Update Physical Layer Wizard utility

You can use the Update Physical Layer Wizard to update database objects in the Physical layer of a repository, based on their current definitions in the back-end database. This wizard is not available for repositories that are open in read-only mode, because they are not available for updating.

When the wizard processes the update, the Oracle BI Server connects to each back-end database. The objects in the Physical layer are compared with those in the back-end database. Explanatory text alerts you to differences between objects as defined in the database in the Physical layer and as defined the back-end database, such as data type-length mismatches and objects that are no longer found in the back-end database. For example, if an object exists in the database in the Physical layer of the repository but not in the back-end database, the following text is displayed:

Object does not exist in the database and will be deleted

The wizard does not add columns or tables to the repository that exist in the back-end database, but not in the repository. Additionally, the wizard does not update column key assignments. It checks that there is a column in the repository that matches the column in the database, and then, if the values do not match, the wizard updates the type and length of the column in the repository.


The connection pool settings for each database need to match the connection pool settings used when the objects were last imported into the Physical layer from the back-end database.

To update objects in the Physical layer:

1. In the Administration Tool, select Tools, then select Utilities.
   
2. Select Update Physical Layer and click Execute.
   The databases in the Physical layer of the repository are listed in the left pane of the wizard.
   
3. In the Select Database screen, select the databases that you want to update in the left pane, and then click Add. To remove a database from the update list in the right pane, select it and click Remove.
   
4. Click Next.
   
5. In the Select Connection Pool screen, select the connection pool for each database that you want to update and then click Next. You might need to set or confirm values for variables before continuing.
   
6. In the Update screen, review the information about each update and select the updates you want to perform. You can sort the rows (toggle between ascending and descending order) by clicking the Name column heading.
   
7. If you decide that you do not want the wizard to update a particular object in the Physical layer, click the Back button and remove the object.
   
8. When the repository is open in online mode, the Checkout screen appears. In online mode, objects need to be checked out before you can make changes to them. Click Next to check out the necessary objects.
   
9. Click Finish.
   The wizard updates the objects in the Physical layer, and then closes automatically. Objects that do not exist in the database are deleted.
   
10. From the File menu, select Save to save the updated objects in the Physical layer.

-Asifkhan P.