# IBM Db2 for z/OS connection #

To access your data in IBM Db2 for z/OS, create a connection asset for it\.

Db2 for z/OS is an enterprise data server for IBM Z\. It manages core business data across an enterprise and supports key business applications\.

## Supported versions ##

IBM Db2 for z/OS version 11 and later

## Prerequisites ##

### Obtain the certificate file ###

A certificate file on the Db2 for z/OS server is required to use this connection\.**These steps must be done on the Db2 for z/OS server**: Obtain an IBM Db2 Connect Unlimited Edition license certificate file from [IBM Db2 Connect: Pricing](https://www.ibm.com/products/db2-connect/pricing) and [Installing the IBM Data Server Driver for JDBC and SQLJ](https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/db2/11.5?topic=apis-installing-data-server-driver-jdbc-sqlj)\. For installation instructions, see [Activating the license certificate file for Db2 Connect Unlimited Edition](https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/db2/11.5?topic=li-activating-license-certificate-file-db2-connect-unlimited-edition)\.

### Run the bind command ###

Run the following commands from the Db2 client that is configured to access the Db2 for z/OS server\.  
You need to run the bind command only once per remote database per Db2 client version\.

    db2 connect to DBALIAS user USERID using PASSWORD
    db2 bind path@ddcsmvs.lst blocking all sqlerror continue messages ddcsmvs.msg grant public
    db2 connect reset

For information about bind commands, see [Binding applications and utilities (Db2 Connect Server)](https://www.ibm.com/docs/SSEPGG_11.5.0/com.ibm.db2.luw.qb.dbconn.doc/doc/c0005595.html?pos=2)\.

### Run catalog commands ###

Run the following catalog commands from the Db2 client that is configured to access the Db2 for z/OS server:

<!-- <ol> -->

1.      db2 catalog tcpip node node_name remote hostname_or_address server port_no_or_service_name
    
    Example:  
    `db2 catalog tcpip node db2z123 remote 192.0.2.0 server 446`  
      
2.      db2 catalog dcs database local_name as real_db_name
    
    Example:  
    `db2 catalog dcs database db2z123 as db2z123`  
      
3.      db2 catalog database local_name as alias at node node_name authentication server
    
    Example:  
    `db2 catalog database db2z123 as db2z123 at node db2z123 authentication server`  
      
<!-- </ol> -->

For information about catalog commands, see [CATALOG TCPIP NODE](https://www.ibm.com/docs/SSEPGG_11.5.0/com.ibm.db2.luw.admin.cmd.doc/doc/r0001944.html) and [CATALOG DCS DATABASE](https://www.ibm.com/docs/SSEPGG_11.5.0/com.ibm.db2.luw.admin.cmd.doc/doc/r0001937.html)\.

## Create a connection to Db2 for z/OS ##

To create the connection asset, you need these connection details:

<!-- <ul> -->

 *  **Hostname or IP address**
 *  **Port number**
 *  **Collection ID**: The ID of the collections of packages to use
 *  **Location:** The unique name of the Db2 location you want to access
 *  **Username** and **password**
 *  **Application name** (optional): The name of the application that is currently using the connection\. For information, see [Client info properties support by the IBM Data Server Driver for JDBC and SQLJ](https://www.ibm.com/docs/SSEPGG_11.5.0/Javadocs/src/tpc/imjcc_r0052001.html)\.
 *  **Client accounting information** (optional): The value of the accounting string from the client information that is specified for the connection\. For information, see [Client info properties support by the IBM Data Server Driver for JDBC and SQLJ](https://www.ibm.com/docs/SSEPGG_11.5.0/Javadocs/src/tpc/imjcc_r0052001.html)\.
 *  **Client hostname** (optional): The hostname of the machine on which the application that is using the connection is running\. For information, see [Client info properties support by the IBM Data Server Driver for JDBC and SQLJ](https://www.ibm.com/docs/SSEPGG_11.5.0/Javadocs/src/tpc/imjcc_r0052001.html)\.
 *  **Client user** (optional): The name of the user on whose behalf the application that is using the connection is running\. For information, see [Client info properties support by the IBM Data Server Driver for JDBC and SQLJ](https://www.ibm.com/docs/SSEPGG_11.5.0/Javadocs/src/tpc/imjcc_r0052001.html)\.
 *  **SSL certificate** (if required by the database server)

<!-- </ul> -->

For **Private connectivity**, to connect to a database that is not externalized to the internet (for example, behind a firewall), you must set up a [secure connection](https://dataplatform.cloud.ibm.com/docs/content/wsj/manage-data/securingconn.html)\.

### Choose the method for creating a connection based on where you are in the platform ###

**In a project** : Click **Assets > New asset > Connect to a data source**\. See [Adding a connection to a project](https://dataplatform.cloud.ibm.com/docs/content/wsj/manage-data/create-conn.html)\.

**In a deployment space** : Click **Add to space > Connection**\. See [Adding connections to a deployment space](https://dataplatform.cloud.ibm.com/docs/content/wsj/analyze-data/ml-space-add-assets.html)\.

**In the Platform assets catalog** : Click **New connection**\. See [Adding platform connections](https://dataplatform.cloud.ibm.com/docs/content/wsj/manage-data/platform-conn.html)\.

### Next step: Add data assets from the connection ###

<!-- <ul> -->

 *  See [Add data from a connection in a project](https://dataplatform.cloud.ibm.com/docs/content/wsj/manage-data/connected-data.html)\.

<!-- </ul> -->

## Where you can use this connection ##

You can use Db2 for z/OS connections in the following workspaces and tools:

**Projects**

<!-- <ul> -->

 *  Notebooks\. Click **Read data** on the **Code snippets** pane to get the connection credentials and load the data into a data structure\. See [Load data from data source connections](https://dataplatform.cloud.ibm.com/docs/content/wsj/analyze-data/load-and-access-data.html#conns)\.
 *  Decision Optimization
 *  SPSS Modeler
 *  Synthetic Data Generator

<!-- </ul> -->

**Catalogs**

<!-- <ul> -->

 *  Platform assets catalog

<!-- </ul> -->

## Restriction ##

For SPSS Modeler, you can use this connection only to import data\. You cannot export data to this connection or to a Db2 for z/OS connected data asset\.

### Running SQL statements ###

To ensure that your SQL statements run correctly, refer to the [ Db2 for z/OS and SQL concepts](https://www.ibm.com/docs/db2-for-zos/12?topic=zos-db2-sql-concepts) for the correct syntax\.

## Learn more ##

[IBM Db2 for z/OS documentation](https://www.ibm.com/docs/db2-for-zos)

**Parent topic:**[Supported connections](https://dataplatform.cloud.ibm.com/docs/content/wsj/manage-data/conn_types.html)

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