Connector

Overview

A Connector is a repository entity that defines how AnalyticsCreator connects to an external data source. Connectors store the connector name, connector type, connection settings, source-specific options, and metadata used to read sources, refresh source structures, create imports, and export connector definitions.

Function

Use the Connector entity to maintain source-system access for supported connector types such as MSSQL, ORACLE, CSV, EXCEL, ACCESS, OLEDB, SAP, ODBC, DIRECT, OLEDB.NET, Azure BLOB, and OData.

The visible fields change by connector type. Standard OLE DB-style connectors use a connection string and can insert a template. CSV connectors expose file parsing settings. DIRECT connectors expose server and database fields plus SQLCMD variable fields. Azure BLOB connectors expose storage account and Azure key fields. OData connectors expose URL, authentication, login, and password fields.

When a connector is saved, AnalyticsCreator validates the connector type and connector name, validates DIRECT database and SQLCMD variable values where required, stores the type-specific settings, detects quoted identifiers for supported database connectors when possible, and refreshes the repository navigation tree.

Access

Connectors can be opened from the Sources ribbon tab, from the Connectors branch in the repository navigation tree, from the connectors list, or from an individual connector node.

How to access

Navigation tree

Data warehouse -> Connectors -> CONNECTOR

Toolbar

Sources -> List -> Connectors

Diagram

Not applicable.

Visual element

Connectors list, Connector detail page, and connector nodes in the repository navigation tree.

Screen overview

The Connector detail page contains the following visible fields, options, and actions.

ID Property Description
1Encrypted string helpShows that #ENCRYPTED_STRING# aliases can be used instead of plain-text passwords. Encrypted strings are maintained under Options->Encrypted strings.
2Connector nameName of the connector. Saving requires a non-empty value, and connector names are unique in the repository.
3Connector typeConnector type selection. Seeded types include MSSQL, ORACLE, CSV, EXCEL, ACCESS, OLEDB, SAP, ODBC, DIRECT, OLEDB.NET, Azure BLOB, and OData.
4Azure source typeOptional Azure source type associated with the connector.
5Do not store connection string in CFG.SSIS__ConfigurationsControls whether the connector connection string is written into the SSIS configuration table.
6Connection stringConnection string field for OLE DB-style connector types. The context menu can insert encrypted string aliases at the cursor position.
7TemplateInserts a connection string template for supported connector types such as MSSQL, ORACLE, EXCEL, ACCESS, SAP, and ODBC.
8Server name / Database nameDIRECT connector fields. Database name is required when saving a DIRECT connector.
9Server SQLCMD variable / Database SQLCMD variableDIRECT connector SQLCMD variable fields. Values are validated before saving.
10Storage account / Azure keyAzure BLOB connector fields used to connect to Azure Blob Storage.
11UrlOData service URL. Test connection appends the metadata endpoint when checking the service.
12AuthenticationOData authentication mode. Available values are None, Windows, and Basic.
13Login / PasswordOData credentials shown for Basic authentication. The password is encrypted before it is stored.
14Column names first rowCSV setting that marks the first row as column names. The default shown for CSV connectors is enabled.
15Unicode / Locale / Code pageCSV encoding and locale settings. CSV defaults include Unicode disabled, locale English, and code page 1252.
16Format / Text qualifierCSV format and text qualifier settings. The default format is 0.
17Header row delimiter / Header rows to skipCSV header parsing settings. Delimiters support {CR}, {LF}, and {t} notation.
18Row delimiter / Column delimiterCSV row and column delimiters. Defaults are {CR}{LF} for row delimiter and semicolon for column delimiter.
19Test connectionTests the current connector settings. DIRECT checks a target database query, Azure BLOB lists containers, OData requests metadata, SAP opens an SAP connection, ODBC opens an ODBC connection, and other database connectors open an OLE DB connection.
20SaveValidates and saves connector metadata, then refreshes the repository navigation tree.
21CancelReturns to the previous page. If there are unsaved changes, AnalyticsCreator asks whether to save or cancel the navigation.

List behavior

  • The connectors list filters by connector name, connector type id, connection string, locale, code page, or format.
  • The list grid shows ConnectorName, ConnectorType, and ConnectionString.
  • Double-clicking a connector row opens the selected connector in the Connector detail page.
  • New opens the Connector detail page for a new connector. Delete removes the selected connector after confirmation.

Connector actions

  • The Connectors node provides Refresh, List connectors, Add connector, Import connector from file, and Import connector from cloud.
  • A selected connector provides Set diagram filter, Add to diagram filter, Edit connector, Delete connector, DWH Wizard, Refresh used sources, Refresh all sources, Export connector to file, and Export connector to cloud.
  • Below a connector, the navigation tree exposes Sources and Source references.
  • Refresh used sources refreshes source metadata for used sources. Refresh all sources refreshes source metadata for all sources under the connector.

Related topics