You can connect CIC to an existing on-premise or private cloud database or to the CIC database. Either type of connection allows you to use the database as a Data Source in your integrations. This article describes how to implement both types of connections. 

Connecting to an existing database from CIC

You can connect CIC to an existing database either directly or using CIC Agent as a proxy.

Connecting directly allows CIC to perform SQL operations on an on-premise database without having to install any additional software in the on-premise or private cloud environment. However, connecting directly exposes your database to CIC and, thus, requires open inbound ports. See Connecting directly to a database from CIC

Connecting using CIC Agent as a proxy also allows CIC to perform direct database operations. And because CIC Agent connects outbound to CIC over a mutually authenticated secure connection, there is no need to open inbound firewall ports. However, you must install and configure some CIC software where it is accessible from the system the database resides on. See Using a proxy to connect to a database from CIC

Both of these connection types provide you with end-to-end visibility of all operations since database operations are directly visible to the CIC platform. 

Connecting directly to a database from CIC

1. In the CIC Studio, open the Project where you want your Data Source to reside.
2. Add the JDBC driver you want to use to your Project's Classpath.
1. Add a lib directory to the Project and add the JDBC driver .jar file to the new lib directory.
2. Open the Manifest editor and do the following: 
   • In the Runtime tab, click Add in the Classpath section and add the driver jar.
     
   • In the Build tab, ensure that the lib directory is added in the Runtime Information area of the Build tab.
     
     
     
   • Make sure to select lib directory the driver jar in both the Binary Build and Source Build areas of the tab.
   • Save your work.
3. Create and configure your Data Source. When the JDBC Driver is added to the MANIFEST.MF, the Data Source Classpath field will be left blank, but you will be able to select the JDBC driver. See Data Sources. Make sure you use the JDBC driver you just added to your Project.
4. Reference your Data Source in other CIC Studio objects like you would any other Data Source.

Using a proxy to connect to a database from CIC

1. Install the CIC Agent and create an Access Point accessible from the system where the database resides. The CIC Agent and Access Point must be installed on physical or virtual hardware inside the on-premise or private cloud deployment.  See Managing Access Points.
2. Perform steps above in Connecting directly to a database from CIC, except while you are configuring your Data Source, do the following:
   • Under Connection Information, when you specify the database URL, insert jdbc:remote:// at the front of the URL and insert the Access Point name (MyAccessPoint in this example) in your JDBC connection string. The following example enables CIC to use the Access Point, MyAccessPoint to connect you to the postgresql database, MyDatabase, at 10.10.25.156.

jdbc:remote://MyAccessPoint;jdbc:postgresql://10.10.25.156/MyDatabase

Connecting to the CIC database

It is possible to use the CIC database as a Data Source. Contact Cleo for assistance.