# Connecting to an External Database

This document provides a guide to connecting an application to an external database auto-provisioned by the Entando Operator. In many production configurations, it is recommended to use a DBMS outside of the cluster where your Entando Application is running to simplify maintenance, minimize duplication of resources, and establish a backup workflow to scale with your application.

There are also two optional configurations to customize your setup. Note the first section applies to PostgreSQL or MySQL DBMS, while the second option is to autoprovision an external Oracle DBMS.

For more information about how Entando manages external databases, see Existing External DB.

# Prerequisites

An environment to install your Entando Application
A running PostgreSQL, MySQL, or Oracle environment
Administrator access to the database
Network access from your Kubernetes cluster to your database

# Tutorial

Edit the EntandoApp custom resource definition (CRD).
- Set the value for dbms to none.
- Under environmentVariables, provide the database connection information for two Entando server databases and one connection for the Entando Component Repository (ECR). Sample connection information for each of the databases is provided below.
- Note that Kubernetes Secrets are auto-provisioned when specified in the environmentVariables section, to pass on the DB credentials. Secrets can also be created manually.

This is an EntandoApp CRD example for a PostgreSQL DBMS:

apiVersion: entando.org/v1
kind: EntandoApp
metadata:
  namespace: YOUR-NAMESPACE
  name: YOUR-APP-NAME
spec:
  dbms: none
  ingressHostName: YOUR-APP-NAME.k8s-entando.org
  standardServerImage: tomcat
  environmentVariables:
    - name: MAX_RAM_PERCENTAGE
      value: "75"
    - name: PORTDB_URL
      value: jdbc:postgresql://{DBMS_ADDRESS}:{DBMS_PORT}/{DBMS_DBNAME}
    - name: PORTDB_USERNAME
      valueFrom:
        secretKeyRef:
         key: username
         name: YOUR-PORTDB-SECRET
    - name: PORTDB_PASSWORD
      valueFrom:
        secretKeyRef:
         key: password
         name: YOUR-PORTDB-SECRET
    - name: PORTDB_CONNECTION_CHECKER
      value: org.jboss.jca.adapters.jdbc.extensions.postgres.PostgreSQLValidConnectionChecker
    - name: PORTDB_EXCEPTION_SORTER
      value: org.jboss.jca.adapters.jdbc.extensions.postgres.PostgreSQLExceptionSorter
    - name: SERVDB_URL
      value: jdbc:postgresql://{DBMS_ADDRESS}:{DBMS_PORT}/{DBMS_DBNAME}
    - name: SERVDB_USERNAME
      valueFrom:
        secretKeyRef:
         key: username
         name: YOUR-SERVDB-SECRET
    - name: SERVDB_PASSWORD
      valueFrom:
        secretKeyRef:
         key: password
         name: YOUR-SERVDB-SECRET
    - name: SERVDB_CONNECTION_CHECKER
      value: org.jboss.jca.adapters.jdbc.extensions.postgres.PostgreSQLValidConnectionChecker
    - name: SERVDB_EXCEPTION_SORTER
      value: org.jboss.jca.adapters.jdbc.extensions.postgres.PostgreSQLExceptionSorter
    - name: SPRING_DATASOURCE_URL
      value: jdbc:postgresql://{DBMS_ADDRESS}:{DBMS_PORT}/{DBMS_DBNAME}
    - name: SPRING_DATASOURCE_USERNAME
      valueFrom:
        secretKeyRef:
         key: username
         name: YOUR-DEDB-SECRET
    - name: SPRING_DATASOURCE_PASSWORD
      valueFrom:
        secretKeyRef:
         key: password
         name: YOUR-DEDB-SECRET
    - name: SPRING_JPA_DATABASE_PLATFORM
      value: org.hibernate.dialect.PostgreSQLDialect
    - name: SERVDB_CONNECTION_CHECKER
      value: org.jboss.jca.adapters.jdbc.extensions.postgres.PostgreSQLValidConnectionChecker
    - name: SERVDB_EXCEPTION_SORTER
      value: org.jboss.jca.adapters.jdbc.extensions.postgres.PostgreSQLExceptionSorter
  replicas: 1
 
