Multiple database connection for integration with other system

You have found specific articles for the question about Joomla opening an external connection.

Now, your next question is how to extend Joomla. If you are need to create a whole set of new features, for instance, browsing external tables in your site, then you have to create a Component. If you only have to display a list of entries in a position, you can simply create a Module.

Developers - Getting Started http://docs.joomla.org/Portal:Developers

If you wish to connect to an external data source (a different database than the one your Joomla site is using), And you have control over your component or module, You should modify the model that receives the data an instead of using

$db = JFactory::getDbo(); 

Initiate a new connection like so:

$option = array(); //prevent problems $option['driver'] = 'mysql'; // Database driver name $option['host'] = 'db.myhost.com'; // Database host name $option['user'] = 'fredbloggs'; // User for database authentication $option['password'] = 's9(39s£h[%dkFd'; // Password for database authentication $option['database'] = 'bigdatabase'; // Database name $option['prefix'] = 'abc_'; // Database prefix (may be empty) $db = JDatabaseDriver::getInstance( $option ); 

and process the received data just like any other model data.

Hope it helps