Driver Management
Manage built-in and agent-based JDBC drivers, configure JRE versions, and handle driver updates.
DBX uses a hybrid driver architecture: built-in native drivers for common databases and a JDBC agent system for databases that require vendor-specific JDBC drivers.
Driver Architecture
| Driver Type | How It Works | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Native (built-in) | Rust drivers compiled into DBX | MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, SQL Server, Oracle, Redis, MongoDB, DuckDB, ClickHouse, and more |
| JDBC Agent | Java subprocess managed by DBX | Databases that provide JDBC drivers: GaussDB, openGauss, DM, KingBase, HighGo, Vastbase, Trino, Hive, DB2, Informix, Neo4j, TDengine, XuguDB, YashanDB, GoldenDB, Kylin, SunDB, and more |
Native drivers work immediately after installation. Agent drivers require a one-time JDBC driver download and JRE setup, which DBX handles automatically when you first create a connection.
Driver Store
The Driver Store tab shows all available agent drivers and their status:
- Installed drivers: version number, size, and update availability
- Available drivers: drivers you can install with one click
- Update badges: when a newer version is available from the registry
Open the Driver Store from Settings → Drivers or click the driver hint that appears when creating a connection that needs an agent driver.
Installing Drivers
Open Driver Store
Navigate to Settings → Drivers or click the driver install hint in the connection dialog.
Choose a Driver
Find the database driver you need. Each entry shows the supported database and driver version.
Click Install
DBX downloads the JDBC driver JAR and any required dependencies. Progress is shown during download.
Create a Connection
Return to the connection dialog. The driver is now ready for use.
JRE Management
JDBC agent drivers require a Java Runtime Environment. DBX includes JRE management:
- System JRE: DBX can use an existing Java installation on your system
- Managed JRE: DBX can download and manage its own JRE, isolated from your system Java
- Multi-JRE support: Different drivers can target different JRE versions when needed
- Reinstall: Reinstall the managed JRE from the Driver Store if it becomes corrupted
Driver Updates
DBX checks for driver updates periodically:
- Update badges appear on the Driver Store tab when newer versions are available
- Click Upgrade All Drivers to update all installed drivers at once
- Individual drivers can be upgraded from their entry in the store
Offline Driver Import
For environments without internet access, DBX supports offline driver installation:
- Download the JDBC driver ZIP bundle from another machine
- Transfer it to the offline machine
- In Driver Store, use Import from ZIP to install the driver bundle
This is useful for air-gapped networks, strict firewall environments, or pre-approved driver versions in enterprise settings.
Plugin Updates
For databases supported by the JDBC Plugin, DBX shows update notices when a new plugin version is available. Plugin updates follow the same install flow as built-in agent drivers.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Driver download fails | Check network connectivity and firewall rules. Try the offline import method. |
| Agent won't start | Verify JRE installation in Driver Store. Reinstall the managed JRE if needed. |
| Connection test fails after driver install | Confirm the JDBC URL format matches the driver's expected format. Check SSH/proxy settings. |
| Wrong driver version | Uninstall the current driver and install the correct version from the store. |