Build Semantic Layer Views for Kafka Data in APOS Live Data Gateway

APOS Live Data Gateway (LDG) is a data connection and data transformation solution that enables live data connectivity and expanded data source options for SAP Analytics Cloud and other SAP solutions. When paired with CData Connectors, users can build semantic layer views for live Kafka data, enabling real-time analytics on Kafka just like working with a relational database.

With built-in optimized data processing, the CData Connector offers unmatched performance for interacting with live Kafka data. When you issue complex SQL queries to Kafka, the driver pushes supported SQL operations, like filters and aggregations, directly to Kafka 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 Kafka data using native data types.

Download and Install the Connector Files

In order to access Kafka data through the APOS Live Data Gateway, you will need to download the connector files from APOS and install them on the machine hosting the Live Data Gateway. An APOS representative can deliver the necessary files.

• Install the CData DLL file (System.Data.CData.ApacheKafka.dll) to the APOS Live Data Gateway installation directory (C:\Program Files\Live Data Gateway\Admin\ by default).
• Install the CData JAR file (cdata.jdbc.apachekafka.jar) to the ConnectionTest_lib folder in the installation directory (C:\Program Files\Live Data Gateway\Admin\ConnectionTest_lib\ by default).
• Install the CData JAR file (cdata.jdbc.apachekafka.jar) to the lib folder in the Web UI installation directory (e.g.: C:\LDG_WebUI\lib\)

Configuring the Kafka Connection String

Before establishing the connection to Kafka from the APOS Live Data Gateway, you need to configure the Kafka JDBC Connection String.

Built-in Connection String Designer

For assistance in constructing the JDBC Connection String, use the connection string designer built into the Kafka JDBC Driver. Either double-click the JAR file or execute the jar file from the command-line.

java -jar cdata.jdbc.apachekafka.jar

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

Set BootstrapServers and the Topic properties to specify the address of your Apache Kafka server, as well as the topic you would like to interact with.

Authorization Mechanisms

• SASL Plain: The User and Password properties should be specified. AuthScheme should be set to 'Plain'.
• SASL SSL: The User and Password properties should be specified. AuthScheme should be set to 'Scram'. UseSSL should be set to true.
• SSL: The SSLCert and SSLCertPassword properties should be specified. UseSSL should be set to true.
• Kerberos: The User and Password properties should be specified. AuthScheme should be set to 'Kerberos'.

You may be required to trust the server certificate. In such cases, specify the TrustStorePath and the TrustStorePassword if necessary.

Your connection string will look similar to the following:

jdbc:ApacheKafka:User=admin;Password=pass;BootStrapServers=https://localhost:9091;Topic=MyTopic;

Connecting to Kafka & Creating a Semantic Layer View

After installing the connector files and configuring the connection string, you are ready to connect to Kafka in the Live Data Gateway Admin tool and build a semantic layer view in the Live Data Gateway Web UI.

Configuring the Connection to Kafka

1. Log into your APOS Live Data Gateway Manager 👁 Logging into the APOS LDG Manager
   
2. If you haven't already, update your APOS LDG license file
   1. Click File -> Configurations
   2. Click on the "..." Menu for the License
   3. Select the license file from the APOS team that includes your CData Connector license
3. In the APOS Live Data Gateway Manager, click "Add"
4. In the APOS Live Data Gateway On the Connection tab, configure the connection:
   • Set Data Source to "Database"
   • Set Database to "CData Drivers"
   • Set Database CData Drivers to "Kafka"
   • Set Connection String to the connection string configured earlier (e.g.:

     jdbc:ApacheKafka:User=admin;Password=pass;BootStrapServers=https://localhost:9091;Topic=MyTopic;

   • Set Driver Class to "cdata.jdbc.apachekafka.ApacheKafkaDriver" (this should be set by default)
   👁 Configuring the Connection (Salesforce is shown).
   
5. Click Test Connection
6. Click Save
7. Give your connection a unique prefix (e.g. "apachekafka")
8. Highlight the newly created connection and click File -> "Approve Users For Web UI" 👁 Approving Users For Web UI.
   
9. Approve the appropriate DB users to create views and click "Save" 👁 Configuring which DB users can create views.
   

At this point, we are ready to build our semantic layer view in the Live Data Gateway Web UI.

Creating a Semantic Layer View

1. In your browser, navigate to the APOS Live Data Gateway Portal
2. Select a Connection (e.g. "apachekafka")
3. Set User Name and Password to the User and Password properties for Kafka.
4. Click "Login" 👁 Connecting from the Web UI (Salesforce is shown).
   
5. Once connected, click "Semantic Layer" to create a new semantic layer view
6. Click "New Semantic Layer View" 👁 Adding a new semantic layer view.
   
7. Set the Semantic Layer View Prefix and Semantic Layer View Name 👁 Setting the semantic layer view prefix and name.
   
8. Click "Step 2"
9. Select the table(s) and column(s) you wish to include in your view 👁 Selecting table(s) and column(s).
   
10. Click "Step 3"
11. Select the Measures from the available table columns 👁 Selecting the measure(s).
    
12. Click "Step 5" (we skipped the "Extra Dimensions" step)
13. Add any Variable Prompts
14. Click "Step 6"
15. Define any Table Joins
16. Click "Review"
17. Review you semantic layer view and click "Save" 👁 Saving the semantic layer view.
    

With the Semantic Layer View created, you are ready to access your Kafka data through the APOS Live Data Gateway, enabling real-time data connectivity to Kafka data from SAP Analytics Cloud and other SAP solutions.

More Information & Free Evaluation

Please visit APOS Systems - APOS Solutions - Request Evaluation Software to request evaluation software or email [email protected] for more information on working with your live Kafka data in APOS Live Data Gateway.