Reporting From External Database Connections
Note: The instructions on this page primarily apply to_hosted_PCR-360 Customers who want to access their data using third-party software. This does_not_discuss the PCR-360 feature to import and run Crystal Report RPT files. That feature is found at Crystal Reports. More specific discussion of developing Crystal Reports in particular is found at Crystal Development.
PCR-360 for Hosted Customers runs on a protected server that doesn't allow direct access to the data service. You must have a SSH login to connect to the server, and "tunnel" your database connection through that SSH connection. For purposes of instruction, this discussion will focus on Crystal Reports, but generally applies to any Windows software that uses ODBC to connect to data sources.
Crystal Reports only runs on Windows, and Windows has certain limitations when it comes to database server connections. For one, Windows doesn't inherently understand SSH, which is the most common way to connect directly to a Linux server. At this time, all installations of PCR-360 run on Linux servers, and require SSH access to connect to the application's database. If you're working with Crystal Reports or another Windows-based report development software, you'll need a way to help Windows access the server using SSH.
Requesting Server Access
- Hosted Customers:
- Contact PCR Help Desk to request server and database access.
- Once your access request is verified, PCR will provide server connection, SSH credentials, and database credentials.
- Internal (Instance) Customers:
- Your network administrator is responsible for providing access to the_server_PCR-360 is running on. Please contact that person for assistance.
- You will_also_need to contact PCR Help Desk to request database access. You should coordinate this request with your network administrator so all parties are fully informed of the request.
- Once your access request is verified, PCR will provide database credentials. Your administrator is responsible for server connection and/or SSH credentials.
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