Ascertain Connectivity of the Shared Data Source
Let’s
ensure we have a working data source. Many of us will be running “side-by-side”
installations of MSSQL Server 2005 and MSSQL Server 2008. This means that our
installation of the latter will need to be referenced as a server / instance
combination, versus a server name alone. (The default for the AdventureWorks
2008 Sample Reports solution’s connection is localhost, which will not work
correctly in such a side-by-side installation, as the MSSQL Server 2005 instance
will have assumed the identity of the local PC by default.)
From
within the open AdventureWorks
2008 Sample Reports
solution, within the SQL
Server Business Intelligence Development Studio, take the following steps:
1.
Double-click AdventureWorks2008.rds
(depicted circled in Illustration 7) within the Shared Data Sources folder seen
in Solution Explorer.
Illustration 7: The Open the AdventureWorks2008.rds Shared Data Source
The Shared
Data Source Properties dialog opens, showing default settings.
2.
Click the Edit
button on the Shared Data Source dialog.
The Connection
Properties dialog opens, and appears with default settings similar to those shown
in Illustration 8.
Illustration 8: The Connection Properties Dialog with Default Settings ...
We note that the default Server name is “localhost.”
While this might prove an adequate setting for a PC with only MSSQL Server 2008
installed (default instance), in many of our environments, the requirement is
for the server / instance combination that correctly identifies the correct MSSQL
Server 2008 instance. (Clicking the Test Connection button at this point will
provide confirmation as to whether we need to make this change).
3.
If
appropriate, type the correct server / instance name into the Server name box
of the Connection Properties dialog. (Mine is MOTHER\MOTHER2K8, as depicted in Illustration
9.)
Illustration 9: The Connection Properties Dialog with Corrected Settings ...
4.
Ensure that
authentication settings are correct for the local environment.
5.
Click the Test
Connection button.
A
message box appears, indicating that the Test connection succeeded, assuming
that our changes (or lack of same, as circumstances might dictate) are
appropriate. The message box appears as shown in Illustration 10.
Illustration 10: Testing Positive for Connectivity ...
6.
Click OK to
dismiss the message box.
7.
Click OK to
accept changes, as appropriate, and to dismiss the Connection Properties dialog.
The Shared
Data Source dialog appears, with our modified settings, similar to those
depicted in Illustration 11.
Illustration 11: The Shared Data Source Dialog with Modified Settings ...
8.
Click OK to
close the Shared Data Source dialog, and to return to the development
environment.
In Part 2
of this article we will continue our introduction to the tablix data region by
opening the Territory Sales Drilldown 2008 sample report. We will then be
positioned to examine the properties and settings, as well as the operation, of
a tablix data region that is employed in a fully functional report.
9.
Select File -> Exit to leave the design environment, when ready (saving
as desired), and to close the Business Intelligence Development Studio.
Conclusion
In this, Part 1 of an introduction to the Reporting
Services 2008 tablix data region, we began a discussion of the tablix and its general
uses and characteristics. We stated that this overview would serve to prepare
us for other articles where we employ the tablix data region in reporting from
an Analysis Services data source, and demonstrate properties (and creative ways
to manipulate them within our reports) and methods that we can leverage to
format and deliver information to meet the business needs of our clients and
employees.
In introducing the tablix data region, we briefly discussed
preparation for our practice session, specifically touching upon how to obtain
and install the samples for Reporting Services 2008. We then opened the sample
Report Server solution, AdventureWorks 2008 Sample Reports, and ascertained
connectivity of its shared MSSQL Server 2008 data source. Throughout this
first half of the article, we discussed basic features of the tablix data
region, and looked forward to Part 2, where we will further discuss the basic
features of the tablix data region, and examine the supporting properties and
settings within an existing sample report.
About the MSSQL Server Reporting Services
Series ...
This
article is a member of the series MSSQL Server Reporting Services. The column is designed to
introduce MSSQL Server Reporting Services (“Reporting Services”), presenting an
overview of its features, with tips and techniques for real-world use. For
more information on the series in general, please see my initial Database Journal article, A New Paradigm for Enterprise Reporting.
»
See All Articles by Columnist William E. Pearson, III
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