PowerCenter

Beginner’s Tutorial
Informatica PowerCenter 8.6
CHAPTER 1

Product Overview
This chapter includes the following topics:
♦ Introduction, 1
♦ PowerCenter Domain, 4
♦ PowerCenter Repository, 5
♦ Administration Console, 6
♦ Domain Configuration, 7
♦ PowerCenter Client, 8
♦ Repository Service, 13
♦ Integration Service, 14
♦ Web Services Hub, 14
♦ Data Analyzer, 14
♦ Metadata Manager, 15
♦ Reference Table Manager, 16

Introduction
PowerCenter provides an environment that allows you to load data into a centralized location, such as a data
warehouse or operational data store (ODS). You can extract data from multiple sources, transform the data
according to business logic you build in the client application, and load the transformed data into file and
relational targets.
PowerCenter also provides the ability to view and analyze business information and browse and analyze
metadata from disparate metadata repositories.
PowerCenter includes the following components:
♦ PowerCenter domain. The Power Center domain is the primary unit for management and administration
within PowerCenter. The Service Manager runs on a PowerCenter domain. The Service Manager supports
the domain and the application services. Application services represent server-based functionality and
include the Repository Service, Integration Service, Web Services Hub, and SAP BW Service. For more
information, see “PowerCenter Domain” on page 4.
♦ PowerCenter repository. The PowerCenter repository resides in a relational database. The repository
database tables contain the instructions required to extract, transform, and load data. For more information,
see “PowerCenter Repository” on page 5.

1
 ♦ Administration Console. The Administration Console is a web application that you use to administer the
PowerCenter domain and PowerCenter security. For more information, see “Administration Console” on
page 6.
♦ Domain configuration. The domain configuration is a set of relational database tables that stores the
configuration information for the domain. The Service Manager on the master gateway node manages the
domain configuration. The domain configuration is accessible to all gateway nodes in the domain. For more
information, see “Domain Configuration” on page 7.
♦ PowerCenter Client. The PowerCenter Client is an application used to define sources and targets, build
mappings and mapplets with the transformation logic, and create workflows to run the mapping logic. The
PowerCenter Client connects to the repository through the Repository Service to modify repository
metadata. It connects to the Integration Service to start workflows. For more information, see “PowerCenter
Client” on page 8.
♦ Repository Service. The Repository Service accepts requests from the PowerCenter Client to create and
modify repository metadata and accepts requests from the Integration Service for metadata when a workflow
runs. For more information, see “Repository Service” on page 13.
♦ Integration Service. The Integration Service extracts data from sources and loads data to targets. For more
information, see “Integration Service” on page 14.
♦ Web Services Hub. Web Services Hub is a gateway that exposes PowerCenter functionality to external
clients through web services. For more information, see “Web Services Hub” on page 14.
♦ SAP BW Service. The SAP BW Service extracts data from and loads data to SAP NetWeaver BI. If you use
PowerExchange for SAP NetWeaver BI, you must create and enable an SAP BW Service in the PowerCenter
domain. For more information, see the PowerCenter Administrator Guide and the PowerExchange for SAP
NetWeaver User Guide.
♦ Reporting Service. The Reporting Service runs the Data Analyzer web application. Data Analyzer provides a
framework for creating and running custom reports and dashboards. You can use Data Analyzer to run the
metadata reports provided with PowerCenter, including the PowerCenter Repository Reports and Data
Profiling Reports. Data Analyzer stores the data source schemas and report metadata in the Data Analyzer
repository. For more information, see “Data Analyzer” on page 14.
♦ Metadata Manager Service. The Metadata Manager Service runs the Metadata Manager web application.
You can use Metadata Manager to browse and analyze metadata from disparate metadata repositories.
Metadata Manager helps you understand and manage how information and processes are derived, how they
are related, and how they are used. Metadata Manager stores information about the metadata to be analyzed
in the Metadata Manager repository. For more information, see “Metadata Manager” on page 15.
♦ Reference Table Manager Service. The Reference Table Manager Service runs the Reference Table Manager
web application. Use Reference Table Manager to manage reference data such as valid, default, and cross-
reference values. Reference Table Manager stores reference tables metadata and the users and connection
information in the Reference Table Manager repository. The reference tables are stored in a staging area. For
more information, see “Reference Table Manager” on page 16.