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Create the YOUR-POSTGRESQL-SECRET with the admin credentials for the DB. You can skip this step if you include the credentials as an environmentVariable under the spec section.
Edit the EntandoDatabaseService CRD for your namespace and external DB requirements.

apiVersion: entando.org/v1
kind: EntandoDatabaseService
metadata:
  name: YOUR-DB-NAME
  annotations:
    entando.org/controller-image: entando-k8s-database-service-controller
    entando.org/supported-capabilities: mysql.dbms,oracle.dbms,postgresql.dbms,dbms
  labels:
    entando.org/crd-of-interest: EntandoDatabaseService
spec:
  dbms: none
  provisioningStrategy: UseExternal
  host: YOUR-DBMS-HOSTURL
  port: [] # optional
  databaseName: YOUR-DB-NAME
  secretName: YOUR-POSTGRESQL-SECRET
  providedCapabilityScope: YOUR-NAMESPACE
  replicas: 1
 
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# Required Database Samples

# ECR

- name: SPRING_DATASOURCE_URL
  value: {ECRDB_URL}
- name: SPRING_DATASOURCE_USERNAM
  valueFrom:
    secretKeyRef:
      name: {ECRDB_DBMS_SECRET_NAME}
      key: username
      optional: false
- name: SPRING_DATASOURCE_PASSWORD
  valueFrom:
    secretKeyRef:
      name: {ECRDB_DBMS_SECRET_NAME}
      key: password
      optional: false
- name: SPRING_JPA_DATABASE_PLATFORM
  value: {ECRDB_DIALECT}
 
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# Portal DB

- name: PORTDB_URL
  value: {PORTDB_URL}
- name: PORTDB_USERNAME
  valueFrom:
    secretKeyRef:
      name: {PORTDB_DBMS_SECRET_NAME}
      key: username
      optional: false
- name: PORTDB_PASSWORD
  valueFrom:
    secretKeyRef:
      name: {PORTDB_DBMS_SECRET_NAME}
      key: password
      optional: false
- name: PORTDB_CONNECTION_CHECKER
  value: {PORTDB_CONNECTION_CHECKER}
- name: PORTDB_EXCEPTION_SORTER
  value: {PORTDB_EXCEPTION_SORTER}
 
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# Server DB

- name: SERVDB_URL
  value: {SERVDB_URL}
- name: SERVDB_USERNAME
  valueFrom:
    secretKeyRef:
      name: {SERVDB_DBMS_SECRET_NAME}
      key: username
      optional: false
- name: SERVDB_PASSWORD
  valueFrom:
    secretKeyRef:
      name: {SERVDB_DBMS_SECRET_NAME}
      key: password
      optional: false
- name: SERVDB_CONNECTION_CHECKER
  value: {SERVDB_CONNECTION_CHECKER}
- name: SERVDB_EXCEPTION_SORTER
  value: {SERVDB_EXCEPTION_SORTER}
 
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Set the values for placeholders in the templates above, based on your database configuration.

# Connection Samples by Vendor Type

# Postgresql

XXX_URL:                      jdbc:postgresql://{DBMS_ADDRESS}:{DBMS_PORT}/{DBMS_DBNAME}
XXX_CONNECTION_CHECKER:        org.jboss.jca.adapters.jdbc.extensions.postgres.PostgreSQLValidConnectionChecker
XXX_EXCEPTION_SORTER:         org.jboss.jca.adapters.jdbc.extensions.postgres.PostgreSQLExceptionSorter
SPRING_JPA_DATABASE_PLATFORM: org.hibernate.dialect.PostgreSQLDialect
 
