29
Fri, Nov
0 New Articles

TechTip: SSIS Toolbox - Configurations and Parameters plus Converting a Project

Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

Once you know the SSI Toolbox, it is time for configurations and parameters, and to convert a project.

Editor’s Note: This article is excerpted from chapter 3 of Extract, Transform, and Load with SQL Server Integration Services--with Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, and IBM DB2, by Thomas Snyder and Vedish Shah.

Configurations and Parameters

Depending on the type of deployment model you choose, you can use either configuration files or parameters. The legacy model lets you create configuration files that are separate from your packages, whereas the default model lets you create parameters, project- or package-level, which are part of the entire project.

If you opt for the legacy model, you can simply right-click on the control flow window and select Package Configurations. Enable the configurations, name your file and location, pick your desired properties to use, name your config file, review the changes, and voilà: you have a config file! Config files are designated with a .dtsConfig extension. Any package, across any projects and across any solution, can share the same config file. However, the config file needs to be referenced first before it is accessed.

If you opt for the default model, you can create parameters, which are like configuration files but are located within the project or package. You can create parameters at two levels: package and project. Project parameters are created by double-clicking the project.params folder under the project name in the Solution Explorer. Package parameters are created by accessing the package’s Parameters view. Parameters in the package are only accessible to the package itself and no other packages. Parameters in the project are global and accessible by every package in the project.

Converting a Project

As we mentioned at the beginning of the chapter, the default model of a SSIS solution is the project deployment model. To convert it to the legacy package deployment model, right-click the project name and then click Convert to Package Deployment Model, as shown in Figure X.

TechTip: SSIS Toolbox - Configurations and Parameters plus Converting a Project - Figure 1

Figure 1: Converting a project to the package deployment model

Once your project has been converted to the package deployment model, assuming there are no errors, you will be able to see the model type next to your project name, as shown in Figure xx.

TechTip: SSIS Toolbox - Configurations and Parameters plus Converting a Project - Figure 2

Figure 2: A converted project

TechTip: SSIS Toolbox - Configurations and Parameters plus Converting a Project - Note

So, what does it take to convert your legacy project to a project deployment model? Well, doing so is very simple: you can just open your legacy solution using SSDT, and it will detect the discrepancies compared to the default model type and provide upgrade options. When you are converting a project to this model, you are technically taking all the packages and configuration files from the legacy model and putting them in an .ispac file: the deployment utility of the project deployment model. If your project was already built as a package deployment model within SSDT, then right-click the project name and click Convert to Project Deployment Model. The Integration Services Project Conversion Wizard will be displayed, as shown in Figure 3.

TechTip: SSIS Toolbox - Configurations and Parameters plus Converting a Project - Figure 3 

Figure 3: Converting to the project deployment model using Conversion Wizard

One important thing to note here is the verbiage on the first screen of the wizard. Since the conversion wizard was accessed from within SSDT, it will use the same project folders and overwrite the existing contents in that folder—thus, the warning to back up any important files before conversion. The Conversion Wizard, once you step through it, will also provide an option to convert any configuration files used into project parameters, as shown in Figure 4.

TechTip: SSIS Toolbox - Configurations and Parameters plus Converting a Project - Figure 4

Figure 4: Project parameters

You can also access the Conversion Wizard directly from Windows Explorer for your desired SQL Server version: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\130\DTS\Binn\ ISProjectWizard.exe.

The only difference is the way the Conversion Wizard handles the conversion (Figure 5).

TechTip: SSIS Toolbox - Configurations and Parameters plus Converting a Project - Figure 5 

Figure 5: Conversion Wizard, directly accessed

Next time:  Database Setup.  Can't wait?  Pick up your copy of Tom's book, Extract, Transform, and Load with SQL Server Integration Services at the MC Press Bookstore Today!

Thomas Snyder

Thomas Snyder has a diverse spectrum of programming experience encompassing IBM technologies, open source, Apple, and Microsoft and using these technologies with applications on the server, on the web, or on mobile devices.

Tom has more than 20 years' experience as a software developer in various environments, primarily in RPG, Java, C#, and PHP. He holds certifications in Java from Sun and PHP from Zend. Prior to software development, Tom worked as a hardware engineer at Intel. He is a proud United States Naval Veteran Submariner who served aboard the USS Whale SSN638 submarine.

Tom is the bestselling author of Advanced, Integrated RPG, which covers the latest programming techniques for RPG ILE and Java to use open-source technologies. His latest book, co-written with Vedish Shah, is Extract, Transform, and Load with SQL Server Integration Services.

Originally from and currently residing in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Tom is currently involved in a mobile application startup company, JoltRabbit LLC.


MC Press books written by Thomas Snyder available now on the MC Press Bookstore.

