---
title: 3.7.2 Set Database Properties
description: "# Step 2: Set Database Properties for Metadata Tables As stated earlier each i2b2 database schema has a corresponding directory that contains the data files for installing the data. Each of these directories has a file called **db.properties** and it…"
url: "https://i2b2.org/docs/3-7-2-set-database-properties/"
updated: "2026-09-15"
category: i2b2 Installation Guide / Chapter 3. Data Installation / 3.7 Metadata Tables
---

# 3.7.2 Set Database Properties

#

Step 2: Set Database Properties for Metadata Tables

As stated earlier each i2b2 database schema has a corresponding directory that contains the data files for installing the data. Each of these directories has a file called **db.properties** and it needs to be updated with your environment variables.

### Steps for setting database properties

**Assumptions:**

- You are logged into the command line application for your environment. *(Linux: Terminal or Shell and Windows: Command Prompt)*
- You have already changed your working directory to the one that is appropriate for this installation.

1. At the command prompt type the following:

  **Linux Command**

      open db.properties

  **Windows Command**

      db.properties

2. The **db.properties** file will open. Set the following properties for the DBMS at your site:

Important

When setting the database properties make sure you set the user to **i2b2metadata** and the project to **demo**.

ACT Ontology

As of 1.7.12, it is possible to load the ACT ontology instead of the demo ontology. In this case, change the project to **ACT**. More information can be found in [the release notes](https://i2b2.atlassian.net/wiki/display/RM/1.7.12a+Release+Notes#id-1.7.12aReleaseNotes-act-ontolog).

  **Database Properties File**

**Oracle Database**

db.type=oracle

db.username=i2b2metadata

db.password=demouser

db.server=*LocationOfYourDatabase*:1521:xe

db.driver=oracle.jdbc.driver.OracleDriver

db.url=jdbc:oracle:thin:@*LocationOfYourDatabase*:1521:xe

db.project=demo

**PostgreSQL Database**

db.type=postgresql

db.username=i2b2metadata

db.password=demouser

db.driver=org.postgresql.Driver

db.url=jdbc:postgresql://*LocationOfYourDatabase*/i2b2?searchpath=i2b2metadata

db.project=demo

**SQL Server Database**

db.type=sqlserver

db.username=i2b2metadata

db.password=demouser

db.driver=com.microsoft.sqlserver.jdbc.SQLServerDriver

db.url=jdbc:sqlserver://*LocationOfYourDatabase*:1433;database=demo

db.project=demo

3. Save the changes and close the file.

Tip

To save yourself steps, DO NOT close your Command Prompt window as you will be continuing to use it throughout the remainder of the installation.