Your First Connection
This guide walks you through connecting to a database for the first time. We'll use SQL Server as an example, but the process is similar for all supported databases.
Before You Begin
You'll need the following information from your database administrator:
- Server address: The hostname or IP address of your database server
- Database name: The specific database you want to connect to
- Authentication: Either Windows Authentication or SQL Server credentials
Creating a Connection
- Open Connection Manager
Click Data Bridge → Connections. - Add new connection
Click + New Connection. - Select database type
Choose SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, etc. from the dropdown. - Enter connection details
Fill in server address, database name, and credentials. - Test the connection
Click Test Connection to verify. You should see a green checkmark. - Save the connection
Give it a friendly name (e.g., "Production Sales DB") and click Save.
Tip: Use Windows Authentication when possible—it's more secure and doesn't require storing passwords.
Connection Examples
| Database | Server Format | Default Port |
|---|---|---|
| SQL Server | server.company.com | 1433 |
| PostgreSQL | postgres.company.com | 5432 |
| MySQL | mysql.company.com | 3306 |
| Snowflake | account.snowflakecomputing.com | 443 |
Troubleshooting
- "Unable to connect": Verify the server address and check your network connection.
- "Login failed": Check username and password. For Windows Auth, ensure you're on the domain.
- "Timeout": The server may be under heavy load. Try increasing timeout in Advanced Settings.
Once connected, you're ready to load your first data!