When you need to load data or dimensions to an Essbase cube using external source data, an efficient option is to use connections and Datasources, which you create and save as reusable abstractions in Essbase.

Connections and Datasources are effective when you have network connectivity between an external source of data and Essbase. Once you define them, they enable Essbase to easily "pull" data from the external source.

A connection stores information about an external server and the login credentials that are required to access it.

A Datasource, used in conjunction with the connection, helps you manage data flow into and out of Essbase. You define one Datasource to represent each external source of data, whether that is a relational system, a table, a file, or another cube.

Here is an example of the SQL Properties for a load rule that depends on a connection and Datasource pre-defined in Essbase.

See Work With Sources to get started.