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Azure SQL database connection setup

Overview​

Accelerator connects to Azure SQL database using the SQL Server database connector. Connecting to a Azure SQL database is a non-native connection. You may need to adjust firewall settings to connect. Contact MessageGears support for assistance.

Setup​

To create a new Azure SQL Database connection:

  1. Navigate to Admin > Data > Database Connections.

  2. Select Create Connection.

  3. Assign one or more Brands to the connection, if Brands are enabled on your instance.

  4. In Database Type, select SQL Server.

  5. Fill out the connection parameters:

    • Name - A descriptive name for the Database Connection. This name will display throughout Accelerator anytime a User can select a Database Connection.
    • Host Name - The fully qualified server name for your Azure SQL Database, e.g. <server-name>.database.windows.net.
    • Port - The port used to connect to the database. The default SQL Server port is 1433.
    • User Name and Password - SQL authentication credentials for a login with access to the target database. We suggest creating a dedicated login for this connection so you can monitor how Accelerator is querying and interacting with your database.
    • File Storage - Optional. Select an existing Cloud File Storage location to pair with this connection (see the Audience Recording note below).
    • Purposes - Controls where this connection can be used.

  6. Optionally, toggle Enable Defaults & Advanced Options to configure Connection Defaults (Default Table, Default Schema, Default Catalog, Default Unique Id Column, Default Preference Column, Default Email Column) and Channel Defaults (Push App, Default Push Address Column, Default Push Service Column).

    info

    Default Catalog is required once Advanced Options are enabled for a SQL Server connection.

  7. Optionally, toggle Make this my default connection so this connection is automatically selected (when applicable) when creating new items within Accelerator.

  8. Select Test Connection to verify the connection before saving, then select Create.

Networking

Azure SQL Database's firewall must allow inbound connections from Accelerator before a connection or connection test will succeed. Work with your Azure administrator to add the appropriate firewall rule for Accelerator's IP address(es).

Audience Recording on Azure SQL database​

Because Azure SQL database is a non-native connection, attach a Cloud File Storage location to the connection using the File Storage field above — Audience Recording output for this connection will be written to that location rather than loaded into Azure SQL database automatically. See Creating a new Audience Recording for more on setting up Audience Recording.