Microsoft SQL Server feature snapshot

A high-level look at Stitch's Microsoft SQL Server (v06-01-2016) integration, including release status, useful links, and the features supported in Stitch.

STITCH
Release Status

Released

 Supported By

Stitch
Stitch Plan

Free

 Supported Versions

2000 - 2016
CONNECTION METHODS
SSH Connections

Supported

 SSL Connections

Supported
REPLICATION SETTINGS
Anchor Scheduling

Unsupported

 Advanced Scheduling

Unsupported
Table-level Reset

Supported

 Configurable Replication Methods

Supported
REPLICATION METHODS
Log-based Replication

Unsupported

 Key-based Replication

Supported
Full Table Replication

Supported
DATA SELECTION
Table Selection

Supported

 Column Selection

Supported
View Replication

Supported
TRANSPARENCY
Extraction Logs

Unsupported

 Loading Reports

Supported

Connecting Microsoft SQL Server

Microsoft SQL Server setup requirements

To set up Microsoft SQL Server in Stitch, you need:

  • Privileges in Microsoft SQL Server that allow you to create/manage users. This is required to create the Stitch database user.

  • A server that:

    • Uses case-insensitive collation. Refer to Microsoft’s documentation for more info.
    • Allows connections over TCP/IP
    • Allows mixed mode authentication

Make sure your server is set up properly before continuing. If you need some help figuring out your hosting details, we recommend looping in a member of your engineering team.

Step 1: Configure database connection settings

In this step, you’ll configure the database server to allow traffic from Stitch to access it. There are two ways to connect your database:

  • A direct connection will work if your database is publicly accessible.
  • An SSH tunnel is required if your database isn’t publicly accessible. This method uses a publicly accessible instance, or an SSH server, to act as an intermediary between Stitch and your database. The SSH server will forward traffic from Stitch through an encrypted tunnel to the private database.

Click the option you’re using below and follow the instructions.

I'm using a direct connection.

For the connection to be successful, you’ll need to configure your firewall to allow access from our IP addresses. Whitelist the following IPs before continuing onto the next step:

  • 52.23.137.21/32

  • 52.204.223.208/32

  • 52.204.228.32/32

  • 52.204.230.227/32

I'm using an SSH tunnel to connect.

  1. Follow the steps in the Setting up an SSH Tunnel for a database connection guide to set up an SSH tunnel for Microsoft SQL Server.
  2. Complete the steps in this guide after the SSH setup is complete.

Step 2: Create a Stitch database user

Next, you’ll create a dedicated database user for Stitch. This will ensure Stitch is visible in any logs or audits, and allow you to maintain your privilege hierarchy.

Creating a user with SELECT privileges can either be done via a query or the Microsoft SQL Server UI. In this section, we’ll walk you through using the query method.

  1. Create the Stitch database user, replacing <database_name> with the name of the database and <password> with a secure password:

    USE <database_name>
CREATE LOGIN <stitch_username> WITH PASSWORD='<password>'
CREATE USER <stitch_username> FOR LOGIN

  2. Grant the Stitch user SELECT privileges. To grant SELECT privileges to all tables in the database, run this command:

    GRANT SELECT to <stitch_username>

    If you want to limit the Stitch user to specific tables, run this command instead:

    GRANT SELECT ON <schema_name>.<table_name> TO <stitch_username>

See the Privileges list tab for an explanation of why these permissions are required by Stitch.

In the table below are the database user privileges Stitch requires to connect to and replicate data from a Microsoft SQL Server database.

Privilege name Reason for requirement
SELECT

Required to select rows from tables in a database.
VIEW CHANGE TRACKING

Required to use Log-based Incremental Replication. Required to obtain change tracking information from tables where change tracking is enabled.

Step 3: Connect Stitch

In this step, you’ll complete the setup by entering the database’s connection details and defining replication settings in Stitch.

Step 3.1: Define the database connection details

  1. If you aren’t signed into your Stitch account, sign in now.

  2. On the Stitch Dashboard page, click the Add Integration button.

  3. Locate and click the Microsoft SQL Server icon.

  4. Fill in the fields as follows:

    • Integration Name: Enter a name for the integration. This is the name that will display on the Stitch Dashboard for the integration; it’ll also be used to create the schema in your destination.

      For example, the name “Stitch Microsoft SQL Server” would create a schema called stitch_microsoft_sql_server in the destination. Note: The schema name cannot be changed after the integration is saved.

    • Host (Endpoint): Enter the host address (endpoint) used by the Microsoft SQL Server instance. For example: This could be a network address such as 192.68.0.1, or a server endpoint like dbname.hosting-provider.com.

    • Port: Enter the port used by the instance. The default is 1433.

    • Username: Enter the Stitch Microsoft SQL Server database user’s username.

    • Password: Enter the password for the Stitch Microsoft SQL Server database user.

    • Database: Optional: Enter the name of the default database Stitch will connect to. Stitch will ‘find’ all databases you give the Stitch user access to - a default database is only used to test and complete the connection.

Step 3.2: Define the SSH connection details

If you’re using an SSH tunnel to connect your Microsoft SQL Server database to Stitch, you’ll also need to define the SSH settings. Refer to the Setting up an SSH Tunnel for a database connection guide for assistance with completing these fields.

  1. Click the Encryption Type menu.

  2. Select SSH to display the SSH fields.

  3. Fill in the fields as follows:

    • Remote Address: Enter the public IP address or hostname of the server Stitch will SSH into.

    • SSH Port: Enter the SSH port on your server. (22 by default)

    • SSH User: Enter the Stitch Linux (SSH) user’s username.

Step 3.3: Define the SSL connection details

Click the Connect using SSL checkbox if you’re using an SSL connection. Note: The database must support and allow SSL connections for this setting to work correctly.

Step 3.4: Create a replication schedule

In the Replication Frequency section, you’ll create the integration’s replication schedule. An integration’s replication schedule determines how often Stitch runs a replication job, and the time that job begins.

Microsoft SQL Server integrations support the following replication scheduling methods:

To keep your row usage low, consider setting the integration to replicate less frequently. See the Understanding and Reducing Your Row Usage guide for tips on reducing your usage.

Step 3.5: Save the integration

When finished, click Save Integration.

Stitch will perform a connection test to the Microsoft SQL Server database; if successful, a Success! mesage will display at the top of the screen. Note: This test may take a few minutes to complete.

Step 4: Select data to replicate

The last step is to select select the tables and columns you want to replicate.

When you track a table, you’ll also need to define its Replication Method and, if using Key-based Incremental Replication, its Replication Key.

You can select tables and columns by:

  1. In the Integration Details page, click the Tables to Replicate tab.
  2. Locate a table you want to replicate.
  3. Click the checkbox next to the object’s name. A green checkmark means the object is set to replicate.
  4. If there are child objects, they’ll automatically display and you’ll be prompted to select some.

  5. After you set a table to replicate, the Settings page will display. Note: When you track a table, by default all columns will also be tracked.

  6. In the Settings page, define the table’s Replication Method and, if using Key-based Incremental Replication, its Replication Key.

  7. Repeat this process for every table you want to replicate.

Initial and historical replication jobs

After you finish setting up Microsoft SQL Server, its Sync Status may show as Pending on either the Stitch Dashboard or in the Integration Details page.

For a new integration, a Pending status indicates that Stitch is in the process of scheduling the initial replication job for the integration. This may take some time to complete.

Free historical data loads

The first seven days of replication, beginning when data is first replicated, are free. Rows replicated from the new integration during this time won’t count towards your quota. Stitch offers this as a way of testing new integrations, measuring usage, and ensuring historical data volumes don’t quickly consume your quota.

Troubleshooting

Connection issues and collation

If you’re experiencing connection issues and have verified that the database user has the correct permissions, check your server’s collation setting.

Connecting MSSQL to Stitch successfully requires that your server use case-insensitive collation.

Data discrepancies and database user language settings

If you’re missing data, check that the database user’s language setting is set to us_english. Using a different setting can cause problems with replication, including issues with properly identifying new and updated data.

Related Troubleshooting
Questions? Feedback?

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