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 Figure 1-1 shows the PowerCenter components:

Figure 1-1. PowerCenter Components

PowerCenter Client Tools Service Manager Administration

Designer
Console
Workflow Manager Repository Service
Workflow Monitor
Repository Manager
Integration Service
Targets
Sources
Relational
Relational Web Services Hub
Flat Files
Flat Files
Web Services
Web Services SAP BW Service Applications
Applications
Mainframe
Mainframe
Reporting Service Other
Other

Metadata Manager Service

Reference Table Manager Service

Domain Configuration

Data Analyzer PowerCenter Metadata Manager Reference Table Manager

Repository Repository Repository Repository

Sources
PowerCenter accesses the following sources:
♦ Relational. Oracle, Sybase ASE, Informix, IBM DB2, Microsoft SQL Server, and Teradata.
♦ File. Fixed and delimited flat file, COBOL file, XML file, and web log.
♦ Application. You can purchase additional PowerExchange products to access business sources such as
Hyperion Essbase, WebSphere MQ, IBM DB2 OLAP Server, JMS, Microsoft Message Queue, PeopleSoft,
SAP NetWeaver, SAS, Siebel, TIBCO, and webMethods.
♦ Mainframe. You can purchase PowerExchange to access source data from mainframe databases such as
Adabas, Datacom, IBM DB2 OS/390, IBM DB2 OS/400, IDMS, IDMS-X, IMS, and VSAM.
♦ Other. Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, and external web services.

Targets
PowerCenter can load data into the following targets:
♦ Relational. Oracle, Sybase ASE, Sybase IQ, Informix, IBM DB2, Microsoft SQL Server, and Teradata.
♦ File. Fixed and delimited flat file and XML.
♦ Application. You can purchase additional PowerExchange products to load data into business sources such
as Hyperion Essbase, WebSphere MQ, IBM DB2 OLAP Server, JMS, Microsoft Message Queue, PeopleSoft
EPM, SAP NetWeaver, SAP NetWeaver BI, SAS, Siebel, TIBCO, and webMethods.
♦ Mainframe. You can purchase PowerExchange to load data into mainframe databases such as IBM DB2 for
z/OS, IMS, and VSAM.
♦ Other. Microsoft Access and external web services.
You can load data into targets using ODBC or native drivers, FTP, or external loaders.

Introduction 3
PowerCenter Domain
PowerCenter has a service-oriented architecture that provides the ability to scale services and share resources
across multiple machines. PowerCenter provides the PowerCenter domain to support the administration of the
PowerCenter services. A domain is the primary unit for management and administration of services in
PowerCenter.
A domain contains the following components:
♦ One or more nodes. A node is the logical representation of a machine in a domain. A domain may contain
more than one node. The node that hosts the domain is the master gateway for the domain. You can add
other machines as nodes in the domain and configure the nodes to run application services such as the
Integration Service or Repository Service. All service requests from other nodes in the domain go through
the master gateway.
A nodes runs service processes, which is the runtime representation of an application service running on a
node.
♦ Service Manager. The Service Manager is built in to the domain to support the domain and the application
services. The Service Manager runs on each node in the domain. The Service Manager starts and runs the
application services on a machine.
♦ Application services. A group of services that represent PowerCenter server-based functionality. The
application services that run on each node in the domain depend on the way you configure the node and the
application service.
You use the PowerCenter Administration Console to manage the domain.
If you have the high availability option, you can scale services and eliminate single points of failure for services.
The Service Manager and application services can continue running despite temporary network or hardware
failures. High availability includes resilience, failover, and recovery for services and tasks in a domain.
Figure 1-2 shows a sample domain with three nodes:

Figure 1-2. Domain with Three Nodes

Node 1 (Master Gateway) Node 2 Node 3

Service Manager Service Manager Service Manager

Integration Service Repository Service

This domain has a master gateway on Node 1. Node 2 runs an Integration Service, and Node 3 runs the
Repository Service.

