Creating an Import Data Connection to a File Server

Not only can you import data from files hosted in an on-premise file server, but you can also export model data to a file. Let's explore the process for creating import data connections to file servers, where there are some additional configuration steps required.

Creating import data connections to file servers can be broken down into three key steps:

1. Install and configure SAP BTP cloud connector and SAP Analytics Cloud agent.
2. Create and modify file server location allowlist files for both import and export scenarios.
3. Update the Configuration Settings and create the import data connection in SAP Analytics Cloud.

As we covered the installation of the SAP BTP cloud connector and SAP Analytics Cloud agent earlier in the unit, we will start with step 2 of the process.

Users must have Read or Maintain privileges on the Connection permission in SAP Analytics Cloud in order to view models and stories created from this connection.

This step is completed by either the SAP system administrator or the network administrator. For importing data, only file server paths allowed by this file server location allowlist can be accessed when creating a model from a file or importing data from files. For exporting models, only file server paths allowed by this export file server location allowlist can be accessed when exporting a model.

The SAP Analytics Cloud Agent Simple Deployment Kit automates some of the configuration settings that must be done manually if there was a custom installation of the SAP BTP cloud connector and SAP Analytics Cloud agent. The settings for files server connections are an example of the settings that are preconfigured by the installation. The installation automatically creates the environment variable pointing to a sample allowlist.txt file that can be modified.

When the SAP Analytics Cloud Agent Simple Deployment Kit is used, the file server allowlist files must be updated following the instructions in the Post-Setup Guide. For manual installation, please refer to Allow Data Import and Model Export with a File Server.

It is possible to review the configuration settings by searching for Edit environment variables from the Start menu where the SAP Analytics Cloud Agent Simple Deployment Kit was installed. For example, under System variables double-clicking SAP_CLOUD_AGENT_FILE_SERVER_WHITELIST_PATH should display the value C:\Program Files\SAP\SACAgentKit\config\allowlist.txt.

Once the file server location allowlist.txt files have been configured, the administrator provides you with the Location and File Path for the folder, as you will need this information when creating the connection in SAP Analytics Cloud.

This step is completed by you, the SAP Analytics Cloud administrator. System Configuration settings are modified and a new connection is created in SAP Analytics Cloud.

In order to be able to import data from a file server and export models to a file server, there are two settings that must be enabled: Allow model import from File Server and Allow model export to File Server.

Data modelers can then use this connection to import data from the on-premise data source by creating new import models in SAP Analytics Cloud.

We will cover the steps in detail in the practice exercise for this lesson, however, using a file server as an on-premise data source example, let's take a look at the summary of the process flow.

1. In the side navigation menu, go to Connections.
2. Select Add Connection and select File Server from the Acquire Data options.
3. In New File Server Connection dialog, add a Name and Description in Connection Information.
4. In Connection Details add the following information, as provided by the SAP system administrator/network administrator:
   • Enter the Location.
   • Enter the file path for the folder in the Folder Path field.
5. Select Create. The new connection is added to the list of connections in the Connections area in SAP Analytics Cloud.

The source data can be a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet (.xlsx) or a delimited text file (.csv or .txt).

1. From the Modeler start page, select Model from the two Create New options.
2. Select Start with data.
3. Click Next.
4. In the Select a data source dialog, select File (Local File or File Server).
5. Under Choose File From, select File Server.
6. From the File Server Connection dropdown, select the connection that you created.
7. Select a file to import.

   If you're importing a .csv file, select which delimiter is used in the file.

8. Select Import. The data is imported into the modeler.