TutorialKart.comCreating Informatica PowerCenter Repository Service in Administrator Console
Informatica PowerCenter Repository Service manages the PowerCenter repository, which stores metadata created and used by PowerCenter client tools. This metadata includes folders, mappings, mapplets, sessions, workflows, users, groups, privileges, sources, targets, and connection information. After Installing Informatica PowerCenter, one of the first administration tasks is to create and configure the PowerCenter Repository Service.
This tutorial explains how to create Informatica PowerCenter Repository Service from the Informatica Administrator console, configure database properties, create repository content, and change the repository operating mode from exclusive to normal.
What is a repository in Informatica PowerCenter?
A repository in Informatica PowerCenter is a database schema that stores PowerCenter metadata. The Repository Service connects to this database and makes the repository available to client tools such as Designer, Workflow Manager, Workflow Monitor, and Repository Manager.
The repository database is not used to store source business data or target business data. It stores Informatica objects and configuration metadata required to design, run, manage, and monitor PowerCenter workflows.
PowerCenter Repository Service prerequisites before creation
Before creating Informatica PowerCenter Repository Service, check the following items. Most repository creation errors happen because the database user, connection string, or repository content option is not correct.
- Informatica domain and node must be running.
- Informatica Administrator console must be accessible from the browser.
- A supported database must be available for the repository schema.
- A database user/schema must be created for the PowerCenter repository.
- The database user must have the required privileges to create and maintain repository tables.
- The correct database connection string, service name, or database name must be known.
- The Informatica license must be available in the domain.
How to login to Informatica Administrator console
Open Informatica PowerCenter 10.1.0 Administrator home page by navigating to Start Menu | All Programs | Informatica 10.1.0 | Server | Informatica Administrator home page.
Informatica Administrator login screen
After selecting Informatica Administrator home page, a login page will be displayed. Enter the administrator username and password to login to the Informatica domain.
After successful login, Informatica Administrator console will be opened. The left side of the screen displays the domain, services, and nodes. Repository Service and Integration Service administration tasks are performed from this console.
Create Informatica PowerCenter Repository Service from Services and Nodes
The database user must be created before creating Informatica Repository Service. To create Repository Service, navigate to Services and Nodes | Domain | Right Click on the Domain | Select New | PowerCenter Repository Service.
Step 1: Specify PowerCenter Repository Service properties
In this step, enter the basic properties of the Informatica PowerCenter Repository Service. These properties identify the service inside the Informatica domain and define where it runs.
- Name : Enter unique name for the Repository Service.
- Description : Enter description that describes about Repository service.
- Location : Default location will be selected.
- License : Select license from the drop down.
- Node : Select Node from the drop down list.
Use a clear service name, especially when the domain has multiple environments such as development, testing, and production. After entering the required details, click on Next.
Step 2: Specify database properties for new PowerCenter Repository Service
In this step, specify database properties such as database type, database username, password, and connection string. These details allow the Repository Service to connect to the repository database schema.
- Database type : Select Database from the drop down, here we using Oracle database.
- Username : Enter username to connect with the database.
- Password : Enter password.
- Connection string : Connection string is database name.
Click on Finish after entering the database details.
Note : Connection string is very important when creating Informatica Repository services, enter your Database instance name (database name). If invalid connected string is entered, then it the repository services will be failed to start and displays OBJM_54538 unable to connect to Repository on Database.
Repository creation option for new PowerCenter Repository Service
After entering service and database properties, select the correct repository creation option. This option tells Informatica whether it should create new repository tables or use existing repository content.
- Select no content exists under specifies connection string, create new content option.
- Select Enable version control, this enables to change the Operating mode from exclusive to Normal mode.
Repository Service in Informatica 10.1.0 is successfully created and listed under the domain tree. At this stage, the service is created, but repository content may still need to be created before users can connect and work with repository objects.
Database property checklist for Informatica Repository Service
| Repository setting | What to verify |
|---|---|
| Database type | Select the correct database platform used for the repository schema. |
| Database user | Use the dedicated schema or user created for the PowerCenter repository. |
| Password | Confirm that the password is correct and not expired. |
| Connection string | Use the correct database name, service name, or connect string required by the database client. |
| Repository content option | Select create new content only when the schema does not already contain repository content. |
Create Repository Content in Informatica 10.1.0
Repository content is the set of database tables and metadata objects that store PowerCenter repository information. After creating Informatica Repository Service, the next task is to create Repository Content. This is usually a one-time activity for a new repository schema.
- Navigate to Repository Service under domain | Actions | Repository contents | Create.
