Integrating Db2 with Power BI unlocks rich analytics and interactive dashboards from IBM i data, driving better decision-making across the organization. A key component in establishing this connection is Power Query, which simplifies the process
Connecting IBM i Db2 with Power Query Desktop
The first step in connecting IBM i Db2 with Power Query Desktop is to open Power BI and select the Get Data option.
Next, click on Database and choose IBM Db2 database from the available options.
Here’s what you’ll need:
· Server Name (or Server Name: Port if a port number is required)
· Database Name to be accessed
· Data Connectivity Mode (choose either Import or DirectQuery)
Note: The DirectQuery option does not support the use of the SQL Statement advanced option.
Click OK.
Next, enter the authentication details—IBM i username, password, and the applicable authentication level.
Note: Authentication details are only required for the initial connection.
Click Connect, and your IBM i Db2 will be linked to Power BI.
Note: If a prompt appears indicating that an encrypted connection is not possible, click OK to proceed with an unencrypted connection.
Once the connection is established, Power BI's Navigator allows you to select, load, and transform the desired database table.
Connecting IBM i Db2 with Power Query Online
Now, let’s explore how to connect IBM i Db2 with Power Query Online.
Start by opening the Power Query Connect to Data Source page.
Select IBM Db2 database.
You will then need to provide:
· Server Name (or Server Name: Port if required)
· Database Name to be accessed
· Data Gateway
· Authentication Kind (choose Basic if connecting with IBM i credentials)
Note: Authentication details are required only during the initial connection.
Enter your IBM i username and password.
Check the Use Encrypted Connection box for an encrypted connection, or leave it unchecked for an unencrypted one.
Click Next.
Once the connection is established, use Power BI’s Navigator to select and transform the database table.
Determining the IBM i Database Name
To find the IBM i database name required for connecting IBM i Db2 with Power BI, use the command DSPRDBDIRE on IBM i. Select option 5 on the entry with *LOCAL as the remote location, and the database name will appear on the screen.
For example, the database name could be P1379XPV.
Determining the Port Number
To identify the port number for IBM i Db2, run the WRKSRVTBLE command on IBM i. Search for the service table entry labeled drda—the corresponding port number is what you’ll use.
Note: The default port for the drda service is 446.
Advanced Options in Power BI
Power BI provides several advanced options for connecting to IBM i Db2, particularly useful when working with databases containing numerous tables or large datasets, but only a few tables require analysis.
One key option is SQL Statement, where you can specify a SQL query to retrieve only the necessary data.
You can also select the Include Relationship Columns checkbox to include columns correlated with other tables, or the Navigate Using Full Hierarchy checkbox to view the full table hierarchy.
Conclusion
Integrating IBM i Db2 with Power BI unlocks significant potential for modern data analytics, enabling organizations to leverage their IBM i data for insightful visualizations. By following the steps outlined above, you can seamlessly connect these platforms, enhancing your organization’s decision-making capabilities through powerful data visualizations.
Continuously refining your Power BI reports and leveraging both platforms' performance features will ensure a robust and seamless data-driven experience for your organization.