Choosing the Best Method to Connect Active Directory to SQL Server: 5 Options Explained

Integrating SQL Server with other systems or applications like Active Directory is essential for modern businesses to leverage their data effectively as it centralizes data management and streamlines operations.

A developer, solution architect, or business user looking to connect their organization's application to SQL Server for improved data analysis or streamlined processes should consider these key questions before selecting a solution:

• Can I build this integration myself?
• Does the application data need to be written to SQL Server?
• Will a linked server be used to virtually access SQL Server?
• Is this part of a broader data analysis platform?
• Will it serve for data integration or business automation?

CData Software's product portfolio addresses all these concerns, offering robust integration solutions to SQL Server that simplify the process.

In this article, we explore five methods provided by CData for connecting to and utilizing Active Directory data from SQL Server, while examining how each method suits specific business use cases.

For data integration and business automation: No-code integration between Active Directory and SQL Server with CData Arc

CData Arc is a server application designed to automate data integration across CData products. It facilitates API integration with SaaS, as well as file and database integration, using no-code and low-code approaches. This product aims to simplify the often-complex process of B2B integration, whether on the cloud or on-premise.

CData Arc comes with CData connectors, enabling seamless use of CData Drivers, which offer the industry's largest number of connection destinations. This allows you to support a wide range of data sources beyond Active Directory, all with a consistent user experience.

All editions of CData Arc feature a robust integration engine and a flexible licensing system tailored to the scale of use. This makes it ideal for first-time users of data integration tools or those seeking a low-code solution that fits their budget. Whether you need integration with SaaS, on-premise systems, or file integration, CData Arc can handle it all.

The integration logic you wish to implement can be configured using the CData Arc flow designer.

Required CData Product: CData Arc

Learn more: CData Arc integrates Shopify data with SQL Server

NOTE: The sample flow above features Shopify, but the same principles apply consistently across all data connectors in CData Arc.

Integrate cloud-based applications with SQL Server: Connect to Active Directory from SQL Server using Connect Cloud

When integrated with CData Connect Cloud, linked servers offer immediate access to cloud-based Active Directory data from your SQL Server database.

CData Connect Cloud provides a native SQL Server interface for Active Directory, enabling you to query Active Directory data without the need for replication to a supported database. With built-in optimized data processing, CData Connect Cloud pushes all supported SQL operations (such as filters, JOINs, etc.) directly to Active Directory, utilizing server-side processing to deliver Active Directory data efficiently and quickly.

Required CData Product: CData Connect Cloud

Learn more: Connect to Active Directory data as a SQL Server Linked Server

If you're good with SQL Server: Access Active Directory data as a linked server with SQL Gateway

SQL Server offers an integration feature called linked servers, which allows you to access other databases directly from SQL Server. By utilizing the CData SQL Gateway with the CData ODBC Driver for Active Directory, you can treat Active Directory data as a linked server within SQL Server. While the data isn't physically stored in SQL Server, you can query Active Directory data using SQL through the SQL Server interface.

Required CData Product: CData ODBC Drivers

Learn More: Connect to Active Directory data as a Linked Server

After configuring the standard ODBC Driver for the Active Directory DSN, launch SQL Gateway and set up the Active Directory DSN as an SQL Server service. By registering this service as a linked server in SSMS, you can query Active Directory data directly in SQL, making it ideal for referencing Active Directory data across multiple .NET client applications and performing JOINs with SQL Server data.

For those familiar with SQL Server linked servers, this is the easiest method to use. It offers the advantage of querying real-time Active Directory data and allows bi-directional linking, including writing, directly from SQL Server.

However, the only drawback is that the SQL Gateway must be hosted and managed on a server, which can incur high server hosting costs.

For SSIS users: Import Active Directory data into SQL Server with SSIS

Many SQL Server users rely on SSIS (SQL Server Integration Services) for data integration and workflow automation. CData provides an SSIS Component for Active Directory, enabling seamless connectivity between SSIS and Active Directory.

If you're an SSIS user, you can easily set up an import flow to SQL Server using the Active Directory Component. Priced similarly to the driver, it offers a cost-effective solution.

For users of ETL/EAI tools other than SSIS, CData Drivers provide a simple way to connect data. They are compatible with various ETL tools such as ASTERIA Warp, DataSpider, Informatica, and Waha! Transformer, RACCOON, Talend, and more. Active Directory and ETL integration articles listed here (including the Active Directory ETL, Replication & DWH Connection Guide), offer further guidance.

For ETL tool users, this option is cost-effective and easy to implement. You can integrate Active Directory by simply adding the driver to your existing tool.

Required CData Product: SSIS Components

Learn More: How to connect Active Directory to SQL Server with SSIS

Integrate into your data analytics infrastructure: Replicate Active Directory to SQL Server with CData Sync

If you're looking to connect Active Directory and SQL Server without coding, integrate data and use SQL Server as an analytical platform, we recommend CData Sync. This server-based ETL/ELT tool allows you to easily set up a replication job in just three steps after installation. You can also schedule tasks and customize replication settings, all through an intuitive GUI.

Required CData Product: CData Sync

Learn More: Automated Continuous Active Directory Replication to SQL Server

CData Sync is a no-code tool designed specifically for database synchronization, known for its ease of use and high scalability compared to other options. However, it comes at a higher cost than alternative methods.

Conclusion

CData offers a variety of products to integrate Active Directory with SQL Server. Here's a summary:

• CData Arc is ideal for automating business processes by connecting Active Directory to systems beyond SQL Server, such as cloud storage, accounting, and ERP.
• CData Connect Cloud is ideal for users whose business applications are cloud-based and need integration with SQL Server.
• SQL Gateway is perfect for users familiar with SQL Server who need real-time data, as it enables working with Active Directory data as a linked server to SQL Server.
• SSIS Components are recommended for those experienced with SSIS, allowing easy creation of SSIS import flows at a low cost.
• CData Sync is ideal for replicating Active Directory data to SQL Server without coding, making it perfect for building a data analysis platform on SQL Server.

Get Started Today

CData Software provides the best-in-the-segment products to meet a variety of business integration needs and use cases, as you've seen. All our products come with a 30-day free trial, allowing you to explore their features without any commitment.

Reach out to our Support Team if you have any questions.