2
Starting Discoverer

This chapter explains how to start Discoverer, and contains the following topics:

• "What is a Discoverer connection?"

• "About starting Discoverer"

• "About starting Discoverer for the first time"

• "How to start Discoverer using an existing connection"

• "How to exit Discoverer"

• "Frequently asked questions"

What is a Discoverer connection?

A Discoverer connection stores login details that enable you to connect to Discoverer. Each connection stores the following information:

• database user name

• database password

• database name

• (optional) Oracle Applications responsibility

• language

• EUL

Discoverer login details are saved automatically when you create a connection. From then on, you can start Discoverer simply by clicking on a connection name in the Discoverer connections list that is displayed when you run Discoverer.

Hint: If you require login details to enable you to create your own Discoverer connections, contact the Discoverer manager.

About starting Discoverer

To start Discoverer, you can use any of the following methods:

Table 2-1 How to start Discoverer

To start Discoverer:	Use this method when:
use an existing pre-defined connection (known as a public connection) created by the Discoverer manager	the Discoverer manager has created login details for you so that you do not have to supply login details yourself
use an existing user-defined connection (known as a private connection) that you created yourself	you want to connect to Discoverer using login details that you saved previously
create a new user-defined connection (known as a private connection)	you want to connect to Discoverer using a new login

About starting Discoverer for the first time

Depending on which internet browser you are using and how your company's network server is configured:

• You might need to follow a one-time-only set up process when you start Discoverer for the first time. This process initializes the Discoverer program on your machine. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

• You might see a dialog about security. This security dialog appears when Discoverer requests extra permissions to access the Discoverer server or local devices (e.g. printers). If you do not want to see the dialog every time you connect, select the option "Always trust content from Oracle Corporation." Click Yes (or OK or Grant depending on browser) to continue starting Discoverer.

How to start Discoverer using an existing connection

When you start Discoverer, you can use one of the following:

• an existing connection created by the Discoverer manager

• a private connection that you created earlier

To start Discoverer using an existing connection:

1. Launch a Web browser.

2. Go to the Discoverer Web site address given to you by the Discoverer manager.

   Note: The Discoverer web site address might be:

   • the default web page that you access when you start a browser

   • a URL that you enter in the URL field in the browser

   • a link from a portal or other internet or intranet site that you are using

   The Connect to Discoverer Plus page is displayed (see figure below).

   
   
   Text description of the illustration cm_3.gif

   A list of the existing Discoverer connections is displayed in the Connection column.

3. Click the name of a connection name in the Connection column to start Discoverer.

   Hint: To confirm that you are using the correct login, click Show in the Details column to display more information about a login. To hide additional information, click Hide.

   Discoverer starts and displays the "Workbook Wizard: Create/Open Workbook dialog (Open)".

4. Follow the steps in the Workbook Wizard to either open a workbook or create a new workbook.

   You can now begin to analyze data using Discoverer's powerful analysis tools.

Notes:

• For information on how to create and save a private Discoverer connection, see "How do I create and save login information in a Discoverer connection".

How to exit Discoverer

When you have finished using Discoverer to analyze data, exit the application.

To exit Discoverer:

1. Choose File | Exit.

   If there are unsaved changes in one or more currently opened workbooks, a dialog prompts you to save or discard the changes.

   • Click Yes to save changes before closing Discoverer. Discoverer saves all changes that you have made since you last saved the workbook.

   • Click No to close Discoverer without saving changes. Discoverer saves none of the changes that you have made since you last saved the workbook.

Notes

• If you started Discoverer from an internet start page, the browser application is not closed.

• If you shut down the web browser that you used to start Discoverer during a Discoverer session, Discoverer will also exit.

Frequently asked questions

This section answers frequently asked questions about starting Discoverer, and contains the following topics:

• "What is the End User Layer (EUL)?"

• "What are database accounts?"

• "How do I create and save login information in a Discoverer connection"

• "How do I edit a Discoverer connection?"

• "How do I delete a Discoverer connection?"

• "What are public connections?"

• "What are user-defined connections?"

• "When and why do I need to change my password?"

• "When and why do I need to change my password?"

• "How do I change the password for a connection?"

• "How do I change the End User Layer for a Discoverer connection?"

• "What is Single Sign-on?"

• "What is the difference between Single Sign-on and Discoverer passwords?"

What is the End User Layer (EUL)?

The EUL is an intuitive, business-focused view of the database that uses terms that you are familiar with and can easily understand. The EUL insulates you from the complexity usually associated with databases. This enables you to focus on business issues instead of data access issues.

