Database Connection Tips

The following fields are used for connecting to most databases:

The Server field corresponds to the host name for the server. Some databases use connection information that is similar to ODBC. These databases often request a data source name instead of the combination of server and port. See the following sections for connection details for databases that have unique fields.

Most fields are case sensitive. For example, specifying a value of products in the Database field might not be the same as specifying PRODUCTS. Case sensitivity depends on the database vendor. Furthermore, some databases use schemas. Some databases automatically use the user ID as the schema if a schema is not explicitly specified. Be aware that the User ID and Schema fields can be case sensitive. Check with your database administrator if you are unsure.

SAS Visual Analytics offers self-service options for importing data from Cloudera Hadoop, Hortonworks Data Platform, and InfoSphere BigInsights. Each of these platforms requires separate setup by your administrator.

A common connection type for all of these platforms is to connect to Hive or HiveServer2 and then import tables. The SAS system options field can be used to specify environment variables such as the following:

set=SAS_HADOOP_JAR_PATH="/path/to/files"

The options keyword is submitted with any options that you specify in the field.

If the Hadoop cluster is configured with the SAS Embedded Process, then you can perform parallel loading from HDFS to SAS LASR Analytic Server. In this case, the Configuration field must specify the path to a Hadoop configuration file. You must also specify at least the HDFS_METADIR= and HDFS_DATADIR= options in the Hadoop options field. More options might be necessary for your site. For information about setting up parallel loading from Hadoop, see SAS Visual Analytics: Administration Guide.

The Schema field is not case sensitive when you browse for tables, but it is case sensitive when the import is performed. As a result, if you specify a schema in the wrong case, you can successfully browse for a table, and then select it in the Choose a Table window. However, the import fails. In this case, contact your database administrator for assistance with the schema name.

The Teradata Management Server field is used to determine whether the SAS LASR Analytic Server is co-located on the data appliance. If the SAS LASR Analytic Server and the Teradata database are on the same data appliance, then make sure that the Teradata Management Server field includes the host name that the SAS LASR Analytic Server uses.

SAS Visual Analytics and the Teradata database can be configured to transfer data in parallel when they are not co-located on the same data appliance. For information about setting up parallel loading, see SAS Visual Analytics: Administration Guide.