Configure Connection
Microsoft SQL Server guide
Prepare SQL Server account permissions, configure the server and database in NIM, and test the database connection.
Before you startDirect link to Before you start
Follow Microsoft's database user setup instructions to authorize the account NIM will use. A server login and a database user are distinct: for a login-based connection, map the login to a user in the target database and grant that user the required permissions.
NIM requires the server hostname, database, and a service account or explicit credentials.
Prepare the login and database userDirect link to Prepare the login and database user
- Choose the connection identity: the account running the NIM service for Windows authentication, or credentials specified in the connection settings.
- Have the SQL Server administrator create or select the appropriate login and map it to a user in the database NIM will access, following Microsoft's guide linked above.
- In SQL Server Management Studio, the database user can be created under Databases > your database > Security > New > User. Choose the user type matching your authentication method and associate it with the intended login.
- Grant the database user access to the tables or views needed for collection. For source data, grant the required read permissions; authorize any intended create, update, or delete operations separately.
- Confirm that the NIM server can reach the SQL Server instance.
Enter the connection settingsDirect link to Enter the connection settings
- In NIM Studio, open Systems > Overview and add a Microsoft SQL Server system, or select the existing system.
- Open its Connection screen.
- Enter the following settings and save the connection.
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Server hostname | The hostname of the SQL Server instance NIM will access, including instance or port details where required by your deployment. |
| Database | The name of the target SQL Server database. |
| Service account or credentials | Use the NIM service account for Windows authentication, or enter the username and password for the configured credential-based connection. The selected identity must have access to the target database. |
When using Windows authentication, verify permissions for the actual Windows account running the NIM service, rather than the account used to sign in to NIM Studio.
Test the database connectionDirect link to Test the database connection
- Select Test Connection. NIM attempts to open a connection to the configured SQL Server database.
- Confirm that the connection opens successfully. If it fails, check the server hostname, instance or port, database, authentication settings, service identity or credentials, and network access.
- Collect the system and inspect the expected tables or query results.
- If connection succeeds but collection fails, check the database user's permissions on the required objects and the configured query.
- Validate the collected records and matching rules before using SQL Server as source or supplemental data for automation.
A successful connection test does not confirm access to every table or operation. Validate collection and any intended writes separately.