New IBM Informix Database Connection - key fields missing

[kiwi_iwik]

I'm trying to create a new IBM Informix Database data connection in app.powerbi.com Manager Connections and Gateways. From what I can see, ODBC and JDBC connections to Informix have always required at least 4 critical settings - Host, Server, Service/Port and Database. There is also often an additional Protocol field. 

For ODBC connections I've seen online and from working examples, the Host setting is normally the IP address, the Service is the Port, the Server is the Informix database server name and the Database setting is the Informix database name. Protocol setting might be something like 'onsoctcp'. 

The new Fabric Informix data connector however only provides options for Server and Database. I understand that the Server IP address can include the port number using the ':' separator. All the examples given seem to show what was for ODBC connections the Host info (IP address) in the new Fabric connector's Server field. So where does the Informix Server name go? There doesn't seem to be enough fields to take all the information required. I've tried every combination of properties I can think of to no avail. Any assistance would be much appreciated. Has anyone got this working? We have ODBC working but I'm hoping the IBM Informix Database connection will give better performance. 

Note that we have a gateway setup and enabled drda on the server. 

[lbendlin]

If you want to use ODBC, use the ODBC connector, not the Informix connector.

For ODBC you can decide between (system) DSN and dsn-less connections. If you use the DSN then the connection details only need to specify

dsn=server

where "server"  is the name you gave the DSN in the ODBC control panel.

[kiwi_iwik]

Hi lbendlin, thanks for your prompt reply. We are using ODBC successfully already, but speed could be better. I'd like to get Microsoft Fabric's IBM Informix Database connector working to see if it is faster, if it offers more features etc but also ensuring we have a 'Plan B' contingency available if ever needed. 

[lbendlin · Accepted solution]

The ugly truth is that many of these "native"  drivers are actually hidden SIMBA ODBC drivers.  You can check in the installation folder.