RELATED TOPICS:
♦ “Administration Console” on page 6

Service Manager
The Service Manager is built in to the domain and supports the domain and the application services. The
Service Manager performs the following functions:
♦ Alerts. Provides notifications about domain and service events.
♦ Authentication. Authenticates user requests from the Administration Console, PowerCenter Client,
Metadata Manager, and Data Analyzer.
♦ Authorization. Authorizes user requests for domain objects. Requests can come from the Administration
Console or from infacmd.
♦ Domain configuration. Manages domain configuration metadata.
♦ Node configuration. Manages node configuration metadata.

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 ♦ Licensing. Registers license information and verifies license information when you run application services.
♦ Logging. Provides accumulated log events from each service in the domain. You can view logs in the
Administration Console and Workflow Monitor.
♦ User management. Manages users, groups, roles, and privileges.

Application Services
When you install PowerCenter Services, the installation program installs the following application services:
♦ Repository Service. Manages connections to the PowerCenter repository. For more information, see
“Repository Service” on page 13.
♦ Integration Service. Runs sessions and workflows. For more information, see “Integration Service” on
page 14.
♦ Web Services Hub. Exposes PowerCenter functionality to external clients through web services. For more
information, see “Web Services Hub” on page 14.
♦ SAP BW Service. Listens for RFC requests from SAP NetWeaver BI and initiates workflows to extract from
or load to SAP NetWeaver BI.
♦ Reporting Service. Runs the Data Analyzer application. For more information, see “Data Analyzer” on
page 14.
♦ Metadata Manager Service. Runs the Metadata Manager application. For more information, see “Metadata
Manager” on page 15.
♦ Reference Table Manager Service. Runs the Reference Table Manager application. For more information,
see “Reference Table Manager” on page 16.

PowerCenter Repository
The PowerCenter repository resides in a relational database. The repository stores information required to
extract, transform, and load data. It also stores administrative information such as permissions and privileges for
users and groups that have access to the repository. PowerCenter applications access the PowerCenter
repository through the Repository Service.
You administer the repository through the PowerCenter Administration Console and command line programs.
You can develop global and local repositories to share metadata:
♦ Global repository. The global repository is the hub of the repository domain. Use the global repository to
store common objects that multiple developers can use through shortcuts. These objects may include
operational or application source definitions, reusable transformations, mapplets, and mappings.
♦ Local repositories. A local repository is any repository within the domain that is not the global repository.
Use local repositories for development. From a local repository, you can create shortcuts to objects in shared
folders in the global repository. These objects include source definitions, common dimensions and lookups,
and enterprise standard transformations. You can also create copies of objects in non-shared folders.
PowerCenter supports versioned repositories. A versioned repository can store multiple versions of an object.
PowerCenter version control allows you to efficiently develop, test, and deploy metadata into production.
You can view repository metadata in the Repository Manager. Informatica Metadata Exchange (MX) provides a
set of relational views that allow easy SQL access to the PowerCenter metadata repository.
You can also create a Reporting Service in the Administration Console and run the PowerCenter Repository
Reports to view repository metadata.

PowerCenter Repository 5
Administration Console
The Administration Console is a web application that you use to administer the PowerCenter domain and
PowerCenter security.

Domain Page
You administer the PowerCenter domain on the Domain page of the Administration Console. Domain objects
include services, nodes, and licenses.
You can complete the following tasks in the Domain page:
♦ Manage application services. Manage all application services in the domain, such as the Integration Service
and Repository Service.
♦ Configure nodes. Configure node properties, such as the backup directory and resources. You can also shut
down and restart nodes.
♦ Manage domain objects. Create and manage objects such as services, nodes, licenses, and folders. Folders
allow you to organize domain objects and manage security by setting permissions for domain objects.
♦ View and edit domain object properties. View and edit properties for all objects in the domain, including
the domain object.
♦ View log events. Use the Log Viewer to view domain, Integration Service, SAP BW Service, Web Services
Hub, and Repository Service log events.
Other domain management tasks include applying licenses and managing grids and resources.
Figure 1-3 shows the Domain page:

Figure 1-3. Domain Page of the PowerCenter Administration Console

Click to
display the
Domain page.

