Connecting VDM to Snowflake

VDM’s Snowflake connection type uses a Windows ODBC Data Source Name, or DSN. This guide covers the VDM wizard fields and the setup information your Snowflake administrator should provide.

Before You Begin

• Use a supported VDM installation with the Snowflake connection type.
• Have an approved 64-bit Snowflake ODBC driver and the prerequisites required by that driver.
• Obtain the Snowflake account/server information, an approved reporting identity and the required warehouse, role, database and schema settings.
• Confirm that the VDM computer can reach the required Snowflake endpoints.
• Have your administrator confirm the authentication method for this VDM/driver combination.

The VDM wizard has DSN, Username and Password fields. Those fields do not establish support for every authentication method offered by Snowflake. If your organization requires MFA, browser sign-in, key-pair authentication or another policy, confirm the supported configuration before proceeding. Do not weaken the account’s authentication policy to match a demonstration.

Install the Driver and Create a DSN

1. Have your administrator install the approved 64-bit Snowflake ODBC driver.
2. Open ODBC Data Sources (64-bit) in Windows.
3. Create a User DSN or System DSN according to the accounts that need to use it.
4. Select the installed Snowflake driver and enter the administrator-approved connection settings.
5. Save the DSN with a recognizable name, such as Snowflake_Reporting.

Follow Snowflake’s Windows ODBC setup instructions and connection-parameter reference for driver-specific fields. VDM’s wizard does not replace the driver’s configuration.

Note: A DSN must be visible to the Windows account using it. A desktop connection test does not establish that a Scheduler service account has the same DSN, permissions or authentication capabilities.

Start the VDM Connection Wizard

1. Open VDM on the computer where the profile will be used.
2. Select Database > New.
3. Select Snowflake as the connection type.
4. Continue to the Snowflake connection page.

Enter the Snowflake Connection Details

Test and Save the Profile

1. Select the intended DSN and enter the approved credentials.
2. Select Test Connection.
3. If the test fails, retain the exact error and review the DSN, network access, identity and authentication configuration with your administrator.
4. After a successful test, select Next and complete the remaining schema/profile selections offered by the wizard.
5. Enter a recognizable Connection Profile name and complete the wizard.

The wizard queries available schemas as it continues. A successful open/close connection test does not guarantee that the identity can discover every schema or read the reporting tables.

Verify the Saved Connection

1. Open the saved Connection Profile.
2. Confirm that the expected schemas, tables and fields are available.
3. Run a small, approved read-only query against a table you are authorized to access.
4. Compare the returned values with a known source.
5. If scheduling is required, separately verify the DSN, identity and data access under the Scheduler service account.

Troubleshooting

Related Articles

• How to Create a Database Connection Profile in VDM
• Understanding Connection Profiles in VDM
• Understanding 32-bit vs. 64-bit ODBC Driver Configurations
• Verify Scheduler Service Permissions and Access