How to Query Live IBM Cloud Object Storage Data in Perplexity MacOS Desktop

Perplexity is an AI-powered research and answer engine that allows users to combine web search, structured data, and connected tools through a unified conversational interface. With Perplexity Desktop for macOS, users can bring local tools and data sources directly into their workflow using MCP, enabling fast, context-aware insights powered by live data.

Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an emerging, open-source standard for connecting LLMs with external services and enterprise data sources. Using MCP Servers, AI clients such as Perplexity Desktop can securely interact with applications and data, performing actions, retrieving live information, and enabling natural language access to data.

In this article, we guide you through installing the CData MCP Server for IBM Cloud Object Storage, configuring the connection to IBM Cloud Object Storage, and interacting with your live IBM Cloud Object Storage data from Perplexity Desktop.

Step 1: Download and install the CData MCP Server for IBM Cloud Object Storage

1. To begin, download the CData MCP Server for IBM Cloud Object Storage
2. Find and double-click the installer to begin the installation
3. Drag the CData MCP Server app into the Applications folder

When the installation is complete, you are ready to configure your MCP Server by connecting to IBM Cloud Object Storage.

NOTE: Since you downloaded the application from the internet and not the Apple App Store, you may see a warning that the application was not opened because Apple could not verify its security. You may continue with the installation.

Installing a trusted, unverified App

CData's solutions are trusted across the globe by some of the largest software vendors in the world. That said, if you have any concerns about continuing, please consult with your IT and/or security team.

1. In the warning message that pops up, click "Done"
2. Open "System Settings" on your machine and navigate to the "Privacy & Security" page

3. Scroll down to the "Security" section and click "Open Anyway"
4. Authorize the installation (passkey or password)

Step 2: Configure the Connection to IBM Cloud Object Storage

1. After installation, you can open the CData MCP Server for IBM Cloud Object Storage from the Applications folder on your mac
2. Click the dropdown menu in MCP Configuration > Configuration Name and select "new configuration"
3. Name the configuration (e.g. "cdata_ibmcloudobjectstorage") and click "OK"

4. Enter the appropriate connection properties in the configuration wizard.

   Register a New Instance of Cloud Object Storage

   If you do not already have Cloud Object Storage in your IBM Cloud account, follow the procedure below to install an instance of SQL Query in your account:

   1. Log in to your IBM Cloud account.
   2. Navigate to the page, choose a name for your instance and click Create. You will be redirected to the instance of Cloud Object Storage you just created.

   Connecting using OAuth Authentication

   There are certain connection properties you need to set before you can connect. You can obtain these as follows:

   API Key

   To connect with IBM Cloud Object Storage, you need an API Key. You can obtain this as follows:

   1. Log in to your IBM Cloud account.
   2. Navigate to the Platform API Keys page.
   3. On the middle-right corner click "Create an IBM Cloud API Key" to create a new API Key.
   4. In the pop-up window, specify the API Key name and click "Create". Note the API Key as you can never access it again from the dashboard.

   Cloud Object Storage CRN

   If you have multiple accounts, specify the CloudObjectStorageCRN explicitly. To find the appropriate value, you can:

   • Query the Services view. This will list your IBM Cloud Object Storage instances along with the CRN for each.
   • Locate the CRN directly in IBM Cloud. To do so, navigate to your IBM Cloud Dashboard. In the Resource List, Under Storage, select your Cloud Object Storage resource to get its CRN.

   Connecting to Data

   You can now set the following to connect to data:

   • InitiateOAuth: Set this to GETANDREFRESH. You can use InitiateOAuth to avoid repeating the OAuth exchange and manually setting the OAuthAccessToken.
   • ApiKey: Set this to your API key which was noted during setup.
   • CloudObjectStorageCRN (Optional): Set this to the cloud object storage CRN you want to work with. While the connector attempts to retrieve this automatically, specifying this explicitly is recommended if you have more than Cloud Object Storage account.

   When you connect, the connector completes the OAuth process.

   1. Extracts the access token and authenticates requests.
   2. Saves OAuth values in OAuthSettingsLocation to be persisted across connections.
   
5. Click "Connect" to authenticate with IBM Cloud Object Storage.
6. Click "Save Configuration" to save the MCP server

With your MCP Server configured, you are ready to connect it to Perplexity Desktop.

Step 3: Connect the MCP Server to Perplexity Desktop

1. Download the Perplexity Desktop application for macOS and sign in with your Pro or Premium account
2. Open Settings > Connectors. If the Perplexity Helper App is not installed, you will be prompted to download it. Install the Helper App, then restart Perplexity Desktop
3. After restarting, return to Settings > Connectors and click Add Connector
4. Select the Simple tab and assign a name for the connector (e.g., "CData IBM Cloud Object Storage MCP"). In the Command box, enter the absolute path to your MCP Server executable.

   For example:

   	/Applications/CData MCP Server for IBM Cloud Object Storage.app/Contents/Payload/jre/Contents/Home/bin/java \
   	-jar /Applications/CData MCP Server for IBM Cloud Object Storage.app/Contents/Payload/lib/cdata.mcp.ibmcloudobjectstorage.jar \
   	cdata_ibmcloudobjectstorage
   

   
5. Click Save. Your MCP Server should now appear in the connector list with a "Running" status

Step 4: Query Your Live IBM Cloud Object Storage data in Perplexity Desktop

1. Open a new chat in Perplexity Desktop. Click the Sources toggle and enable your MCP Server
2. Start asking questions about your IBM Cloud Object Storage data. For example:

   "List all the tables available in my IBM Cloud Object Storage data connection."

   

Connect your AI to your IBM Cloud Object Storage data today!

CData MCP Servers make it simple to connect Perplexity and other LLM clients to real-time enterprise data. Download a free, 30-day trial and join the CData Community to share insights, ask questions, and help shape the future of enterprise-ready AI.