# Configuring a Data Source

When you create a Database control, you associate the control with a database by specifying a data source for the control's data-source-jndi-name property. The data source is defined by WebLogic Server, along with the connection pool that manages the connection to the database. To set up a new data source in WebLogic Server, you can use the WebLogic Server console, or you can use the Data Source Viewer that is part of WebLogic Workhop.

This topic describes how to configure a data source using the Data Source Viewer. For information on using the WebLogic Server console, see How Do I: Connect a Database Control to a Database Such as SQL Server or Oracle?

To manage connection pools and data sources with the Data Source Viewer:

1. To display the Data Source Viewer, start WebLogic Server, and choose Tools-->WebLogic Server-->DataSource Viewer.
2. Select a data source from the navigation tree on the left. You can examine its properties or delete it by clicking the Drop Data Source button.
3. Select a connection pool from the navigation tree on the left. You can examine its properties or delete it by clicking the Drop Pool button.

To create a new data source:

1. In the Data Source Viewer, click the New Data Source button.
2. Enter a unique name for the new data source.
3. Select the connection pool to use from the Pool drop-down list.

To create a new connection pool:

1. In the Data Source Viewer, click the New Data Source button.
2. From the Pool drop-down list, select <Create New Pool>.
3. Specify properties for the new connection pool, as follows:
   - Pool Name: A unique name that will be the JNDI name for this connection pool.
   - Driver: The driver to use for the database you are connecting to.
   - URL: The URL that identifies the database to connect to.
   - User: The user name.
   - Password: The user password.
   - Properties: Any custom properties to specify for the connection.

## Related Topics

How Do I: Connect a Database Control to a Database Such as SQL Server or Oracle?