KB8374: What are Database Connections and how are they edited and created in MicroStrategy?

A Database Connection specifies the Data Source Name (DSN) and Database Login used to access the warehouse. A Database Instance designates one Database Connection as the default connection for Strategy users, however users and groups can be mapped to other Database Connections using connection mapping.
 
Database Connections are created and edited in the Database Instance Editor, as shown below:
 

 
To access the Database Instance Editor, log into the Project Source as a Database Instance Manager. Once logged on, expand the administration icon in the Folder List and browse to the Database Instance Manager. Select and edit the specified Database Instance or select File > New > Database Instance if creating a new Database Instance.
 
Any Database Connection created within the Database Instance Editor is available for use across all Database Instances in the project source.
 
When creating a new Database Connection or editing an existing one, the Database Connection dialog box opens, as below:
 

 
The Database Connection dialog box contains the following tabs:
 

• General - specifies the Database Connection name, the warehouse DSN, and the default Database Login.
• Advanced - specifies the database driver mode, driver execution mode, and other miscellaneous warehouse connection settings.

To create or edit a Database Connection, perform the following steps:
 

1. On the General tab, in the Database connection name box, enter the name of the Database Connection.
2. Under Open Database Connection (ODBC) data sources, select the warehouse DSN.
3. Under Database Login, select the default Database Login and click 'OK'.

NOTE: If no database login exists, click 'New' to create a new one.