How to Create and Support SQL Server Analysis Service Project: A Comprehensive Guide

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to create and support SQL Server Analysis Service (SSAS) projects. Whether you’re new to the world of data analysis or a seasoned professional, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know to create and manage SSAS projects like a pro.

With SSAS, you can transform raw data into meaningful insights that drive business decisions. By creating a data model that represents your business, you can analyze and report on data in ways that are meaningful to you and your team.

In this guide, we will cover everything from creating a new SSAS project to designing and deploying a cube, as well as implementing security measures to protect your data. So, let’s dive in and explore the world of SSAS!

Keep reading to learn how to create and support SQL Server Analysis Service projects from start to finish. By the end of this guide, you’ll have the knowledge and skills needed to build powerful and effective data models that drive better business decisions. Let’s get started!

Create a New SQL Server Analysis Service Project

Before we dive into the technical details of creating a SQL Server Analysis Service (SSAS) project, it’s important to understand what it is and why it’s essential. In a nutshell, SSAS is a tool used to create and manage online analytical processing (OLAP) solutions. These solutions allow users to analyze data and gain insights that might not be readily apparent from a simple database query. With that said, let’s get started with creating your new SSAS project.

The first step in creating an SSAS project is to open Microsoft SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT). Once you have SSDT open, you’ll want to create a new Business Intelligence project. From there, select Analysis Services, and then choose the appropriate Analysis Services project template based on your version of SQL Server. After filling in your desired project name, click OK to create your new project.

Now that you have a new SSAS project, it’s time to start defining your data source. Begin by right-clicking the Data Sources folder in the Solution Explorer and selecting New Data Source. Follow the wizard to create your data source, which includes specifying the type of database you want to use, the server name, and the credentials needed to access it. Make sure to test your connection before continuing to the next step.

After you’ve created your data source, you’ll want to create a data source view. This is a virtual representation of the data source that allows you to define relationships between tables and select which tables and columns to include in your SSAS project. To create a data source view, right-click the Data Source Views folder in the Solution Explorer and select New Data Source View. Follow the wizard to select your data source and choose the tables and columns you want to include.

With your data source and data source view defined, you’re ready to start adding cubes to your SSAS project. But before we move on to designing and deploying cubes, it’s essential to understand the structure of an SSAS project and how the different components relate to each other. In the next section, we’ll discuss how to configure SSAS project properties to ensure that your project is set up correctly.

Using SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) to Create a New SQL Server Analysis Service Project

SQL Server Analysis Service (SSAS) is an essential component of the Microsoft Business Intelligence stack. It enables businesses to analyze their data with powerful visualizations and business logic. To create a new SSAS project, we can use the SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) integrated with Visual Studio. Here are the steps:

1. Open SQL Server Data Tools: Open the SSDT application on your machine.
2. Select Analysis Services Project: Select the Analysis Services project type from the installed templates.
3. Provide Project Details: Provide the project name, location, and choose the target server version.

Once you have provided the necessary details, click on the “Create” button to create a new SSAS project. The new project will contain the default folders such as Data Sources, Data Source Views, Dimensions, and Cubes. Now, you can start designing and implementing the SSAS project as per your business requirements.

Configure SQL Server Analysis Service Project Properties

Configuring the Analysis Server Instance: Before configuring the project properties, the Analysis Server Instance needs to be configured. It involves defining server properties such as the Server Mode, Memory Properties, and Processing Properties.

Configuring the Project Properties: The properties of a project define how Analysis Services processes and stores data in the project. The project properties can be accessed from the Solution Explorer by right-clicking the project and selecting Properties. Properties can be set for the Data Sources, Data Source Views, and the Project itself.

Modifying Deployment and Processing Properties: After setting the project properties, the deployment and processing properties can be modified to customize the way the project is deployed and processed. The deployment properties define how the project is deployed to the Analysis Server Instance, while the processing properties define how the data in the project is processed.

Configuring Perspectives: Perspectives can be used to define a subset of the cube that is specific to a certain group of users. Perspectives enable users to work with a subset of the cube without seeing the entire cube. To configure a perspective, right-click on the project in the Solution Explorer and select New Perspective.

Configuring Data Source and Data Source View in SQL Server Analysis Service Project

Data Source: The data source in SQL Server Analysis Service (SSAS) is responsible for connecting to the source of data that is required to build the cube. This could be a SQL Server database, Oracle database, Excel file or any other data source that supports OLE DB, ODBC or XMLA connectivity. The data source can be created or configured in the SSAS project.

