Database Administration Guide

Introduction to Database Administration for WebLogic Portal

This document helps you set up and start using a database management system (DBMS) with your WebLogic Platform 8.1 system.

By default, you can run the code samples provided with WebLogic Platform with the PointBase DBMS. PointBase is a pure-Java relational database management system that BEA includes with WebLogic Platform to allow you to run code samples. It is supported only for the design, development, and verification of applications; it is not supported for production server deployment.

Using PointBase

PointBase is the default database that BEA provides. It is used for the BEA sample domains, and it is the default database used when you create a domain with the Configuration Wizard.

PointBase runs on its own server that must be running for your applications to access it. When you start WebLogic Portal server to run your applications, the PointBase server starts automatically.

PointBase Documentation

PointBase documentation, for the version of PointBase currently supported by WebLogic Server, is distributed with WebLogic Server in PDF form in the WL_HOME\common\eval\pointbase\docs directory. The PointBase documentation consists of the following three manuals.

PointBase Console Guide
PointBase System Guide
PointBase Developer's Guide

PointBase JAR Files

Refer to the section titled "PointBase JAR Files" in the PointBase System Guide for information on the JAR files provided with WebLogic Server in the WL_HOME\common\eval\pointbase\lib directory.

PointBase Tools

Scripts for starting the PointBase server and the PointBase console are distributed with WebLogic Server in the WL_HOME\common\eval\pointbase\tools directory. Scripts are called by start scripts in the sample domains and start scripts contained in any domain created by the Configuration Wizard. These PointBase start scripts simplify starting the PointBase Server and Console within WebLogic domains.

WebLogic Portal PointBase Databases

PointBase stores all data in .dbn files and all log information in .wal files. Database properties are stored in PointBase.ini files. Data files for WebLogic Portal are named workshop.dbn and log files for WebLogic Portal are named workshop$1.wal. Pre-built PointBase data, log and PointBase.ini files for WebLogic Portal samples are included in the following directory:

WL_HOME\samples\domains\portal

By default domains created via the Configuration Wizard with the Basic WebLogic Portal Domain template would create PointBase data and log files in the following directory:

BEA_HOME\user_projects\portalDomain

Administering the WebLogic Portal PointBase Database

You can administer the default database installed with WebLogic Portal using the PointBase administrative console, or any third party database visualization and management tool that can connect via JDBC.

The PointBase Console can be launched either from the Windows Start Menu or by executing the startPointBaseConsole.cmd/.sh script located in the domain directory.

Prior to launching the PointBase Console ensure that WebLogic Server for the domain is running. You will not be able to use the PointBase Console unless WebLogic Server is running.

To Launch PointBase Console from the Windows Start menu

Go to Start > Programs > BEA WebLogic Platform 8.1 > Examples > WebLogic Portal > PointBase Console.

To launch the PointBase Console for the Portal Examples, or, if you added Start menu options for a domain created by the Configuration Wizard, navigate to that domain's PointBase Console menu option.

To Launch PointBase Console from the startPointBaseConsole script

Change directories to WL_HOME\samples\domains\portal.

Execute the appropriate start script — startPointBaseConsole.cmd or startPointBaseConsole.sh — to launch the PointBase Console for the Portal Examples. For a domain created by the Configuration Wizard navigate to that domain's home directory and execute the startPointBaseConsole.cmd/.sh script.

When the PointBase Console starts, it prompts you to enter connection parameters to properly connect to the database. Enter the following connection information, which is also what you will need if you use a third-party product to access the PointBase database:

Driver: com.pointbase.jdbc.jdbcUniversalDriver
URL: jdbc:pointbase:server://localhost:9093/workshop
User: weblogic
Password: weblogic

Using a Database Other Than PointBase with WebLogic Portal

Use the Supported Configurations document to determine what databases and JDBC drivers are supported. Refer to the following chapters for instructions on the following tasks:

Configure the database.

Note: After the database is configured, you can use the Configuration Wizard to create and load appropriate database objects and set JDBC driver settings at domain creation time.

See "WebLogic Platform - Creating WebLogic Configurations Using the Configuration Wizard" for details.

Create database objects.

Configure your domain's JDBC driver settings.