Security Page
You administer PowerCenter security on the Security page of the Administration Console. You manage users
and groups that can log in to the following PowerCenter applications:
♦ Administration Console
♦ PowerCenter Client
♦ Metadata Manager
♦ Data Analyzer
You can complete the following tasks in the Security page:
♦ Manage native users and groups. Create, edit, and delete native users and groups.

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 ♦ Configure LDAP authentication and import LDAP users and groups. Configure a connection to an LDAP
directory service. Import users and groups from the LDAP directory service.
♦ Manage roles. Create, edit, and delete roles. Roles are collections of privileges. Privileges determine the
actions that users can perform in PowerCenter applications.
♦ Assign roles and privileges to users and groups. Assign roles and privileges to users and groups for the
domain, Repository Service, Metadata Manager Service, or Reporting Service.
♦ Manage operating system profiles. Create, edit, and delete operating system profiles. An operating system
profile is a level of security that the Integration Services uses to run workflows. The operating system profile
contains the operating system user name, service process variables, and environment variables. You can
configure the Integration Service to use operating system profiles to run workflows.
Figure 1-4 shows the Security page:

Figure 1-4. Security Page of the PowerCenter Administration Console

Displays the
Security page.

Domain Configuration
Configuration information for a PowerCenter domain is stored in a set of relational database tables managed by
the Service manager and accessible to all gateway nodes in the domain. The domain configuration database
stores the following types of information about the domain:
♦ Domain configuration. Domain metadata such as host names and port numbers of nodes in the domain.
The domain configuration database also stores information on the master gateway node and all other nodes
in the domain.
♦ Usage. Includes CPU usage for each application service and the number of Repository Services running in
the domain.
♦ Users and groups. Information on the native and LDAP users and the relationships between users and
groups.
♦ Privileges and roles. Information on the privileges and roles assigned to users and groups in the domain.
Each time you make a change to the domain, the Service Manager updates the domain configuration database.
For example, when you add a node to the domain, the Service Manager adds the node information to the
domain configuration. All gateway nodes connect to the domain configuration database to retrieve domain
information and update the domain configuration.

Domain Configuration 7
PowerCenter Client
The PowerCenter Client application consists of the following tools that you use to manage the repository,
design mappings, mapplets, and create sessions to load the data:
♦ Designer. Use the Designer to create mappings that contain transformation instructions for the Integration
Service. For more information about the Designer, see “PowerCenter Designer” on page 8.
♦ Mapping Architect for Visio. Use the Mapping Architect for Visio to create mapping templates that can be
used to generate multiple mappings. For more information, see “Mapping Architect for Visio” on page 9.
♦ Repository Manager. Use the Repository Manager to assign permissions to users and groups and manage
folders. For more information about the Repository Manager, see “Repository Manager” on page 10.
♦ Workflow Manager. Use the Workflow Manager to create, schedule, and run workflows. A workflow is a set
of instructions that describes how and when to run tasks related to extracting, transforming, and loading
data. For more information about the Workflow Manager, see “Workflow Manager” on page 11.
♦ Workflow Monitor. Use the Workflow Monitor to monitor scheduled and running workflows for each
Integration Service. For more information about the Workflow Monitor, see “Workflow Monitor” on
page 12.
Install the client application on a Microsoft Windows machine.