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# MySql

XXX_URL:                      jdbc:mysql://{DBMS_ADDRESS}:{DBMS_PORT}/{DBMS_DBNAME}
XXX_CONNECTON_CHECKER:        org.jboss.jca.adapters.jdbc.extensions.mysql.MySQLValidConnectionChecker
XXX_EXCEPTION_SORTER:         org.jboss.jca.adapters.jdbc.extensions.mysql.MySQLExceptionSorter
SPRING_JPA_DATABASE_PLATFORM: org.hibernate.dialect.MySQLDialect 
 
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# Oracle

XXX_URL:                      jdbc:oracle:{driver_type}:@//{DBMS_ADDRESS}:{DBMS_PORT}/{DBMS_SERVICE_NAME}
XXX_CONNECTON_CHECKER:        org.jboss.jca.adapters.jdbc.extensions.oracle.OracleValidConnectionChecker
XXX_EXCEPTION_SORTER:         org.jboss.jca.adapters.jdbc.extensions.oracle.OracleExceptionSorter
SPRING_JPA_DATABASE_PLATFORM: org.hibernate.dialect.OracleDialect 
 
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See additional details about an Oracle implementation.

# Options

# A. Customize with the `ProvidedCapability` CRD

The ProvidedCapability custom resource definition can be utilized to automate the deployment of the DBMS and provide more controls. This approach can be used for PostgreSQL or MySQL DBMS.

# Steps:

Customize the templates with your namespace, preferred DB name, and schema. Also add your FQDN in the SSO template.
Apply the templates before starting the Entando installation.
Install Entando the usual way.

# ProvidedCapability Templates for DBMS and SSO

Main DB ProvidedCapability Template

apiVersion: entando.org/v1
kind: ProvidedCapability
metadata:
  name: [YOUR-DB-NAME]
  namespace: [YOUR-NAMESPACE]
spec:
  capability: dbms
  implementation: postgresql
  resolutionScopePreference:
  - Namespace
  - Dedicated
  - Cluster

 
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SSO ProvidedCapability Template

apiVersion: entando.org/v1
kind: ProvidedCapability
metadata:
  name: [YOUR-SSO-SCHEMA-NAME]
  namespace: [YOUR-NAMESPACE]
spec:
  capability: sso
  capabilityParameters:
    preferredDbms: postgresql
    preferredIngressHostName: [YOUR-FQDN]
  resolutionScopePreference:
  - Namespace
  - Cluster
 
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# B. Configure an External Oracle DBMS

This section describes the steps for the Entando Operator to auto-provision external Oracle databases for all of its needs, including Keycloak, two server DB, and another for the Component Repository as required in a typical Entando installation.

# Steps

The process requires the reformulation of the custom resources for the App Engine, Keycloak server and database service prior your Entando installation. Replace the variables below as required by your application, paying special attention to those with the prefix YOUR-.

Edit the EntandoApp custom resource definition, using your namespace and application name:

