To create a configuration file for your connector, you can start with a previously created connector configuration file (*.cfg), a connector definition file (*.txt) or a repository file (*.in or *.out), if any of these already exists for your connector. For instructions on using such existing files, see Using an existing file.
If none of those files exist, or if they are too dissimilar to the configuration requirements of your connector, you can start instead by creating a template for the connector-specific properties of your connector. You'll create properties in the template, define general characteristics and values for those properties, and specify any dependencies between the properties. Then you'll save the template and use it as the base for creating a new connector configuration file.
To create a template:
Enter a unique name that identifies the connector, or type of connector, for which this template will be used. You will see this name again when you open the dialog for creating a new configuration file from a template.
The names of all currently available templates are displayed in the Template Name display. Look for an existing template that would make a good starting point for your new connector template (such as a template whose property definitions are a subset of the properties used by your connector).
To see the connector-specific property definitions that are contained in any template, select that template's name in the Template Name display. A list of the property definitions contained in that template will appear in the Template Preview display.
If you do not see any template that displays the connector-specific properties that are used by your connector, you will need to create one. Connector Configurator provides a template named None, containing no property definitions, as a default choice.
Choose a template from the Template Name display, enter that template name in the Find Name field (or highlight your choice in Template Name), and choose Next.
The Properties - Connector-Specific Property Template dialog appears. The dialog has tabs for General characteristics of the defined properties and for Value restrictions. The General display has the following fields:
Use the buttons provided (or right-click within the Edit properties display) to add a new property to the template, to edit or delete an existing property, or to add a child property to an existing property.
A child property is a property that is an attribute of another property--the "parent" property. The parent property can obtain values, or child properties, or both. These property relationships are commonly referred to as "hierarchical" properties. Later, when you create a configuration file from these properties, Connector Configurator will identify hierarchical property sets with a plus sign in a box at the left of any parent property.
Choose one of these property types: Boolean, String, Integer, or Time.
You can set Standard Flags (IsRequired, IsDepracated, IsOverridden) or Custom Flags (for Boolean operators) to apply to this property
After you have made selections for the general characteristics of the property, choose the Value tab.
The Value tab enables you to set the maximum length, the maximum multiple values, a default value, or a value range for the property. To do so:
The Value column shows the value that you entered in the Property Value dialog, and any previous values that you created.
The Default Value column allows you to designate any of the values as the default.
The Value Range shows the range that you entered in the Property Value dialog.
After a value has been created and appears in the grid, it can be edited from within the table display. To make a change in an existing value in the table, select an entire row by clicking on the row number. Then right-click in the Value field and choose EditValue.
After you have finished making changes in both the General and the Value tabs, choose Next. The Dependencies dialog appears.
A dependent property is a property that is included in the template and used in the configuration file only if the value of another property meets a specific condition. To designate a property as being dependent and set the condition upon which it depends, do this:
== (equal to)
/= (not equal to)
> (greater than)
< (less than)
>= (greater than or equal to)
<=(less than or equal to)
After a connector-specific template has been created, you can use it to create a configuration file:
Enter the name of the connector. Names are case-sensitive. The name you enter must be unique, must end with the word "connector", and must be consistent with the file name for a connector that is installed on the system; for example, enter PeopleSoftConnector if the connector file name is PeopleSoft.jar.
Choose ICS or choose WMQI (for WebSphere MQ Integrator Broker) connectivity.
Type the name of the template that has been designed for your connector. The names of all available templates are displayed in the Template Name display. When you select a name in the Template Name display, the Property Template Preview display shows the connector-specific properties that have been defined in that template.
After you have chosen the template you want to use, choose OK.
When you are using the configuration screen, you can, if you wish, add additional connector-specific properties, as described under Setting application-configuration properties (ICS). Any such additions become part of the configuration file that you are creating, but do not affect the template that you used in creating the file.