Why is the Encrypt checkbox grayed out in the FDM UI

Products

• CA Test Data Manager (Data Finder / Grid Tools)

Issue/Introduction

After launching the FDM UI, we noticed that the Encrypt checkbox is grayed out, and cannot be selected. When selecting one of the example connections, we don't see the Encrypt checkbox selected. How do we enable the Encrypt checkbox, in order to encrypt the saved passwords?

Environment

All Supported releases of FDM

Cause

Prior to FDM version 4.6.413.0 we allowed the user to check or uncheck the Encrypt box, depending on if they wanted to save the password that is written in the connection file used by FDM in an encrypted format, or plain text. This all changed starting with FDM 4.6.413.0 and greater.

Resolution

Because of security concerns, TDM Product Management decided to disable the ability to save passwords in plain text format, and by default only allow the passwords to be saved encrypted. Therefore, in the current FDM UI, when you create a new connection and saved it to a file, the password is automatically saved as encrypted regardless whether the Encrypt checkbox shows to be checked or not. 

For example, when creating a new Oracle connection, by clicking the 'New' button and selecting ORACLE as the DBMS, we see the Encrypt checkbox checked, as shown below.

Additional Information

To override the default behavior, and allow users to save passwords in the connection file as plain text instead of encrypted:

1. Launch the FDM UI
2. Connect to any data source
3. In the FDM UI, select the Configuration menu item at the top of the screen
4. Select "Allow Password Unencrypted"
   
5. Close the FDM UI and relaunch. 
6. You will now have the ability to check or uncheck the Encrypt Checkbox for data sources requiring a password.