Alteryx Server Migration Issue – ODBC Connection Failures

Question

First, I used chatgpt to summarize my message so that's why it looks like this. Overview We are currently trying to migrate several hundred scheduled workflows from the legacy Alteryx Scheduler to Alteryx Server due to upcoming deprecation of the scheduler. During this migration effort, we are encountering failures when workflows are executed on the server. Issue Workflows that run successfully in Alteryx Designer are failing once published to Alteryx Server. The error indicates that the server cannot find or resolve the alias/connection being used in the workflow. Environment * Data source: Microsoft SQL Server * Connection type: ODBC * Authentication: Windows Authentication (Trusted Connection) * Designer setup:* ODBC connections are configured locally within Designer * Connections rely on saved DSNs or connection strings Example connection string: odbc:DRIVER={ODBC Driver 17 for SQL Server};DATABASE=;SERVER=;Trusted_Connection=yes * Alteryx Server:* Workflows are published and scheduled through Server * DCM (Data Connection Manager):* Not currently in use Observed Behavior * Workflows run successfully in Designer * After publishing to Server:* Jobs fail during execution * Errors state that the ODBC alias/connection cannot be found * The issue appears related to how connections are defined and accessed on the server Request for Assistance We are looking for guidance on the following: * How does Alteryx Server resolve ODBC connections used in workflows? * Do ODBC DSNs need to be configured directly on the Server (or worker nodes) for workflows to run successfully? * What is the recommended best practice for SQL Server connections in an Alteryx Server environment (DSN, DSN-less, or DCM)? * Would implementing DCM help resolve these connection issues and improve scalability? * How does Alteryx Server handle Windows Authentication (Trusted Connections)? Are specific Run-As or service account configurations required? * Given the volume of workflows (several hundred), what is the recommended migration strategy to standardize connections and minimize rework?

fleenorg · Answer

Fernando,

Thanks for all your help. I'm just following up, I was able to get workflows to run in alteryx server finally! Syncing connections and everything. You seem to be very knowledgeable on server so I did have a follow up question.

If this is outside the scope at this point lmk and I will make a new post.

1.  Do I need to add all the users at my company who will need permission to run select workflows in their collections to user groups in alteryx server? We do have active directory connected to control what "collections" they can currently view.

2. If yes, Do all these users need to have DCM connections populated when they open alteryx server? I was just trying to set up an employee and he is only a viewer, but when trying to run a workflow in his collection, it said access denied. I added him to a created group within alteryx server (Not an AD group), and once I added him, the DCM connections populated for him, and then he was able to run the workflow in server. I'm confused why it is set up this way, I had to manually add him to the group to get DCM connections, is there a way to do this through the Active directory?

Let me know if that makes sense.

fmvizcaino · Answer

Hi @fleenorg ,

Yes, you can set up DCM and update the workflows when you feel like it. If you have the DSN configured in your Server machine, you can even publish the workflows to the server as is and update the connection to DCM whenever you want.

As a server admin, you can configure how the sync works.

https://help.alteryx.com/current/en/server/configure/system-settings/dcm---server.html#id661865

AFAIK, the sync still needs to be manually triggered by the Designer user and depending on your configuration, the sync will happen from Designer to Server, Server to Designer or both ways.

Best,

Fernando

fleenorg · Answer

Fernando,

Thanks for the reply. I agree that I need to convert my connections to DCM, that would kill two birds with one stone. Is it possible to set up DCM, but not make all the currently scheduled workflows use it? Because we would then have to immediately to replace all the connectors they currently have set up. Basically, I'm asking can we set up DCM and then just change it for workflows as we move them to alteryx server?

The other thing I'm also confused about is how you use DCM with Server; do I need the DCM to be identical on Designer and Server? Is there a way to sync them? I'm confused how you go about that.