apiVersion: entando.org/v1
kind: EntandoApp
metadata:
  namespace: YOUR-NAMESPACE
  name: YOUR-APP-NAME
spec:
  dbms: none
  ingressHostName: YOUR-APP-NAME.k8s-entando.org
  standardServerImage: tomcat
  environmentVariables:
    - name: MAX_RAM_PERCENTAGE
      value: "75"
    - name: PORTDB_URL
      value: jdbc:oracle:thin:@//*****************************:1521/*******
    - name: PORTDB_USERNAME
      valueFrom:
        secretKeyRef:
         key: username
         name: YOUR-PORTDB-SECRET
    - name: PORTDB_PASSWORD
      valueFrom:
        secretKeyRef:
         key: password
         name: YOUR-PORTDB-SECRET
    - name: PORTDB_CONNECTION_CHECKER
      value: org.jboss.jca.adapters.jdbc.extensions.oracle.OracleValidConnectionChecker
    - name: PORTDB_EXCEPTION_SORTER
      value: org.jboss.jca.adapters.jdbc.extensions.oracle.OracleExceptionSorter
    - name: SERVDB_URL
      value: jdbc:oracle:thin:@//*********************************:1521/******
    - name: SERVDB_USERNAME
      valueFrom:
        secretKeyRef:
         key: username
         name: YOUR-SERVDB-SECRET
    - name: SERVDB_PASSWORD
      valueFrom:
        secretKeyRef:
         key: password
         name: YOUR-SERVDB-SECRET
    - name: SERVDB_CONNECTION_CHECKER
      value: org.jboss.jca.adapters.jdbc.extensions.oracle.OracleValidConnectionChecker
    - name: SERVDB_EXCEPTION_SORTER
      value: org.jboss.jca.adapters.jdbc.extensions.oracle.OracleExceptionSorter
    - name: SPRING_DATASOURCE_URL
      value: jdbc:oracle:thin:@//*************:1521/********
    - name: SPRING_DATASOURCE_USERNAME
      valueFrom:
        secretKeyRef:
         key: username
         name: YOUR-DEDB-SECRET
    - name: SPRING_DATASOURCE_PASSWORD
      valueFrom:
        secretKeyRef:
         key: password
         name: YOUR-DEDB-SECRET
    - name: SPRING_JPA_DATABASE_PLATFORM
      value: org.hibernate.dialect.OracleDialect
    - name: SERVDB_CONNECTION_CHECKER
      value: org.jboss.jca.adapters.jdbc.extensions.oracle.OracleValidConnectionChecker
    - name: SERVDB_EXCEPTION_SORTER
      value: org.jboss.jca.adapters.jdbc.extensions.oracle.OracleExceptionSorter
  replicas: 1
 
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Find more information on EntandoApp Custom Resource definitions

Edit the EntandoDatabaseService custom resource definition:

apiVersion: entando.org/v1
kind: EntandoDatabaseService
metadata:
  name: YOUR-DB-NAME
  annotations:
    entando.org/controller-image: entando-k8s-database-service-controller
    entando.org/supported-capabilities: mysql.dbms,oracle.dbms,postgresql.dbms,dbms
  labels:
    entando.org/crd-of-interest: EntandoDatabaseService
spec:
  dbms: oracle
  provisioningStrategy: UseExternal
  host: *********
  port: 1521
  databaseName: ******
  secretName: postgresql-secret
  providedCapabilityScope: YOUR-NAMESPACE
  replicas: 1
 
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Find more information on EntandoDatabaseService Custom Resource definitions

Edit the EntandoKeycloakServer custom resource definition:

kind: EntandoKeycloakServer
apiVersion: entando.org/v1
metadata:
  labels:
    entando.org/capability: Sso
    entando.org/capability-provision-scope: Namespace
  name: YOUR-KEYCLOAK-NAME
  namespace: YOUR-NAMESPACE
spec:
  dbms: none
  environmentVariables:
    - name: DB_VENDOR
      value: oracle
    - name: DB_PASSWORD
      valueFrom:
        secretKeyRef:
          key: password
          name: YOUR-POSTGRESQL-SECRET
    - name: DB_USER
      valueFrom:
        secretKeyRef:
          key: username
          name: YOUR-POSTGRESQL-SECRET
#    - name: KC_DB_URL
#      value: jdbc:oracle:thin:@//**********:1521/*****
    - name: DB_DATABASE
      value: *********
    - name: DB_ADDR
      value: **************
    - name: DB_PORT
      value: "1521"
  ingressHostName: YOUR-APP-NAME.k8s-entando.org
  isDefault: false
  provisioningStrategy: DeployDirectly
  replicas: 1
  standardImage: keycloak
 
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Find more information on EntandoKeycloakServer custom resource definitions

Apply the custom resources to the cluster using kubectl apply and then install Entando the usual way.

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