using the OData protocol, follow these steps.
- Log into Zapier.
- Click Create Zap.
- In the dialog that appears, search for "Webhooks by Zapier", and click the option underneath.
- Under Event, select Retrieve Poll.
- Fill in the connection details:
- URL: Enter the OData URL (e.g. https://cloud.cdata.com/api/odata/{workspace_name}).
- Key: Enter "value.name."
- Authentication details: Fill in the Basic Auth or Headers. The basic option requires a user (your Connect AI username, e.g. [email protected]) and password (the PAT you've previously created) separated by a pipe symbol: |. The headers option requires a request type header with encoded credentials.
- Click Test. If the connection is set up properly, sample records will appear.
Simplified Access to DB2 Data from Cloud Applications
At this point, you have a direct, cloud-to-cloud connection to live DB2 data from Zapier. For more information on gaining simplified access to data from more than 100 SaaS, Big Data, and NoSQL sources in cloud applications like Zapier, refer to our Connect AI page.