Configure Connection

Snowflake guide

Install the ODBC driver, prepare account and role access, and configure and test the Snowflake connection in NIM.

Before you startDirect link to Before you start

This integration requires the Snowflake ODBC driver on the NIM server.

The current NIM connection requires Hostname, Database, Schema, Warehouse, Role, Username, and Password.

Confirm unattended authentication compatibility

Snowflake is retiring password-only sign-ins for service users. Users of type SERVICE cannot authenticate with a password. Check your account's enforcement status and confirm an authentication method supported by both Snowflake and your NIM connector version before configuring unattended collection. The password fields below describe the current connector settings; they do not establish support for a different authentication method. See Snowflake's authentication rollout guidance.

Prepare the Snowflake ODBC driverDirect link to Prepare the Snowflake ODBC driver

Download and install the Snowflake ODBC driver for the architecture used by the NIM connector.
Confirm the installation on the NIM server before configuring the system.
Obtain the Snowflake account hostname, database, schema, warehouse, and role required for your process.

Arrange the connection identityDirect link to Arrange the connection identity

Have your Snowflake administrator provision an identity and authentication method compatible with the connector and your account's policies. Confirm that the selected role can use the warehouse, database, and schema, and read the intended tables or views. Authorize intended writes separately.

User creation exampleDirect link to User creation example

The following example demonstrates human-user onboarding, including a required first-login password change. It is not an unattended service-user authentication configuration. In a worksheet, use an administrative role authorized to create users and replace the sample identity, password, warehouse, and role values:

CREATE USER john_doe
  TYPE = PERSON
  PASSWORD = 'REPLACE_WITH_A_SECURE_TEMPORARY_PASSWORD'
  LOGIN_NAME = 'johndoe@example.com'
  DISPLAY_NAME = 'John Doe'
  FIRST_NAME = 'John'
  LAST_NAME = 'Doe'
  EMAIL = 'johndoe@example.com'
  MUST_CHANGE_PASSWORD = TRUE
  DEFAULT_WAREHOUSE = 'COMPUTE_WH'
  DEFAULT_ROLE = 'ANALYST';

Setting DEFAULT_ROLE does not grant that role. An administrator authorized to assign the role must also run:

GRANT ROLE ANALYST TO USER john_doe;

The warehouse and role must exist. Complete the required password change and human-user authentication setup before using this account interactively. For unattended NIM use, arrange the compatible integration identity described above.

See Snowflake's CREATE USER reference. The example uses CREATE USER so an existing user is not replaced.

Enter the connection settingsDirect link to Enter the connection settings

After confirming authentication compatibility:

In NIM Studio, open Systems > Overview and add a Snowflake system, or select the existing system.
Open its Connection screen.
Enter the following settings and save the connection.

NIM setting	Value
Hostname	The Snowflake account hostname for the intended environment.
Database	The target database name.
Schema	The schema containing the tables or views to collect.
Warehouse	The warehouse available to the connection role for queries.
Role	A role explicitly granted to the connection user with the required access.
Username	The login name of the account approved for this connection.
Password	The current password, where password authentication remains supported by the account policy and connector.

Step 1 of 4