How To: Fast Deployment of Metadata Loaders in Connect

[KaterinaR]

How To: Fast Deployment of Metadata Loaders in Connect

In this article, you will learn how to use and configure the metadata loaders in Connect. Until now, you probably have used the metadata loaders only from Designer, as described here.

Prerequisites

• To use loaders from Designer, you have to download the loaders installers, install the loaders and then you can start using them. Unlike Designer, the loaders in Connect can be used directly as they are already part. However, for the actual execution of the loaders, a Gallery with connectivity back to Connect is needed.
• There must be two-way visibility between Connect and Server.

Procedure

Let’s assume that you as an administrator need to fill up the Connect with metadata. You will need only Connect and Gallery as already mentioned.To load data to Connect directly, perform the following steps:

1. Go to the Administration Console > Admin Menu > Connect Configuration > Alteryx Gallery.
2. In the Alteryx Gallery specify the Gallery name, Gallery URL, Gallery password, Connect loader username and Connect loader password. This is a mandatory step. Save and Harvest will upload loaders package onto a Gallery server and at the same moment, it will start the Gallery (Alteryx Loader).
3. Click Test Connection to verify the username and password. If there is a checkbox on Do not obtain the API keys automatically, you need to enter them manually.
4. Click Save and Harvest. Once you press Save and Harvest, the workflows will start getting loaded. This will be indicated by a message visible in the left bottom corner of the page. This is the first sign that the connection between the server and Connect works. Wait until it’s done.
   
   
   
   
   
   Note: Authentication
   
   • You can choose from two Gallery authentication types. With Built-in authentication, you have to enter your Gallery username and password while adding an Alteryx Gallery. By choosing Integrated Windows authentication, you have to enter your domain username and password.
   • You have to enable the Admin API keys in Gallery. See the screenshot below.
     Go to Alteryx Gallery > Settings > Keys. Enable Admin API by checking Yes.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
5. Go to Administration Console > Admin Menu > Connections. You should see the Gallery you just added and its details.
6. Under Loaders, click Add Connection.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Note:By clicking Harvest in the Gallery Connection you have the possibility to start the Harvest immediately.
   Note 2:By clicking Schedule in the Gallery Connection you have the possibility to set up a regular harvest.
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. You will get a list of loaders, and you can select the corresponding one in the first section:Technology.
   
   
   
   
   
   
8. After selecting the Technology, you will be moved to Properties. In this section, you need to fill in the required Connection details and choose objects to load, based on the Technology you have selected. Do not forget to provide Administrator credentials under Alteryx Connect Credentials.
   Note: For each technology, you need to fulfill the loader requirements. More information about each loader is accessible through the link displayed in the Properties section.
9. As an example, we selected the File system as a Technology. After filling in all the required information in Properties, click Add.
   
   
   
   
   
   
10. After clicking Add, you can see the following screen with the available Connection. Click Harvest.
    
    
    
    
    
    
11. A window pops up. Click Harvest.
    
    
    

By performing the previous steps, you harvested the data into Connect without even opening Designer. To view the metadata, go to Data Sources and select a folder to view its contents.

Troubleshooting

If you get an error message during the harvest, go to Gallery to see the detailed log to find the cause of the issue.