PowerCenter Designer
The Designer has the following tools that you use to analyze sources, design target schemas, and build source-
to-target mappings:
♦ Source Analyzer. Import or create source definitions.
♦ Target Designer. Import or create target definitions.
♦ Transformation Developer. Develop transformations to use in mappings. You can also develop user-defined
functions to use in expressions.
♦ Mapplet Designer. Create sets of transformations to use in mappings.
♦ Mapping Designer. Create mappings that the Integration Service uses to extract, transform, and load data.
You can display the following windows in the Designer:
♦ Navigator. Connect to repositories and open folders within the Navigator. You can also copy objects and
create shortcuts within the Navigator.
♦ Workspace. Open different tools in this window to create and edit repository objects, such as sources,
targets, mapplets, transformations, and mappings.
♦ Output. View details about tasks you perform, such as saving your work or validating a mapping.

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 Figure 1-5 shows the default Designer windows:

Figure 1-5. Designer Windows

Navigator Output Workspace

Mapping Architect for Visio

Use Mapping Architect for Visio to create mapping templates using Microsoft Office Visio. When you work
with a mapping template, you use the following main areas:
♦ Informatica stencil. Displays shapes that represent PowerCenter mapping objects. Drag a shape from the
Informatica stencil to the drawing window to add a mapping object to a mapping template.
♦ Informatica toolbar. Displays buttons for tasks you can perform on a mapping template. Contains the
online help button.
♦ Drawing window. Work area for the mapping template. Drag shapes from the Informatica stencil to the
drawing window and set up links between the shapes. Set the properties for the mapping objects and the
rules for data movement and transformation.

PowerCenter Client 9
 Figure 1-6 shows the Mapping Architect for Visio window:

Figure 1-6. Mapping Architect for Visio Window

Informatica Stencil Informatica Toolbar Drawing Window

Repository Manager
Use the Repository Manager to administer repositories. You can navigate through multiple folders and
repositories, and complete the following tasks:
♦ Manage user and group permissions. Assign and revoke folder and global object permissions.
♦ Perform folder functions. Create, edit, copy, and delete folders. Work you perform in the Designer and
Workflow Manager is stored in folders. If you want to share metadata, you can configure a folder to be
shared.
♦ View metadata. Analyze sources, targets, mappings, and shortcut dependencies, search by keyword, and view
the properties of repository objects.
The Repository Manager can display the following windows:
♦ Navigator. Displays all objects that you create in the Repository Manager, the Designer, and the Workflow
Manager. It is organized first by repository and by folder.
♦ Main. Provides properties of the object selected in the Navigator. The columns in this window change
depending on the object selected in the Navigator.
♦ Output. Provides the output of tasks executed within the Repository Manager.

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 Figure 1-7 shows the windows in the Repository Manager:

Figure 1-7. Repository Manager Windows

Status Bar Navigator Output Main

Repository Objects
You create repository objects using the Designer and Workflow Manager client tools. You can view the
following objects in the Navigator window of the Repository Manager:
♦ Source definitions. Definitions of database objects such as tables, views, synonyms, or files that provide
source data.
♦ Target definitions. Definitions of database objects or files that contain the target data.
♦ Mappings. A set of source and target definitions along with transformations containing business logic that
you build into the transformation. These are the instructions that the Integration Service uses to transform
and move data.
♦ Reusable transformations. Transformations that you use in multiple mappings.
♦ Mapplets. A set of transformations that you use in multiple mappings.
♦ Sessions and workflows. Sessions and workflows store information about how and when the Integration
Service moves data. A workflow is a set of instructions that describes how and when to run tasks related to
extracting, transforming, and loading data. A session is a type of task that you can put in a workflow. Each
session corresponds to a single mapping.

Workflow Manager
In the Workflow Manager, you define a set of instructions to execute tasks such as sessions, emails, and shell
commands. This set of instructions is called a workflow.
The Workflow Manager has the following tools to help you develop a workflow:
♦ Task Developer. Create tasks you want to accomplish in the workflow.
♦ Worklet Designer. Create a worklet in the Worklet Designer. A worklet is an object that groups a set of
tasks. A worklet is similar to a workflow, but without scheduling information. You can nest worklets inside a
workflow.
♦ Workflow Designer. Create a workflow by connecting tasks with links in the Workflow Designer. You can
also create tasks in the Workflow Designer as you develop the workflow.

