Troubleshooting: Database connectivity

You can encounter database connectivity issues when you are creating instances, applying maintenance, or running many WebSphere Commerce utilities. You can use the database connection validation utility to determine whether any configured database parameters that are required to establish a database connection are invalid.

The database connection validation utility logs and validates the system and database connections for a utility and includes the information within the log files for the utility. The validation utility completes the connection validation before the utility that is being run completes the actual database operations, such as data load operations or schema changes. If the validation utility encounters problems during a database process, the utility provides information to help you troubleshoot the problem, such as identifying whether a parameter or connection is invalid. If you encounter errors while you are creating instances, applying fix packs, enabling features, or running WebSphere Commerce utilities, review the validation results within the log file for the utility or process to identify any incorrect database parameters. If you encounter any incorrect parameters, edit the configuration files for the utility or process to specify the correct parameter.

Alternatively, you can run the validation utility before you attempt to create instances, apply fix packs, enable features, or run other WebSphere Commerce utilities. By running the utility first, you can validate whether a database connection can be established. To run the utility:
  1. In a command-line utility, go to the following directory:
    • LinuxAIXWC_installdir/bin
    • WindowsWC_installdir\bin
    • WebSphere Commerce DeveloperWCDE_installdir\bin
  2. Run the wcsDbValidation command:
    • LinuxAIXwcsDbValidation.sh -instanceName instance_name
    • WindowswcsDbValidation.bat -instanceName instance_name
    • WebSphere Commerce DeveloperwcsDbValidation.bat
The results of the connection validation test are included with the log file for the validation tool when the tool runs by itself. If the tool runs when during the process of another WebSphere Commerce utility or process, the results are included within the log file of the caller utility. The log file for the database connection validation tool can be found within the following directory:
  • LinuxAIXWC_installdir/instances/instance_name/logs
  • WindowsWC_installdir\instances\instance_name\logs
  • WebSphere Commerce DeveloperWCDE_installdir\logs

Updating the database connection settings

When you have connectivity issues, ensure that you configure or specify the correct database connection settings. You can update your database settings or change your database password if needed. For more information about these tasks and to learn which files include database connection settings, see:

Troubleshooting connectivity issues for specific database types

If your database is a DB2 or Oracle database, you can encounter connectivity issues that are specific to connecting to that database. For more information about troubleshooting connectivity issues for DB2 or Oracle databases, see: