Query Active Directory Data in MySQL Workbench

MySQL Workbench allows users to administer MySQL environments and gain better visibility into databases. When paired with CData Connect (on-premise or Connect Server), you get live access to Active Directory data as if it were a MySQL database. This article shows how to create a virtual database for Active Directory in Connect and work with live Active Directory data in MySQL Workbench.

Create a Virtual MySQL Database for Active Directory Data

CData Connect uses a straightforward, point-and-click interface to connect to data sources and generate APIs.

1. Login to Connect and click Connections.
2. Select "Active Directory" from Available Data Sources.
3. Enter the necessary authentication properties to connect to Active Directory.

   To establish a connection, set the following properties:

   • Valid User and Password credentials (e.g., Domain\BobF or cn=Bob F,ou=Employees,dc=Domain).
   • Server information, including the IP or host name of the Server, as well as the Port.

   • BaseDN: This will limit the scope of LDAP searches to the height of the distinguished name provided.

     Note: Specifying a narrow BaseDN may greatly increase performance; for example, cn=users,dc=domain will only return results contained within cn=users and its children.

4. Click Save Changes
5. Click Privileges -> Add and add the new user (or an existing user) with the appropriate permissions.

With the virtual database created, you are ready to connect to Active Directory from MySQL Workbench.

Query Active Directory from MySQL Workbench

The steps below outline connecting to the virtual Active Directory database in Connect from MySQL Workbench and issuing basic queries to work with live Active Directory data.

Connect to Active Directory through Connect

1. In MySQL Workbench, click to add a new MySQL connection.
2. Name the connection (CData Connect).
3. Set the Hostname, Port, and Username parameters to connect to the SQL Gateway.
4. Click Store in Vault to set and store the password.
5. Click Test Connection to ensure the connection is configured properly and click OK.

Query Active Directory Data

1. Open the connection you just created (CData Connect).
2. Click File -> New Query Tab.
3. Write a SQL query to retrieve Active Directory data, like SELECT * FROM activedirectorydb.User;

With access to live Active Directory data from MySQL Workbench, you can easily query and update Active Directory, just like you would a MySQL database. Request a demo of the CData Connect and start working with Active Directory just like a MySQL database today.