PowerCenter Client 11
 When you create a workflow in the Workflow Designer, you add tasks to the workflow. The Workflow
Manager includes tasks, such as the Session task, the Command task, and the Email task so you can design a
workflow. The Session task is based on a mapping you build in the Designer.
You then connect tasks with links to specify the order of execution for the tasks you created. Use conditional
links and workflow variables to create branches in the workflow.
When the workflow start time arrives, the Integration Service retrieves the metadata from the repository to
execute the tasks in the workflow. You can monitor the workflow status in the Workflow Monitor.
Figure 1-8 shows the Workflow Manager windows:

Figure 1-8. Workflow Manager Windows

Status Bar Navigator Output Main

Workflow Monitor
You can monitor workflows and tasks in the Workflow Monitor. You can view details about a workflow or task
in Gantt Chart view or Task view. You can run, stop, abort, and resume workflows from the Workflow
Monitor. You can view sessions and workflow log events in the Workflow Monitor Log Viewer.
The Workflow Monitor displays workflows that have run at least once. The Workflow Monitor continuously
receives information from the Integration Service and Repository Service. It also fetches information from the
repository to display historic information.
The Workflow Monitor consists of the following windows:
♦ Navigator window. Displays monitored repositories, servers, and repositories objects.
♦ Output window. Displays messages from the Integration Service and Repository Service.
♦ Time window. Displays progress of workflow runs.
♦ Gantt Chart view. Displays details about workflow runs in chronological format.
♦ Task view. Displays details about workflow runs in a report format.

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 Figure 1-9 shows the Workflow Monitor:

Figure 1-9. Workflow Monitor

Gantt Chart Task Navigator Output Window Time Window

View View Window

Repository Service
The Repository Service manages connections to the PowerCenter repository from repository clients. A
repository client is any PowerCenter component that connects to the repository. The Repository Service is a
separate, multi-threaded process that retrieves, inserts, and updates metadata in the repository database tables.
The Repository Service ensures the consistency of metadata in the repository.
The Repository Service accepts connection requests from the following PowerCenter components:
♦ PowerCenter Client. Use the Designer and Workflow Manager to create and store mapping metadata and
connection object information in the repository. Use the Workflow Monitor to retrieve workflow run status
information and session logs written by the Integration Service. Use the Repository Manager to organize and
secure metadata by creating folders and assigning permissions to users and groups.
♦ Command line programs. Use command line programs to perform repository metadata administration tasks
and service-related functions.
♦ Integration Service. When you start the Integration Service, it connects to the repository to schedule
workflows. When you run a workflow, the Integration Service retrieves workflow task and mapping
metadata from the repository. The Integration Service writes workflow status to the repository.
♦ Web Services Hub. When you start the Web Services Hub, it connects to the repository to access web-
enabled workflows. The Web Services Hub retrieves workflow task and mapping metadata from the
repository and writes workflow status to the repository.
♦ SAP BW Service. Listens for RFC requests from SAP NetWeaver BI and initiates workflows to extract from
or load to SAP NetWeaver BI.
You install the Repository Service when you install PowerCenter Services. After you install the PowerCenter
Services, you can use the Administration Console to manage the Repository Service.

Repository Service 13
Integration Service
The Integration Service reads workflow information from the repository. The Integration Service connects to
the repository through the Repository Service to fetch metadata from the repository.
A workflow is a set of instructions that describes how and when to run tasks related to extracting, transforming,
and loading data. The Integration Service runs workflow tasks. A session is a type of workflow task. A session is
a set of instructions that describes how to move data from sources to targets using a mapping.
A session extracts data from the mapping sources and stores the data in memory while it applies the
transformation rules that you configure in the mapping. The Integration Service loads the transformed data
into the mapping targets.
Other workflow tasks include commands, decisions, timers, pre-session SQL commands, post-session SQL
commands, and email notification.
The Integration Service can combine data from different platforms and source types. For example, you can join
data from a flat file and an Oracle source. The Integration Service can also load data to different platforms and
target types.
You install the Integration Service when you install PowerCenter Services. After you install the PowerCenter
Services, you can use the Administration Console to manage the Integration Service.

