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SQL Server database connection setup

Overview​

Accelerator connects to SQL Server databases using the SQL Server database connector. Connecting to a SQL Server database is a non-native connection. If your SQL Server instance is configured within Azure, you may need to adjust firewall settings to connect. Contact MessageGears support for assistance.

Setup​

To create a new SQL Server 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 server address for your SQL Server instance.
    • 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).

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    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

Ensure your SQL Server instance's firewall or network security rules allow inbound connections from Accelerator before a connection or connection test will succeed.

Audience Recording on SQL Server​

Because a SQL Server connection 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 the SQL Server database automatically. See Creating a new Audience Recording for more on setting up Audience Recording.