Integrate IBM Informix Data in Pentaho Data Integration

The CData JDBC Driver for IBM Informix enables access to live data from data pipelines. Pentaho Data Integration is an Extraction, Transformation, and Loading (ETL) engine that data, cleanses the data, and stores data using a uniform format that is accessible.This article shows how to connect to IBM Informix data as a JDBC data source and build jobs and transformations based on IBM Informix data in Pentaho Data Integration.

Configure to IBM Informix Connectivity

Set the following properties to connect to IBM Informix

• Server: Set this to the name of the server running IBM Informix.
• Port: Set this to the port the IBM Informix server is listening on.
• Database: Set this to the name of the IBM Informix 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.

Built-in Connection String Designer

For assistance in constructing the JDBC URL, use the connection string designer built into the IBM Informix JDBC Driver. Either double-click the JAR file or execute the jar file from the command-line.

Fill in the connection properties and copy the connection string to the clipboard.

When you configure the JDBC URL, you may also want to set the Max Rows connection property. This will limit the number of rows returned, which is especially helpful for improving performance when designing reports and visualizations.

Below is a typical JDBC URL:

Save your connection string for use in Pentaho Data Integration.

Connect to IBM Informix from Pentaho DI

Open Pentaho Data Integration and select "Database Connection" to configure a connection to the CData JDBC Driver for IBM Informix

1. Click "General"
2. Set Connection name (e.g. IBM Informix Connection)
3. Set Connection type to "Generic database"
4. Set Access to "Native (JDBC)"
5. Set Custom connection URL to your IBM Informix connection string (e.g.
   jdbc:informix:Server=10.0.1.2;Port=50000;User=admin;Password=admin;Database=test;
6. Set Custom driver class name to "cdata.jdbc.informix.InformixDriver"
7. Test the connection and click "OK" to save.

Create a Data Pipeline for IBM Informix

Once the connection to IBM Informix is configured using the CData JDBC Driver, you are ready to create a new transformation or job.

1. Click "File" >> "New" >> "Transformation/job"
2. Drag a "Table input" object into the workflow panel and select your IBM Informix connection.
3. Click "Get SQL select statement" and use the Database Explorer to view the available tables and views.
4. Select a table and optionally preview the data for verification.

At this point, you can continue your transformation or jb by selecting a suitable destination and adding any transformations to modify, filter, or otherwise alter the data during replication.

Free Trial & More Information

Download a free, 30-day trial of the CData JDBC Driver for IBM Informix and start working with your live IBM Informix data in Pentaho Data Integration today.