Using 64-Bit ODBC Compliant Applications with 32-Bit ODBC Data Sources

[hwilliams]

64-bit applications that use ODBC for database connectivity often require access to backend database management systems (DBMS) for which only an existing 32-bit ODBC data source is available.

This post walks you through a solution to this problem using the OpenLink Multi-Tier ODBC-ODBC Bridge drivers, which offer high-performing and enterprise-ready solutions for connectivity across 32- and 64-bit ODBC data sources, where the client application may be 32- or 64-bit.

How?

Software Download Process

• Download the Windows 64bit Generic Client and 32bit ODBC Agent, ensuring that the Server Operating System is for Windows 32-bit and the Client Operating System is for Windows 64-bit:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Below is the list of installer components that need to be downloaded:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• An evaluation license also needs to be generated and downloaded for testing:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• At the end of the process the following files should have been downloaded:
  • wao3zzzz.msi - 64bit Generic ODBC Client Installer
  • ntbrzzzz.msi - 32-bit OpenLink Request Broker
  • ntaozzzz.msi - 32-bit ODBC Bridge Agent
  • oplrqb.lic - OpenLink Request Broker License
  • odbc.lic - ODBC Bridge Database Agent License

Installation & Configuration

• Run all 3 msi installers on the target Windows machine to install the required OpenLink Multi-Tier ODBC-ODBC Bridge components.
• After installation place the two license files in the C:\Program Files(x86)\OpenLink Software\UDA\bin directory.
• Open the 64-bit ODBC Administrator and select the Add button on the right for the DSN type User or System to be created:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• In the list of available drivers select the OpenLink Generic ODBC Driver (Unicode)[7.0] driver:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• In the Name text window enter the name to give the 64bit ODBC DSN, and in the Server text window enter localhost:5000 and click Next:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Set the Domain to Odbc, the Name to the name of the 32bit ODBC DSN (we use a MySQL 32-bit DSN mysqlnu-32 in this example) to be bridged to and enter the Login ID and Password for the DSN if required. Note the 32bit ODBC DSN must be a SYSTEM DSN and cannot be a USER DSN for security reasons. Check or uncheck the Connect now to verify that all settings are correct to verify the connection to the target database is possible at this step. Click Next to continue :
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• If the connection is successfully verified press the Next button repeatedly until the final dialog with the DSN details is displayed, and click on the Test Data Source button to make a final test connection:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• The TESTS COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY! message is displayed if connection was successful:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Testing

• From the OpenLink Software Windows menu item entry, select the ODBC C++ Demo x64 samples application to make a test connection and query the database:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Select the Environment -> Open Connection menu item:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Select the 64-bit ODBC DSN created previously:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Enter the Login ID and Password for the database if required:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• On successful connection the ODBC DSN name is displayed in the application Title, select the SQL -> Execute SQL menu item present dialog for executing query:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Enter the query to be run and click the OK button to execute it:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• The results of executing the query are displayed:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The 64-bit to 32-bit bridge connection is now ready for use by any 64-bit ODBC application of choice.

Related

• OpenLink Multi-Tier ODBC-ODBC Bridge
• OpenLink Multi-Tier Windows 64bit Generic Client and 32bit ODBC Agent Download
• Pre-Installation Requirements for the Multi-Tier “Enterprise” Edition Request Broker and Database Agent(s) for ODBC Drivers and Data Sources, for Windows
• Installation and Configuration of the Multi-Tier “Enterprise” Edition Generic Client ODBC Drivers, on Windows
• Installation and Configuration of Multi-Tier “Enterprise” Edition Request Broker and Database Agent(s) for All Data Sources, for Windows
• Multi-Tier Installation & Configuration Docs for Windows