What are database accounts?

To use Discoverer, you need a database account that enables you to connect to Discoverer. You store database account details in a Discoverer connection along with EUL and language settings.

Note: If your organization uses Single Sign-on (a system for enabling users to log in once to access many different applications), you also need a Single Sign-on account. If you are not sure whether your organization uses Single Sign-on, contact the Discoverer manager. For more information, see "What is Single Sign-on?".

A database account comprises two pieces of information:

• A user name - a short name by which you are identified on the network. For example, jchan, or marketing.

• A password - a secret key that you used to authenticate your user name. An initial temporary password is created for you by the Discoverer manager. To keep your organization's data secure, do not tell another person what your password is, or write down your password so that other people can read it (for more information, see "When and why do I need to change my password?").

How do I create and save login information in a Discoverer connection

You create and save login information in a new private Discoverer connection when you want to start Discoverer using login details that you have not saved previously. You save login details in Discoverer connections.

To create and save login information in a Discoverer connection:

1. Launch a Web browser.

2. Go to the Discoverer Web site address given to you by the Discoverer manager.

   Note: The Discoverer web site address might be:

   • the default web page that you access when you start a browser

   • a URL that you enter in the URL field in the browser

   • a link from a portal or other internet or intranet site that you are using

   The Connect to Discoverer Plus page is displayed. A list of the existing Discoverer connections is displayed in the Connection column.

3. Click Create Connection to display the Create Connection: Connection Details page.

   
   
   Text description of the illustration cm_1.gif

4. Enter a connection name by which you want to identify the new connection into the Connection Name field.

   The connection name is displayed in the Connections column on the Connect to Discoverer Plus page.

5. (optional) Enter a description of the connection in the Connection Description field.

   For example, you might want to add the names of the workbooks that the connection will be used to access.

6. Select the language that you want to use from the Locale drop down list.

7. Specify the user name, password, and database details for the connection that you want to create.

   Hint: If you are not sure what user name, password, and database details to enter, contact the Discoverer manager.

8. Choose the type of user you want to connect as:
   • to create a non-Oracle Applications Discoverer connection, clear the Oracle Applications User check box

     Hint: The Oracle Applications User check box might be cleared by default.

   • to create an Oracle Applications Discoverer connection, select the Oracle Applications User check box

9. Click Apply to save the details entered.

10. If you selected Oracle Applications as the Login Method, the Select Oracle Applications Responsibility page is displayed. Do the following:
    1. Select a responsibility from the Oracle Applications drop down list.

    2. Click Apply to save the details that you specified.

11. If the user name has access to more than one End User Layer, the Create Connection: End User Layer page is displayed. Do the following:
    1. Select an End User Layer from the End User Layer drop down list.

    2. Click Apply to save the details that you specified.

    The Connect to Discoverer Plus page is displayed. The new connection that you have created is included in the list of connections.

    To connect to Discoverer using the connection that you have created, click the new connection name in the Connection list.

How do I edit a Discoverer connection?

You edit a Discoverer connection when you want to change the login details stored in that connection. For example, you might want to change the user name that you use to connect to Discoverer.

To edit a Discoverer connection:

1. Launch a Web browser.

2. Go to the Discoverer Web site address given to you by the Discoverer manager.

   Note: The Discoverer web site address might be:

   • the default web page that you access when you start a browser

   • a URL that you enter in the URL field in the browser

   • a link from a portal or other internet or intranet site that you are using

   The Connect to Discoverer Plus page is displayed. A list of the existing Discoverer connections is displayed in the Connection column.

3. Click the pencil icon in the Update column next to the name of the connection that you want to edit.

   Hint: To confirm that you are using the correct connection, click Show in the Details column to display more information about a connection. To hide additional information, click Hide.

   The Edit Connection page is displayed.

4. Change the connection details as required.

5. Click Continue.

6. If the user name has access to more than one End User Layer, the Create Connection: End User Layer page is displayed. Do the following:
   1. Select an End User Layer from the End User Layer drop down list.

   2. Click Apply to save the details that you specified.

7. Click Finish to save the details and return to the Connect to Discoverer Plus page.

   You can now use the updated connection to start Discoverer.

Notes:

• You can only edit private connections that you have created yourself. You cannot edit public connections created by the Discoverer manager.

How do I delete a Discoverer connection?

You delete a Discoverer connection when you want to remove login details permanently. For example, you might want to delete a temporary connection that you no longer need.

