How to connect and process Raisers Edge NXT Data from Azure Databricks

Databricks is a cloud-based service that provides data processing capabilities through Apache Spark. When paired with the CData JDBC Driver, customers can use Databricks to perform data engineering and data science on live Raisers Edge NXT data. This article walks through hosting the CData JDBC Driver in Azure, as well as connecting to and processing live Raisers Edge NXT data in Databricks.

With built-in optimized data processing, the CData JDBC Driver offers unmatched performance for interacting with live Raisers Edge NXT data. When you issue complex SQL queries to Raisers Edge NXT, the driver pushes supported SQL operations, like filters and aggregations, directly to Raisers Edge NXT and utilizes the embedded SQL engine to process unsupported operations client-side (often SQL functions and JOIN operations). Its built-in dynamic metadata querying allows you to work with and analyze Raisers Edge NXT data using native data types.

Install the CData JDBC Driver in Azure

To work with live Raisers Edge NXT data in Databricks, install the driver on your Azure cluster.

1. Navigate to your Databricks administration screen and select the target cluster.
2. On the Libraries tab, click "Install New."
3. Select "Upload" as the Library Source and "Jar" as the Library Type.
4. Upload the JDBC JAR file (cdata.jdbc.raiseredgenxt.jar) from the installation location (typically C:\Program Files\CData[product_name]\lib).

Connect to Raisers Edge NXT from Databricks

With the JAR file installed, we are ready to work with live Raisers Edge NXT data in Databricks. Start by creating a new notebook in your workspace. Name the notebook, select Python as the language (though Scala is available as well), and choose the cluster where you installed the JDBC driver. When the notebook launches, we can configure the connection, query Raisers Edge NXT, and create a basic report.

Configure the Connection to Raisers Edge NXT

Connect to Raisers Edge NXT by referencing the class for the JDBC Driver and constructing a connection string to use in the JDBC URL. Additionally, you will need to set the RTK property in the JDBC URL (unless you are using a Beta driver). You can view the licensing file included in the installation for information on how to set this property.

driver = "cdata.jdbc.raiseredgenxt.RaiserEdgeNXTDriver"
url = "jdbc:raiseredgenxt:RTK=5246...;SubscriptionKey=MySubscriptionKey;OAuthClientId=MyOAuthClientId;OAuthClientSecret=MyOAuthClientSecret;CallbackURL=http://localhost:33333;InitiateOAuth=GETANDREFRESH"

Built-in Connection String Designer

For assistance in constructing the JDBC URL, use the connection string designer built into the Raisers Edge NXT JDBC Driver. Either double-click the JAR file or execute the jar file from the command-line.

Fill in the connection properties and copy the connection string to the clipboard.

Before establishing a connection, supply the SubscriptionKey, found in the Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT Profile.

Authenticating to Raiser's Edge NXT

Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT uses the OAuth authentication standard. You can connect to without setting any connection properties using the embedded OAuth credentials.

Alternatively, you can authenticate by creating a custom app to obtain the OAuthClientId, OAuthClientSecret, and CallbackURL connection properties.

See the Help documentation for an authentication guide.

Load Raisers Edge NXT Data

Once the connection is configured, you can load Raisers Edge NXT data as a dataframe using the CData JDBC Driver and the connection information.

remote_table = spark.read.format ( "jdbc" ) \
	.option ( "driver" , driver) \
	.option ( "url" , url) \
	.option ( "dbtable" , "Constituents") \
	.load ()

Display Raisers Edge NXT Data

Check the loaded Raisers Edge NXT data by calling the display function.

display (remote_table.select ("Id"))

Analyze Raisers Edge NXT Data in Azure Databricks

If you want to process data with Databricks SparkSQL, register the loaded data as a Temp View.

remote_table.createOrReplaceTempView ( "SAMPLE_VIEW" )

The SparkSQL below retrieves the Raisers Edge NXT data for analysis.

% sql

SELECT Id, AddressLines FROM Constituents WHERE Type = 'Home'

The data from Raisers Edge NXT is only available in the target notebook. If you want to use it with other users, save it as a table.

remote_table.write.format ( "parquet" ) .saveAsTable ( "SAMPLE_TABLE" )

Download a free, 30-day trial of the CData JDBC Driver for Raisers Edge NXT and start working with your live Raisers Edge NXT data in Azure Databricks. Reach out to our Support Team if you have any questions.