Web Services Hub

The Web Services Hub is the application service in the PowerCenter domain that acts as a web service gateway
for external clients. It processes SOAP requests from client applications that access PowerCenter functionality
through web services. Web service clients access the Integration Service and Repository Service through the
Web Services Hub.
The Web Services Hub hosts the following web services:
♦ Batch web services. Includes operations to run and monitor sessions and workflows and access repository
information. Batch web services are installed with PowerCenter.
♦ Real-time web services. Workflows enabled as web services that can receive requests and generate responses
in SOAP message format. You create real-time web services when you enable PowerCenter workflows as web
services.
Use the Administration Console to configure and manage the Web Services Hub. Use the Web Services Hub
Console to view information about the web service and download WSDL files necessary for creating web service
clients.

Data Analyzer
Data Analyzer is a PowerCenter web application that provides a framework to extract, filter, format, and
analyze data stored in a data warehouse, operational data store, or other data storage models. The Reporting
Service in the PowerCenter domain runs the Data Analyzer application. You can create a Reporting Service in
the PowerCenter Administration Console.
Use Data Analyzer to design, develop, and deploy reports and set up dashboards and alerts. You also use Data
Analyzer to run PowerCenter Repository Reports, Metadata Manager Reports, Data Profiling Reports. Data
Analyzer can access information from databases, web services, or XML documents. You can also set up reports
to analyze real-time data from message streams.

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 Data Analyzer maintains a repository to store metadata to track information about data source schemas, reports,
and report delivery.
If you have a PowerCenter data warehouse, Data Analyzer can read and import information about the
PowerCenter data warehouse directly from the PowerCenter repository. Data Analyzer also provides a
PowerCenter Integration utility that notifies Data Analyzer when a PowerCenter session completes. You can set
up reports in Data Analyzer to run when a PowerCenter session completes.

Data Analyzer Components

Data Analyzer includes the following components:
♦ Data Analyzer repository. The Data Analyzer repository stores metadata about objects and processes that it
requires to handle user requests. The metadata includes information about schemas, user profiles,
personalization, reports and report delivery, and other objects and processes. You can use the metadata in
the repository to create reports based on schemas without accessing the data warehouse directly. Data
Analyzer connects to the repository through Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) drivers.
♦ Application server. Data Analyzer uses a third-party application server to manage processes. The application
server provides services such as database access, server load balancing, and resource management.
♦ Web server. Data Analyzer uses an HTTP server to fetch and transmit Data Analyzer pages to web browsers.
♦ Data source. For analytic and operational schemas, Data Analyzer reads data from a relational database. It
connects to the database through JDBC drivers. For hierarchical schemas, Data Analyzer reads data from an
XML document. The XML document may reside on a web server or be generated by a web service operation.
Data Analyzer connects to the XML document or web service through an HTTP connection.
Figure 1-10 shows the Data Analyzer architecture:

Figure 1-10. Data Analyzer Architecture

Application Data Analyzer
Relational Server Repository
Data Source
Data Analyzer
XML Source
Web Server Web Browser

Dashboards/
Reports

Metadata Manager
Informatica Metadata Manager is a PowerCenter web application to browse, analyze, and manage metadata
from disparate metadata repositories. Metadata Manager helps you understand how information and processes
are derived, how they are related, and how they are used.
Metadata Manager extracts metadata from application, business intelligence, data integration, data modeling,
and relational metadata sources. Metadata Manager uses PowerCenter workflows to extract metadata from
metadata sources and load it into a centralized metadata warehouse called the Metadata Manager warehouse.
You can use Metadata Manager to browse and search metadata objects, trace data lineage, analyze metadata
usage, and perform data profiling on the metadata in the Metadata Manager warehouse. You can use Data
Analyzer to generate reports on the metadata in the Metadata Manager warehouse.
The Metadata Manager Service in the PowerCenter domain runs the Metadata Manager application. Create a
Metadata Manager Service in the PowerCenter Administration Console to configure and run the Metadata
Manager application.

Metadata Manager 15
 Metadata Manager Components
The Metadata Manager web application includes the following components:
♦ Metadata Manager Service. An application service in a PowerCenter domain that runs the Metadata
Manager application and manages connections between the Metadata Manager components. You create and
configure the Metadata Manager Service in the PowerCenter Administration Console.
♦ Metadata Manager application. Manages the metadata in the Metadata Manager warehouse. You use the
Metadata Manager application to create and load resources in Metadata Manager. After you use Metadata
Manager to load metadata for a resource, you can use the Metadata Manager application to browse and
analyze metadata for the resource. You can also use the Metadata Manager application to create custom
models and manage security on the metadata in the Metadata Manager warehouse.
♦ Metadata Manager Agent. Runs within the Metadata Manager application or on a separate machine. It is
used by Metadata Exchanges to extract metadata from metadata sources and convert it to IME interface-
based format.
♦ Metadata Manager repository. A centralized location in a relational database that stores metadata from
disparate metadata sources. It also stores Metadata Manager metadata and the packaged and custom models
for each metadata source type.
♦ PowerCenter repository. Stores the PowerCenter workflows that extract source metadata from IME-based
files and load it into the Metadata Manager warehouse.
♦ Integration Service. Runs the workflows that extract the metadata from IME-based files and load it into the
Metadata Manager warehouse.
♦ Repository Service. Manage connections to the PowerCenter repository that stores the workflows that
extract metadata from IME interface-based files.
♦ Custom Metadata Configurator. Creates custom Metadata Exchanges to extract metadata from metadata
sources for which Metadata Manager does not package a Metadata Exchange.
Figure 1-11 shows the Metadata Manager components:

Figure 1-11. Metadata Manager Components

Metadata Manager Service

Metadata Manager Repository
Metadata Manager
Application Models

Metadata Metadata Manager Metadata Manager

Sources Agent Warehouse

Custom Metadata
Integration Service Configurator

Repository Service PowerCenter

Repository

Reference Table Manager

Reference Table Manager is a PowerCenter web application that you can use to manage reference data such as
valid, default, and cross-reference values. Use the Reference Table Manager to create, edit, import, and export
reference data. Create reference tables to establish relationships between values in the source and target systems
during data migration. You can create Lookup transformations in PowerCenter mappings to look up data in the
reference tables.

16 Chapter 1: Product Overview

 The Reference Table Manager Service runs the Reference Table Manager application within the PowerCenter
domain. You can create and configure the Reference Table Manager Service in the PowerCenter Administration
Console.

Reference Table Manager Components

The Reference Table Manager application includes the following components:
♦ Reference files. Microsoft Excel or flat files that contain reference data. Use the Reference Table Manager to
import data from reference files into reference tables. You can also export the reference tables that you create
as reference files.
♦ Reference Table Manager. A web application used to manage reference tables that contain reference data.
Use the Reference Table Manager to create, edit, import, and export reference data. You can also manage
user connections, and view user information and audit trail logs.
♦ Reference Table Manager Service. An application service that runs the Reference Table Manager
application in the PowerCenter domain. You can create and configure the Reference Table Manager Service
in the PowerCenter Administration Console.
♦ Reference Table Manager repository. A relational database that stores reference table metadata and
information about users and user connections.
♦ Reference tables. Tables that contain reference data. You can create, edit, and export reference tables with
the Reference Table Manager. You can also import data from reference files into reference tables. Look up
data in the reference tables through PowerCenter mappings.
♦ Reference table staging area. A relational database that stores the reference tables. All reference tables that
you create or import using the Reference Table Manager are stored within the staging area. You can create
and manage multiple staging areas to restrict access to the reference tables.
Figure 1-12 shows the Reference Table Manager components:

Figure 1-12. Reference Table Manager Components

Reference Table Manager Reference Table Manager
Service Repository
Reference Files
Reference Table Reference Table Staging
Manager Application Area 1
Reference Table Staging
Area 2

Reference Table Manager 17