Title: Databases
Category: documentation

## Database Setup
The standard distribution of ODE relies on an [OpenJPA](http://openjpa.apache.org/) data access layer to provide persistence. OpenJPA can support most major databases; consequently, ODE can in theory support most major databases.

By default, the ODE distribution uses an embedded [Derby](http://db.apache.org/derby/) instance to provide persistence facilities. In order to use a different database, one must generally:

 * install the database
 * populate the database with ODE's schema (schema files are found in `sql/*` of the ODE distribution)
 * configure a datasource for the application server you're deploying ODE on.
 * modify the ode properties file located inside the deployed WAR file or JBI service assembly in the conf subdirectory.

Here is an example of ODE configuration:

	:::properties
	ode-axis2.db.mode=EXTERNAL
	ode-axis2.db.ext.dataSource=java:comp/env/jdbc/ODEDS
	ode-axis2.tx.factory.class=org.apache.ode.axis2.util.GeronimoFactory