> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.pentaho.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.pentaho.com/install/jdbc-drivers-reference-archive/install-drivers-with-the-jdbc-distribution-tool.md).

# Install drivers with the JDBC distribution tool

To connect to a database, including the Pentaho Repository database, you will need to download and install a JDBC driver to the appropriate places for Pentaho components as well as on the the web application server that contains the Pentaho Server.

Perform the following steps to download a JDBC driver and install the JDBC driver using the JDBC Distribution Tool.

**Note:** Due to licensing restrictions, Pentaho cannot redistribute some third-party database drivers. You must download the file yourself and install it yourself.

1. Download a [JDBC driver](/install/jdbc-drivers-reference.md) JAR from your database vendor or a third-party driver developer.
2. Copy the JDBC driver JAR you just downloaded to the `pentaho/jdbc-distribution` directory.
3. Open a cmd prompt or shell tool, navigate to the `pentaho/jdbc-distribution` directory and enter one of the following:
   * Windows:

     `distribute-files.bat <name of JDBC driver JAR>`
   * Linux:

     `./distribute-files.sh`
4. If you have run this utility as part of the installation process, you are done. Proceed to the next step of the installation instructions.
5. If you have run this utility so that you can connect to a new repository, restart the Pentaho Server and design tools, then try to connect to the new repository. If you cannot connect, verify that the drivers are installed as shown in the table below. Restart your Pentaho Server and client tools.

   |List of Products and Corresponding Locations for JDBC Drivers|\
   |Server or Design Tool|Directory|\
   \|-------------------------------------------------------------|\
   \|---------------------|---------|\
   |Pentaho Server|`pentaho/server/pentaho-server/tomcat/lib`|\
   |Pentaho Data Integration (Spoon)|`pentaho/design-tools/data-integration/lib`|\
   |Pentaho Report Designer (PRD)|`pentaho/design-tools/report-designer/lib/jdbc`|\
   |Pentaho Aggregation Designer (PAD)|`pentaho/design-tools/aggregation-designer/drivers`|\
   |Pentaho Schema Workbench (PSW)|`pentaho/design-tools/schema-workbench/drivers`|\
   |Pentaho Metadata Editor (PME)|`pentaho/design-tools/metadata-editor/libext/JDBC`|


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.pentaho.com/install/jdbc-drivers-reference-archive/install-drivers-with-the-jdbc-distribution-tool.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.