To delete a Discoverer connection:

1. Launch a Web browser.

2. Go to the Discoverer Web site address given to you by the Discoverer manager.

   Note: The Discoverer web site address might be:

   • the default web page that you access when you start a browser

   • a URL that you enter in the URL field in the browser

   • a link from a portal or other internet or intranet site that you are using

   The Connect to Discoverer Plus page is displayed. A list of the existing Discoverer connections is displayed in the Connection column.

3. Click the trash can icon in the Delete column next to the name of the connection that you want to delete to display the Confirmation dialog.

   Hint: To confirm that you are using the correct connection, click Show in the Details column to display more information about a connection. To hide additional information, click Hide.

4. Click Yes to delete connection and return to the Connect to Discoverer Plus page.

Notes:

• You can only delete private connections that you have created yourself. You cannot delete public connections created by the Discoverer manager.

What are public connections?

Public connections are Discoverer logins created by the Discoverer manager. Public connections enable you to start Discoverer and access workbooks without having to create your own connections.

You cannot edit or delete public connections. Only the Discoverer manager can create, edit, and delete public connections.

What are user-defined connections?

User-defined connections (also known as private connections) are Discoverer logins that you create yourself. You can edit and delete private connections. Only you can access, edit, and delete the private connections that you create.

When and why do I need to change my password?

Typically you will have to change your password periodically to maintain data security.

Your system manager specifies how long you can keep the same password before it expires. In other words, how long you can keep the password before you have to change it.

You will know your password has expired if you start Discoverer and are prompted to enter a new password. When you connect to Discoverer, you might be warned that your password will expire in a specified number of days. If you do not change the password in this period, you are prompted to enter a new password when the password expires.

It is also important to change your password if you think that someone else has found out what the password is.

How do I change the password for a connection?

You change the password for a connection when a password:

• has expired

• is about to expire

• has become known by another user

1. Launch a Web browser.

2. Go to the Discoverer Web site address given to you by the Discoverer manager.

   Note: The Discoverer web site address might be:

   • the default web page that you access when you start a browser

   • a URL that you enter in the URL field in the browser

   • a link from a portal or other internet or intranet site that you are using

   The Connect to Discoverer Plus page is displayed. A list of the existing Discoverer connections is displayed in the Connection column.

3. Click the Update icon next to the connection for which you want to change the password.

4. Click Change Database Password.

5. In the Password field, enter the current database password for the current user name.

6. In the New Password field, enter a new database password for the current user name.

7. In the Verify Password field, re-enter the new database password for the current user name.

8. Click Finish.

   The Connect to Discoverer Plus page is displayed. You can now use the connection to start Discoverer.

Notes:

• If any of the password details that you entered were invalid, an error message is displayed with advice on which value to change.

How do I change the End User Layer for a Discoverer connection?

You change the End User Layer (EUL) for a Discoverer connection when you want the connection to start Discoverer using a different EUL (for more information, see "What is the End User Layer (EUL)?").

To change the EUL for a Discoverer connection:

1. Launch a Web browser.

2. Go to the Discoverer Web site address given to you by the Discoverer manager.

   Note: The Discoverer web site address might be:

   • the default web page that you access when you start a browser

   • a URL that you enter in the URL field in the browser

   • a link from a portal or other internet or intranet site that you are using

   The Connect to Discoverer Plus page is displayed. A list of the existing Discoverer connections is displayed in the Connection column.

3. Click the Update icon next to the connection for which you want to change the End User Layer.

4. In the Password field, enter a valid password for the Discoverer connection.

5. Click Continue.

6. If the user name for the current Discoverer connection has access to more than one End User Layer, the Select End User Layer for Discoverer Connection page is displayed. Do the following:
   1. Select an End User Layer from the End User Layer drop down list.

   2. Click Finish.

   The Connect to Discoverer Plus page is displayed. You can now use the connection to start Discoverer.

Notes:

• If the user name does not have access to more than one End User Layer, you cannot change the default End User Layer.

• If the password that you entered was invalid, an error message is displayed with advice on which value to change.

What is Single Sign-on?

Single sign-on is a mechanism to enable you to use the same user name and password to start several different applications.

What is the difference between Single Sign-on and Discoverer passwords?

If your organization uses Single Sign-on, your Discoverer password is separate to your Single Sign-on password:

• your Single Sign-on password authenticates your Single Sign-on user name

• your database password authenticates your database user name

• with a single Sign-on connection, you can connect using many different Discoverer connections