Strategies with the Staging Area Different from the Target FAQS

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about File to Server Append in Oracle Data Integrator (ODI)

1. What is the default process for loading files in ODI?
• By default, ODI stages the source file on the target server. It uses an LKM to move the file into a loading table, then an IKM to transfer the data into the target table.
2. Can I load data directly from a file into the target table without staging?
• Yes, if no transformation is needed, you can use an IKM that directly loads the file data into the target table, bypassing the staging step.
3. What is an IKM (Integration Knowledge Module)?
• An IKM is a set of pre-configured steps in ODI that handles the integration of data from the staging area to the target table. In the case of loading a file, the IKM helps load the data efficiently from the source file to the target.
4. What is a Multi-Connection IKM?
• A Multi-Connection IKM is a type of IKM used to move data between a remote staging area (where the source file is located) and the target system. It allows ODI to load data without intermediate transformations.
5. How does ODI know which IKM to use?
• ODI automatically selects the appropriate IKM based on the configuration. If you set the staging area on the source file logical schema, ODI will recommend using a Multi-Connection IKM.
6. What is the purpose of the staging area in the loading process?
• The staging area is used as an intermediate location to temporarily hold the source data before it's moved to the target. However, when no transformations are needed, ODI allows for direct loading from the source file to the target, bypassing this step.
7. Can I skip using the LKM and directly load the data with an IKM?
• Yes, if no transformation is required, you can skip using the LKM for staging and directly load the data into the target with an appropriate IKM.
8. What is an example of an IKM used for file loading?
• An example is the IKM File to Teradata (TTU), which is designed to directly load data from a file into a Teradata database.
9. Do I need to configure any special settings to load data from a file directly?
• Yes, you need to set up the staging area on the source file logical schema in ODI to trigger the automatic suggestion for the correct IKM.
10. What are the steps involved when using an IKM for direct file loading?
• The steps are:
1. Configure the source file's logical schema and staging area.
2. ODI selects the appropriate Multi-Connection IKM.
3. Generate the load utility script.
4. Run the loader utility to load data into the target table.
11. Can the file being loaded be from any source?
• The file can be from any source that is accessible by ODI. It could be a flat file, CSV, or other formats depending on the supported file types by the IKM.
12. What happens if I need to transform the data during the load?
• If transformation is needed, you would use the default process involving an LKM to stage the data in a loading table, and then use an IKM to integrate it into the target after applying transformations.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Server to Server Append in Oracle Data Integrator (ODI)

1. What is the Server to Server Append process in ODI?
• The Server to Server Append process involves moving data from a staging area located in a different RDBMS (Remote Database Management System) to a target system. This is done using an IKM (Integration Knowledge Module) that transfers the transformed data from the staging area to the target.
2. What does an IKM do in the Server to Server Append process?
• The IKM moves data from the staging area to the target table. It handles the SQL operations needed to transfer the data, including the SELECT statement on the staging area and the INSERT statement on the target table.
3. What happens during the first step of the process (Delete or Truncate target table)?
• Before new data is inserted, the target table is cleared of existing data. This is done either by deleting or truncating all records in the target table. This step is typically controlled by a KM option, and it ensures the target table is prepared for the new data.
4. How is data inserted into the target table?
• After clearing the target table, the data is inserted using an INSERT statement. This statement is dynamically generated with bind variables and is executed for each batch of data.
5. What is an example of an IKM used for Server to Server Append?
• A typical example is the IKM SQL to SQL Append, which facilitates the appending of data from a staging area to the target database.
6. Can I use methods other than the agent to load data?
• Yes, instead of using the agent to move the data, you can use loaders or database-specific methods for optimized data transfer from the staging area to the target system.
7. When would I use Server to Server Append?
• Server to Server Append is used when the staging area is in a different database (RDBMS) than the target system, and you need to transfer transformed data to the target without involving a direct file-based load.
8. What is the advantage of using the IKM in this process?
• The IKM ensures efficient data movement by generating the correct SQL statements for data insertion, managing batch processing, and providing flexibility to use different methods (agent, loader, etc.) based on the requirements.
9. Can I bypass the truncation or deletion step?
• Yes, it is possible to configure the IKM or set KM options to skip truncating or deleting records in the target table, depending on the needs of the integration process.
10. How are bind variables used in the INSERT statement?
• Bind variables are placeholders in the INSERT statement. They allow ODI to dynamically generate and execute the SQL commands for each batch of data being inserted into the target table, ensuring flexibility and efficiency.
11. What is the role of the "Command on Source" and "Command on Target" tabs in the IKM?
• The Command on Source tab defines the SELECT statement to retrieve data from the staging area.
• The Command on Target tab defines the INSERT statement to load the data into the target table, utilizing bind variables to handle batch inserts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Server to File or JMS Append in Oracle Data Integrator (ODI)

1. What is the Server to File or JMS Append process in ODI?
• The Server to File or JMS Append process involves transferring data from a staging area to a target datastore, which could be a file (e.g., flat file) or a JMS (Java Message Service) queue/topic. This process uses a Multi-Connection IKM to move the transformed data from the staging area to the target.
2. What is a Multi-Connection IKM?
• A Multi-Connection IKM is a type of Integration Knowledge Module (IKM) that allows data to be transferred from a staging area to a target datastore (in this case, a file or JMS queue/topic). It handles the integration process, ensuring the transformed data reaches the appropriate destination.
3. What happens during the first step (Reset the target file or queue)?
• The target file or JMS queue/topic may be reset to ensure that no previous data conflicts with the new data being loaded. This step is typically controlled by an option in the Knowledge Module (KM), and it prepares the target for fresh data.
4. How is the data unloaded from the staging area to the target?
• The data is unloaded (transferred) from the staging area to the target (file or JMS queue/topic). The method for this transfer may vary depending on the target technology. For example, the agent or target-specific methods like using a Java API for JMS can be used.
5. What is the role of the agent in this process?
• The agent may be used to move data from the staging area to the target datastore. The agent manages the data transfer and ensures that the data is correctly appended to the target (file or JMS queue/topic).
6. Can I use a Java API for the transfer to a JMS queue?
• Yes, for transferring data to a JMS queue or topic, you can use Java API or other target-specific features instead of the agent, depending on the integration requirements and the target system.
7. When would I use Server to File or JMS Append?
• This method is used when the target system is either a file (flat file, CSV, etc.) or a JMS queue/topic, and you want to append or transfer the data directly from the staging area to the target.
8. What types of targets can be used in this process?
• The target can be a file (e.g., flat file, CSV file) or a JMS queue/topic, which is typically used for message-oriented middleware or messaging systems.
9. Do I need to configure anything specific for using the Multi-Connection IKM?
• Yes, you must configure the staging area and target datastore correctly. The IKM automatically handles the integration, but you need to ensure the staging area and target datastore are set up in ODI.
10. Can I bypass the reset step for the target file or queue?
• Yes, it is possible to configure the Knowledge Module (KM) to skip the reset step for the target file or JMS queue, depending on your needs. This is controlled by options in the IKM.
11. What are some common examples of IKMs for Server to File or JMS Append?
• Examples include:
• IKM File to File (for file-based data transfer).
• IKM JMS to JMS (for transferring data to/from JMS queues or topics).
12. What if I don’t want to use the agent for data transfer?
• If you prefer not to use the agent, you can configure the integration to use target-specific methods, like a Java API for data transfer to JMS queues or other custom integrations suited to the target system.