Now create repository content by selecting create as global repository (may not b reverted to local), Enable version control (a versioned repository cannot be unversioned).
- Click on Ok button.
Now repository content is successfully created. After content creation, verify that the Repository Service starts without database connection errors.
Change PowerCenter Repository Service from exclusive mode to normal mode
After creating Informatica PowerCenter Repository Content, check the operating mode in repository properties. If the repository service is in exclusive mode, regular users will not be able to connect to Informatica Repository Service from client tools. Exclusive mode is commonly used for administrative operations; normal mode is required for regular repository access.
- Go to Repository Properties and click on edit repository properties as shown below.
Change Operating mode from exclusive to normal and change security audit trail to yes and finally click on Ok button to save all settings.
How to connect to Informatica PowerCenter Repository Service
After the Repository Service is created, repository content is available, and operating mode is changed to normal, users can connect from Informatica PowerCenter client tools. The connection usually requires the domain name, gateway host, gateway port, repository name, username, and password.
- Open a PowerCenter client tool such as Repository Manager or Designer.
- Add or select the Informatica domain if it is not already configured.
- Select the repository name created in Administrator console.
- Enter a valid repository username and password.
- Connect to confirm that the Repository Service is running and accessible.
If users cannot connect, check whether the Repository Service is enabled, operating mode is normal, repository user permissions are correct, and the Informatica client can reach the domain gateway.
Troubleshooting Informatica Repository Service creation errors
If any error occurs when creating repository services in Informatica, check whether the database, connection string, and credentials are valid. After making changes to repository properties, recycle the service to make the changes effective.
| Issue | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Repository Service fails to start | Incorrect database connection string or unavailable database | Verify database name, service name, listener, host, port, and database availability. |
| OBJM_54538 unable to connect to Repository on Database | Repository Service cannot connect to the repository database | Check database credentials, connection string, schema status, and database client configuration. |
| Create content option fails | Insufficient database privileges or existing repository objects | Confirm schema privileges and verify whether repository tables already exist. |
| Users cannot login to repository | Repository is in exclusive mode or user permissions are missing | Change operating mode to normal and verify repository user privileges. |
| Changes are not reflected | Repository Service was not recycled after property changes | Recycle or restart the service after saving configuration updates. |
Repository Service and Integration Service difference in PowerCenter
PowerCenter Repository Service and PowerCenter Integration Service are different application services. The Repository Service manages repository metadata and allows client tools to connect to the repository. The Integration Service runs sessions and workflows that move data from sources to targets.
In a typical setup, create and configure the Repository Service first. After the repository is available, create the PowerCenter Integration Service and associate it with the repository so workflows can be executed.
Editorial QA checklist for PowerCenter Repository Service setup
- Confirm that the Informatica domain and node are running before creating the Repository Service.
- Verify that the repository database user/schema is created before entering service properties.
- Check that the database type and connection string match the actual repository database.
- Ensure that the repository creation option is correct for a new or existing repository schema.
- Confirm that repository content is created successfully before asking users to connect.
- Change operating mode from exclusive to normal for regular client access.
- Recycle the Repository Service after important property changes.
Conclusion on creating Informatica PowerCenter Repository Service
In this Informatica tutorial, we have learned how to create Informatica PowerCenter Repository Service, configure repository database properties, create Repository Content, and change the repository operating mode from exclusive to normal. In the next Informatica administration step, you can create and configure PowerCenter Integration Service to run sessions and workflows.
FAQs on Informatica PowerCenter Repository Service
How to create repository service in Informatica?
Login to Informatica Administrator console, go to Services and Nodes, right-click the domain, select New, and choose PowerCenter Repository Service. Enter service properties, database properties, repository creation option, and then create repository content.
What is a repository in Informatica PowerCenter?
A repository in Informatica PowerCenter is a database schema that stores metadata for PowerCenter objects such as mappings, sessions, workflows, folders, sources, targets, users, and permissions.
How to create Repository and Integration Service in Informatica?
Create the PowerCenter Repository Service first because it stores repository metadata. After the repository is created and running in normal mode, create the PowerCenter Integration Service and associate it with the repository so sessions and workflows can run.
How to connect to repository in Informatica PowerCenter?
Open a PowerCenter client tool such as Repository Manager or Designer, select the Informatica domain, choose the repository name, and login with a valid repository username and password. The Repository Service must be running in normal mode.
Why does Informatica Repository Service fail to start?
Repository Service can fail to start when the database is unavailable, the connection string is incorrect, credentials are invalid, repository content is missing, or database privileges are not sufficient. Check the service logs and database connection details first.