How Client-side Pooling Works

The server processes within a pool are divided into one or more puddles. A puddle is a group of server processes that are accessible to a specific user group and that connect to SAS by using a single set of credentials called the puddle login.

The metadata administrator might choose to create several puddles to control the data that users are authorized to access. Because the SAS server uses the puddle login both to connect to the metadata and to run the server process, this authorization (access control) can be applied in the metadata or on the physical data (by using file system authorization). For example, the metadata administrator might give one puddle Read and Write access to a table on an IOM server, although giving another puddle only Read access.

Another reason for using multiple puddles is to control how available the server processes are for different users. If you are a member of only one puddle access group, then you can access only those connections. If you are a member of multiple puddle access groups, then you have access to more connections.