Advanced, Integrated RPG Advanced, Integrated RPG
See how to take advantage of the latest technologies from within existing RPG applications.
List Price $79.95

Now On Sale

Extract, Transform, and Load with SQL Server Integration Services Extract, Transform, and Load with SQL Server Integration Services
Learn how to implement Microsoft’s SQL Server Integration Services for business applications.
List Price $79.95

Now On Sale

BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS

LATEST COMMENTS

Support MC Press Online

$

Book Reviews

Resource Center

  • SB Profound WC 5536 Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application. You can find Part 1 here. In Part 2 of our free Node.js Webinar Series, Brian May teaches you the different tooling options available for writing code, debugging, and using Git for version control. Brian will briefly discuss the different tools available, and demonstrate his preferred setup for Node development on IBM i or any platform. Attend this webinar to learn:

  • SB Profound WP 5539More than ever, there is a demand for IT to deliver innovation. Your IBM i has been an essential part of your business operations for years. However, your organization may struggle to maintain the current system and implement new projects. The thousands of customers we've worked with and surveyed state that expectations regarding the digital footprint and vision of the company are not aligned with the current IT environment.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT Generic IBM announced the E1080 servers using the latest Power10 processor in September 2021. The most powerful processor from IBM to date, Power10 is designed to handle the demands of doing business in today’s high-tech atmosphere, including running cloud applications, supporting big data, and managing AI workloads. But what does Power10 mean for your data center? In this recorded webinar, IBMers Dan Sundt and Dylan Boday join IBM Power Champion Tom Huntington for a discussion on why Power10 technology is the right strategic investment if you run IBM i, AIX, or Linux. In this action-packed hour, Tom will share trends from the IBM i and AIX user communities while Dan and Dylan dive into the tech specs for key hardware, including:

  • Magic MarkTRY the one package that solves all your document design and printing challenges on all your platforms. Produce bar code labels, electronic forms, ad hoc reports, and RFID tags – without programming! MarkMagic is the only document design and print solution that combines report writing, WYSIWYG label and forms design, and conditional printing in one integrated product. Make sure your data survives when catastrophe hits. Request your trial now!  Request Now.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericForms of ransomware has been around for over 30 years, and with more and more organizations suffering attacks each year, it continues to endure. What has made ransomware such a durable threat and what is the best way to combat it? In order to prevent ransomware, organizations must first understand how it works.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericIT security is a top priority for businesses around the world, but most IBM i pros don’t know where to begin—and most cybersecurity experts don’t know IBM i. In this session, Robin Tatam explores the business impact of lax IBM i security, the top vulnerabilities putting IBM i at risk, and the steps you can take to protect your organization. If you’re looking to avoid unexpected downtime or corrupted data, you don’t want to miss this session.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericCan you trust all of your users all of the time? A typical end user receives 16 malicious emails each month, but only 17 percent of these phishing campaigns are reported to IT. Once an attack is underway, most organizations won’t discover the breach until six months later. A staggering amount of damage can occur in that time. Despite these risks, 93 percent of organizations are leaving their IBM i systems vulnerable to cybercrime. In this on-demand webinar, IBM i security experts Robin Tatam and Sandi Moore will reveal:

  • FORTRA Disaster protection is vital to every business. Yet, it often consists of patched together procedures that are prone to error. From automatic backups to data encryption to media management, Robot automates the routine (yet often complex) tasks of iSeries backup and recovery, saving you time and money and making the process safer and more reliable. Automate your backups with the Robot Backup and Recovery Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAManaging messages on your IBM i can be more than a full-time job if you have to do it manually. Messages need a response and resources must be monitored—often over multiple systems and across platforms. How can you be sure you won’t miss important system events? Automate your message center with the Robot Message Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAThe thought of printing, distributing, and storing iSeries reports manually may reduce you to tears. Paper and labor costs associated with report generation can spiral out of control. Mountains of paper threaten to swamp your files. Robot automates report bursting, distribution, bundling, and archiving, and offers secure, selective online report viewing. Manage your reports with the Robot Report Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAFor over 30 years, Robot has been a leader in systems management for IBM i. With batch job creation and scheduling at its core, the Robot Job Scheduling Solution reduces the opportunity for human error and helps you maintain service levels, automating even the biggest, most complex runbooks. Manage your job schedule with the Robot Job Scheduling Solution. Key features include:

  • LANSA Business users want new applications now. Market and regulatory pressures require faster application updates and delivery into production. Your IBM i developers may be approaching retirement, and you see no sure way to fill their positions with experienced developers. In addition, you may be caught between maintaining your existing applications and the uncertainty of moving to something new.

  • LANSAWhen it comes to creating your business applications, there are hundreds of coding platforms and programming languages to choose from. These options range from very complex traditional programming languages to Low-Code platforms where sometimes no traditional coding experience is needed. Download our whitepaper, The Power of Writing Code in a Low-Code Solution, and:

  • LANSASupply Chain is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. From raw materials for manufacturing to food supply chains, the journey from source to production to delivery to consumers is marred with inefficiencies, manual processes, shortages, recalls, counterfeits, and scandals. In this webinar, we discuss how:

  • The MC Resource Centers bring you the widest selection of white papers, trial software, and on-demand webcasts for you to choose from. >> Review the list of White Papers, Trial Software or On-Demand Webcast at the MC Press Resource Center. >> Add the items to yru Cart and complet he checkout process and submit

  • Profound Logic Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application.

  • SB Profound WC 5536Join us for this hour-long webcast that will explore:

  • Fortra IT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators with intimate knowledge of the operating system and the applications that run on it is small. This begs the question: How will you manage the platform that supports such a big part of your business? This guide offers strategies and software suggestions to help you plan IT staffing and resources and smooth the transition after your AS/400 talent retires. Read on to learn: