This page will explain what connections are and how to manage them in Test Data Manager.

What is a connection?

A connection in TDM is:

• A link to a database.
• Coordinates and credentials to this entity.

Once created, a connection allows you to model databases, run treatments and create workflows.

Supported platforms

At the moment, cloud servers e.g. Azure databases are not supported.

The currently supported platforms for database servers are:

• Microsoft SQL Server
• Postgres
• MySQL
• Oracle

Managing connections

This section will cover how to view, add, edit and remove connections.

The Connections Page

The connections page can be accessed via the Connections link in the navigation drawer.

There, you will be greeted with a page that looks like this

The page features:

• A list of connections, each with an actions button
• A button to add new connections, level with the page heading.

Adding a connection

To add a connection, click the "Add connection" button. This will open the add connection sidebar.

Connection details

To connect to a database or instance, you need to provide connection details. You can choose to either provide individual parameters...

...or a connection string

The credentials provided should have enough permissions to perform the actions you plan on doing with them:

• Workflows: sysadmin or superuser privileges.
• Run treatments: See the anonymize and subset connection requirements.
• Database model: See the classify connection requirements.

Testing the connection

All connection types feature a connection testing feature. This will use the credentials you have provided and attempt to connect to the server and check that you have sufficient permissions to perform the typical operations that must be performed on connections.

The test connection button does not currently check your access to file shares.

Saving the connection

To save the connection, you will need to provide it with a name.

Unsaved / temporary connections

In some parts of TDM, you will be able to use a connection without saving it. This connection will then be used for whatever operation you are currently using it for (database model, treatment etc.), then it will be disposed of.

To do this, just leave the save option unchecked when you press confirm.

This will then show as an unsaved connection at the top of your connection list.

You can go back and edit this connection with the "Edit connection" button if necessary.

Editing connections

To edit an existing connection, find it in the connections list and click the actions (⁝) button, then click Edit.

You will be provided with a simplified version of the add connection sidebar.

Obfuscated fields

Note that some fields will be greyed out and either fully or partially obfuscated.

This is done for security, as we do not want to fetch and expose credentials.

If untouched, these fields will remain unchanged when the save button is pressed.

If you need to update the credentials, you will need to click the edit (pencil) button, which will clear the field and allow you to enter it again.

Deleting a connection

Similarly to editing a connection, deleting is done by finding your connection in the list clicking the actions (⁝) button, then clicking Delete.

Deleting a connection will prevent users from being able to use workflows that rely on it.