> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://insightsoftware-preview.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Creating a Data Source Name in Windows

<a id="creating-a-data-source-name-in-windows" />

Typically, after installing the Simba OneLake ODBC Connector, you need to create a Data Source Name (DSN).

Alternatively, for information about DSN-less connections, see [Using a Connection String](/simba/onelake/onelake-odbc-installation-and-configuration-guide/using_a_connection_string).

To create a Data Source Name in Windows:

1. From the Start menu, go to **ODBC Data Sources**.

<Note>
  **Note:** Make sure to select the ODBC Data Source Administrator that has the same bitness as the client application that you are using to connect to Onelake.
</Note>

2. In the ODBC Data Source Administrator, click the **Drivers** tab, and then scroll down as needed to confirm that the appears in the alphabetical list of ODBC connectors that are installed on your system.
3. Choose one:
   * To create a DSN that only the user currently logged into Windows can use, click the **User DSN** tab.
   * Or, to create a DSN that all users who log into Windows can use, click the **System DSN** tab.

<Note>
  **Note:** It is recommended that you create a System DSN instead of a User DSN. Some applications load the data using a different user account, and might not be able to detect User DSNs that are created under another user account.
</Note>

4. Click **Add**.

5. In the Create New Data Source dialog box, select and then click **Finish**. The DSN Setup dialog box opens.

6. In the **Data Source Name** field, type a name for your DSN.

7. In the **Server** field, type the name or IP address of the host where your LakeHouse instance is running.

<Note>
  **Note:** You can specify the name of the LakeHouse instance by using the syntax *\[ServerInfo]*\*\*\*\**\[Instance]* , where *\[ServerInfo]* is the IP address or host name of the server and *\[Instance]* is the name of the instance. Make sure that the **Port** field is left empty in this scenario.
</Note>

9. In the **Port** field, type the number of the TCP port that the server uses to listen for client connections.

<Note>
  **Note:** The default port used by Onelake is 1433.
</Note>

10. In the **Database** field, type the name of the database that you want to access.
11. To use TLS to encrypt all communication with the Onelake instance before sending it over the network, do one of the following:

* To enable one-way authentication so that the connector verifies the server certificate using a CA certificate, in the **CA Certificate** field, type the full path and file name of the CA certificate that you want to use.
* Or, to trust the server certificate instead of verifying it, select the **Trust Server Certificate** check box.

<Note>
  **Note:** All communications through the OneLake ODBC driver are encrypted by default to ensure data security.
</Note>

12. To specify the minimum version of TLS that the connector must use to connect to the server, from the **Minimum TLS/SSL** drop-down list, select the required TLS version.

<Note>
  **Note:** The final TLS version is decided post-handshake by the client and server.
</Note>

13. To configure logging behavior for the connector, click **Logging Options**. For more information, see [Configuring Connector-wide Logging Options in Windows](/simba/onelake/onelake-odbc-installation-and-configuration-guide/windows_driver/configuring_logging_options_in_windows/overview).
14. To test the connection, click **Test**. Review the results as needed, and then click **OK**.

<Note>
  **Note:** If the connection fails, then confirm that the settings in the Simba Onelake ODBC Driver DSN Setup dialog box are correct. Contact your Onelake administrator as needed.
</Note>

15. To save your settings and close the Simba Onelake ODBC Driver DSN Setup dialog box, click **OK**.
16. To close the ODBC Data Source Administrator, click **OK**.