A data source is necessary to create models in Framework Manager, the IBM Cognos 8 modeling tool, and run reports or analyses from IBM Cognos 8.
IBM Cognos 8 supports the following types of data sources:
A data source defines the physical connection to a database.
The data source connection 
specifies the parameters needed to connect
to the database, such as the location of the database and the timeout
duration. A connection can include credential information and signons .
You can also add new connections to data source and modify existing
connections .
You can make more than one data source connection available by combining them, along with other elements, in packages created and published using Framework Manager.
When more than one data source is available in a package, users are prompted to select a data source connection and a signon when they run a report. For information about creating and publishing packages, see the Framework Manager User Guide.
You can secure data sources using IBM Cognos 8 security.
IBM Cognos 8 also respects any security that is defined
within the data source .
You move data sources from one environment to another environment
by deploying the entire content store .
