Build Pipelines with Live Cosmos DB Data in Google Cloud Data Fusion (via CData Connect Cloud)

Google Cloud Data Fusion simplifies building and managing data pipelines by offering a visual interface to connect, transform, and move data across various sources and destinations, streamlining data integration processes. When combined with CData Connect Cloud, it provides access to Cosmos DB data for building and managing ELT/ETL data pipelines. This article explains how to use CData Connect Cloud to create a live connection to Cosmos DB and how to connect and access live Cosmos DB data from the Cloud Data Fusion platform.

Configure Cosmos DB Connectivity for Cloud Data Fusion

Connectivity to Cosmos DB from Cloud Data Fusion is made possible through CData Connect Cloud. To work with Cosmos DB data from Cloud Data Fusion, we start by creating and configuring a Cosmos DB connection.

1. Log into Connect Cloud, click Sources, and then click Add Connection

2. Select "Cosmos DB" from the Add Connection panel

3. Enter the necessary authentication properties to connect to Cosmos DB.

   To obtain the connection string needed to connect to a Cosmos DB account using the SQL API, log in to the Azure Portal, select Azure Cosmos DB, and select your account. In the Settings section, click Connection String and set the following values:

   • AccountEndpoint: The Cosmos DB account URL from the Keys blade of the Cosmos DB account
   • AccountKey: In the Azure portal, navigate to the Cosmos DB service and select your Azure Cosmos DB account. From the resource menu, go to the Keys page. Find the PRIMARY KEY value and set AccountKey to this value.
   
4. Click Create & Test
5. Navigate to the Permissions tab in the Add Cosmos DB Connection page and update the User-based permissions.

Add a Personal Access Token

When connecting to Connect Cloud through the REST API, the OData API, or the Virtual SQL Server, a Personal Access Token (PAT) is used to authenticate the connection to Connect Cloud. It is best practice to create a separate PAT for each service to maintain granularity of access.

1. Click on the Gear icon () at the top right of the Connect Cloud app to open the settings page.
2. On the Settings page, go to the Access Tokens section and click Create PAT.
3. Give the PAT a name and click Create.
4. The personal access token is only visible at creation, so be sure to copy it and store it securely for future use.

With the connection configured and a PAT generated, you are ready to connect to Cosmos DB data from Cloud Data Fusion.

Connecting to Cosmos DB from Cloud Data Fusion

Follow these steps to establish a connection from Cloud Data Fusion to Cosmos DB through the CData Connect Cloud JDBC driver:

1. Download and install the CData Connect Cloud JDBC driver:
   1. Open the Integrations page of CData Connect Cloud.
   2. Search for and select JDBC.
   3. Download and run the setup file.
   4. When the installation is complete, copy the JAR file(cdata.jdbc.connect.jar) from the installation directory (e.g., C:\Program Files\CData\JDBC Driver for CData Connect\lib).
2. Log into Cloud Data Fusion.
3. Click the green "+" button at the top right to add an entity.
4. Under Driver, click Upload.
5. Now, upload the CData Connect Cloud JDBC driver (JAR file).
6. Enter the driver settings:
   • Name: Enter the name of the driver
   • Class name: Enter "cdata.jdbc.connect.ConnectDriver"
   • Version: Enter the driver version
   • Description (optional): Enter a description for the driver
7. Click on Finish.
8. Enter source configuration settings:
   • Label: Helps to identify the connection
   • JDBC driver name: Enter the JDBC driver name to identify the driver configured in Step 6.
   • Connection string: Enter the JDBC connection string, for example:

     jdbc:connect:AuthScheme=Basic;user=username;password=PAT;

   • User: Enter your CData Connect Cloud username, displayed in the top-right corner of the CData Connect Cloud interface. For example, "[email protected]"
   • Password: Enter the PAT you generated on the Settings page.
9. Click Validate in the top right corner.
10. If the connection is successful, you can manage the pipeline by editing it through the UI.
11. Run the pipepline created.

Troubleshooting

Please be aware that there is a known issue in Cloud Data Fusion where "int" types from source data are automatically cast as "long".

Live Access to Cosmos DB Data from Cloud Applications

Now you have a direct connection to live Cosmos DB data from from Google Cloud Data Fusion. You can create more connections to ensure a smooth movement of data across various sources and destinations, thereby streamlining data integration processes - all without replicating Cosmos DB data.

To get real-time data access to 100+ SaaS, Big Data, and NoSQL sources (including Cosmos DB) directly from your cloud applications, explore the CData Connect Cloud.