What’s New in SAS Scalable Performance Data Server

Beginning with SAS SPD Server 5.3, SPD Server supports secure sockets communication by using Transport Layer Security (TLS), the successor to Secure Sockets Layer Security (SSL). TLS and SSL are cryptographic protocols that are designed to provide communication security. TLS and SSL provide network data privacy by encrypting client/server communication. In addition, TLS performs client and server authentication, and it uses message authentication codes to ensure data integrity.

In the initial release, TLS is supported in the SAS client only. SAS client use of TLS is enabled with the SPDSRSSL macro variable. For more information, see SPDSRSSL Macro Variable. UNIX clients must also specify an appropriate path for the SSLCALISTLOC= system option. This system option is typically set by the server administrator in a configuration file.

The new language driver enables you to read and write SPD Server tables with the SAS DS2 Language and the SAS FedSQL Language, both of which were introduced with SAS 9.4. The driver is enabled in SPD Server SAS clients by specifying the LIBGEN=YES option in the SPD Server LIBNAME statement. You submit DS2 language statements to the server by using the DS2 procedure. You submit FedSQL language statements by using the FEDSQL procedure. For more information, see Using the SAS DS2 and FedSQL Languages with SPD Server and LIBGEN= LIBNAME Statement Option.

Beginning in February of 2017, SPD Server tables can be accessed for reading, writing, and update by SAS Federation Server. SAS Federation Server is a data server that provides scalable, threaded, multi-user, and standards-based data access technology in order to process and seamlessly integrate data from multiple data sources. The server acts as a hub that provides clients with data by accessing, managing, and sharing SAS data as well as several popular relational databases. SAS Federation Server enables powerful querying capabilities, as well as centralized data source management. With SAS Federation Server, you can efficiently unite data from many sources, without moving or copying the data. For more information about how SPD Server tables are accessed with SAS Federation Server, see SAS Federation Server: Administrator’s Guide.