Configure variable value providers

Semarchy xDM uses model variables defined in models to enforce certain data governance policies for a user’s session. A Variable Value Provider is a system that can be queried by Semarchy xDM to retrieve the values for these variables. Typically, a server containing information about the user connected to Semarchy xDM.

Two type of variable value providers are supported out-of-the-box:

  • Datasource Variable Provider: This variable value provider is a relational database that is accessed through a platform datasource. Semarchy xDM can issue SQL statements against this database to retrieve variable values. For example, an employee database that can be queried to retrieve the country of the connected user.

  • LDAP Variable Provider: This variable value provider is a directory server that is accessed using the LDAP protocol. Semarchy xDM can issue queries against this directory server to retrieve variable values. For example, an LDAP directory that can be used to retrieve the organizational unit of the connected user.

Variable value providers are configured in the repository, and can be used by any model in this repository.

When working with a deployment repository, make sure to configure the variable value providers used in the models before importing or deploying them in this repository.

Create a variable value provider

To create a variable value provider:

  1. In Semarchy Configuration, select Variable Value Providers in the navigation drawer. The Variable Value Providers editor opens.

  2. Select the Variable Value Providers list, right-click and then select VariableValueProvider New Variable Value Provider. The Install Variable Value Provider wizard opens.

  3. Enter the following information:

    • Name: Internal name of the variable value provider.

    • Label: User-friendly label for the variable value provider. Since the Auto Fill checkbox is selected, the Label field is automatically filled in. Modifying this label is optional.

  4. Select the Plugin ID corresponding to the variable value provider type: LDAP Variable Provider or Datasource Variable Provider.

  5. Click Next.

  6. Click the edit expression button Edit Expression button.

  7. In the Variable Value Configuration dialog, enter the configuration information.
    This information differs depending on the selected Plug-In.

    • For a Datasource Variable Value Provider, enter the following information:

      • Datasource Name: Select a datasource in the list.
        This datasource must be configured in Semarchy xDM. It is used to connect the database acting as the variable value provider.

    • For an LDAP Variable Value Provider, enter the following information:

      • LDAP Host: Name or IP address of the LDAP server.

      • LDAP Port: Listening port of the LDAP server. The port is typically 389 for non-SSL connections, and 636 for SSL connections.

      • Use SSL: Check this options to use SSL to connect to the LDAP server.

      • User: Name of the user used to retrieve data from the LDAP Server. Note that this user should have read privileges to the LDAP structure.

      • Password: This user’s password.

  8. Click OK to close the Variable Value Configuration dialog.

  9. Click Finish.

The variable value provider is added to the list.

Test a variable value provider

After configuring a new variable value provider, it is recommended to test its configuration.

to test a variable value provider configuration:

  1. In the Variable Value Providers editor, select of the variable value provider in the list.

  2. Right-click and select Test Configuration.

A message indicates whether the connection test was successful or not.

The configuration test only tests the connection information, but does not check the privileges granted to the user to retrieve the values from the provider.