This document discusses exposing SQL data through SharePoint's Business Connectivity Services (BCS). BCS allows SQL data that typically only has access through a LAN and SQL authentication to be exposed securely through SharePoint's web interface using various authentication options. The document outlines how BCS can be used to create list views, forms, and expose SQL data to tools like Excel and search for querying and analysis without needing direct database access. It also discusses some limitations and provides references for further information.

1. Exposing SQL data with SharePoint
Business Connectivity Services
Scott Brickey, SharePoint Practice Manager
www.sds-consulting.com

2. About Us
SDS provides SharePoint solutions
Agile development and SharePoint experience create an
optimal solution for your unique SharePoint needs.
• Business Intelligence : Self service, team, and enterprise
• Collaboration, Content Management
• Intranets, Portals, and Public Websites
• Workflow + forms = application
Agile Practices for proven faster delivery, higher quality, & increased business value.

3. A Brief Forward
• Focus on the subject
– Feel free to ask questions
• Slides are available online
www.sbrickey.com/Tech/Calendar
www.sds-consulting.com
www.slideshare.net/Scott_Brickey/SQL-Saturday-Columbus-2014-
Exposing-SQL-data-with-SharePoint

4. Some quick question…

5. Quick Survey
• Who is currently using: SharePoint 2007

6. Quick Survey
• Who is currently using: SharePoint 2010

7. Quick Survey
• Who is currently using: SharePoint 2013

8. Exposing SQL Data
This a GOOD thing?
Data

9. Exposing SQL Data : The Need
• Often, data in SQL has no UI
– Control tables for custom apps
• Searching beyond the application’s ability
– LIKE vs FULLTEXT
– Based on a JOIN, or external data
• Data analysis
– What do you mean I need to “wait for the BI team”

10. Exposing SQL Data : The Problems
• Only accessible via LAN
– 1433 should not be exposed
• Authentication options are limited
– Windows or SQL only
• Limited tools / functionality
– JOINs? Good luck!

11. Exposing SQL Data : SP Solutions
• SharePoint is a WEB based platform
– Port 80/443
– Multiple authentication (identity) options
• Windows/Kerberos, LDAP
• Local database (SqlMembershipProvider)
• Claims Based Auth (SAML, OpenID, OAuth, Federation)
• Control the access to data
– How will user auth to SQL? (Kerb, stored creds, etc)
– What data / objects is exposed (Table, View, Sproc)
– Row/Record based security? Sure!

12. SharePoint : A brief overview

13. SharePoint : A Brief Overview
• Front-End : Web Applications
– “URLs”
• Back-End : Service Applications
– Business Connectivity Services
• Bring data from an external system into SharePoint
• Extensible for various backend systems
• Built-in support for SQL
– Secure Store
• Password vault
– Search
– Workflow

14. SharePoint : A Brief Overview
http://SharePoint
Service Applications
• Business Connectivity Services
• Secure Store
• Search
• Workflow
REST

15. Authentication Options
• Kerberos
– May require special configuration
• Impersonation / Stored Credentials
– SQL User
– Windows User
– Per person or group (first match)
• SharePoint BCS Service Account

16. Data Queries
• SELECT *  List Views
• SELECT PK  ID Enumerator
• SELECT 1  Display Form
• INSERT
• UPDATE
• DELETE
• Foreign Key  Association
• BLOB / Stream Accessor  Attachment
• Security Trimmer  Row based permission
• Event Subscriber  Workflow / Alert notification
Event Unsubscriber

17. Search Indexing
• Columns  Crawled Properties
– On their own: Meaningless
• Crawled Properties  Managed Properties
– Searchable: data included in search index
– Queryable: field can be filtered specifically
• Like adding “site:Microsoft.com” to Google search
– Retrievable: can be displayed in search results
– Refinable: can be included in Refinement Panel

18. Exposing via Excel
• Downloads owssvr.iqy
– Just a data connection

19. Exposing via PowerPivot

20. Exposing via PowerPivot
• http://sharepoint/_api/web/lists/
getByTitle(‘listName')/items?param1&param2
– select=columnA which fields are returned
– filter=Presenter eq ‘SBrickey’
– top=100 Returns only the first n items
– skip=10 Skips the first n items
– orderby Sort the data

21. Exposing via Search + REST
• http://sharepoint/_api/search/query
– querytext=‘abc’
– selectproperties=‘columnA,column’
• add headers
“Accept” = “application/json; odata=verbose”

22. What does it look like?
Building the connection / model

24. Unsupported Data Types
• Spatial (Geography)
• HierarchyId

25. References
• BDC Model file
http://sbrickey.codeplex.com/SourceControl/latest#Samples/SharePoint/Business
Connectivity Services/AdventureWorks.Production.Product.bdcm
• PowerShell script
http://sbrickey.codeplex.com/SourceControl/latest#Samples/SharePoint/API - Web
Services/Lists ASMX to query AdventureWorks Products.ps1

26. Questions?

27. MORE INFORMATION
• Strategic Data Systems
http://sds-consulting.com
Lunch and Learn sessions
• SharePoint Library
http://sdsSharePointLibrary.codeplex.com/
• Scott Brickey
http://www.sbrickey.com