Data Source View: Data source views (DSV) in SSAS provides a way to create a logical view of the data in the data source that can be used to build the cube. DSV is a metadata layer between the data source and the cube, it is used to define relationships, create calculated columns, filter data, etc. Creating a DSV in SSAS project is an important step in building the cube.

Configuring Data Source: To configure the data source in SSAS, you need to add a new data source or use an existing one in the SSAS project. You need to specify the connection string, user credentials, and other relevant details. You can also test the connection to ensure that the data source is accessible from the SSAS project.

Configuring Data Source View: To configure the DSV in SSAS, you need to add a new DSV to the project and select the required tables and views from the data source. You can then define relationships, create calculated columns, filter data, and other operations. You can also preview the DSV to ensure that it is correctly configured.

Defining Cube Structure and Cube Settings in SQL Server Analysis Service Project

After you have defined the data source and data source view, the next step is to define the cube structure and cube settings in your SQL Server Analysis Service Project. This involves defining dimensions, hierarchies, and measures that are used to analyze the data.

Defining Dimensions: Dimensions provide a way to organize data in a meaningful way. You can create dimensions based on attributes like geography, time, or product category, and then define hierarchies within each dimension.

Defining Hierarchies: Hierarchies allow you to organize data into a logical order. For example, you can create a time hierarchy that includes year, quarter, month, and day, and then drill down from year to day to see more detailed data.

Defining Measures: Measures are the numeric values that you want to analyze. They can be simple calculations like sum or average, or more complex calculations that involve multiple measures.

• Deployment Options: Before deploying the cube, make sure to select the appropriate deployment method. You can deploy the cube to a new or an existing SSAS instance or to a local instance of SSAS running on your development machine.

• Processing Options: After deploying the cube, you need to process it to build the cube’s data structures. You can choose from three processing options: process full, process data, and process clear.

• Processing Settings: You can customize processing settings for each cube or dimension, such as the order of dimension processing or the type of processing to be performed.

Configuring deployment and processing options is crucial to ensure the cube is efficiently deployed and processed. Choosing the right options and settings can help minimize processing time and optimize the cube’s performance.

Define Data Source and Data Source Views in SQL Server Analysis Service Project

Step 1: Create a Data Source

The first step in defining a data source in SQL Server Analysis Service Project is to create a new data source. A data source defines the connection to a database, and it can be any type of database that has an OLE DB provider or an ODBC driver.

Step 2: Configure Data Source Properties

After creating the data source, you need to configure its properties. The properties include the connection string, user ID, password, and other options required to connect to the database.

Step 3: Create a Data Source View

A data source view is a logical representation of the data source that defines the tables, columns, and relationships that are used in the analysis. It is created to simplify the analysis process by hiding the complex data structure of the data source.

Step 4: Add Tables and Relationships to Data Source View

Once you have created the data source view, you can add tables and relationships to it. Tables represent the data that you want to analyze, and relationships define the links between the tables.

Step 5: Preview Data in Data Source View

To ensure that the data source view is correctly defined, you can preview the data in it. This step helps you to verify that the tables and relationships are correct and that the data is accurate.

Connecting to Data Source and Creating Data Source Views in SQL Server Analysis Service Project

Connect to Data Source: To define a data source in your SQL Server Analysis Service project, you need to connect to the underlying database that will provide the data for your analysis. You can do this by opening the Data Source Wizard in SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) and following the prompts to connect to your database.

Create Data Source Views: Once you have connected to your data source, you can create one or more data source views. A data source view defines a subset of the data in your data source that you want to analyze. You can use the Data Source View Wizard in SSDT to create a new data source view and select the tables, columns, and relationships that you want to include.

Define Relationships: When creating a data source view, you can define relationships between tables to enable more complex analysis. You can do this by using the Data Source View Wizard and specifying the join columns between the tables. Once you have defined the relationships, you can use them to create hierarchies and drill-down paths in your cube.

Design and Deploy Cube in SQL Server Analysis Service Project

When it comes to analyzing large data sets, SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) is a powerful tool that can be used to build multidimensional cubes. These cubes provide a fast and efficient way to query large amounts of data and are commonly used in business intelligence and data warehousing applications.

The first step in building a cube in SSAS is designing the data model. This involves selecting the tables and columns from your data source that will be used to populate the cube. Once the data model has been designed, it’s time to create the cube itself. This is done by defining the dimensions and measures that will be used to analyze the data.

After the cube has been designed, it needs to be deployed to an SSAS instance. This involves creating an XMLA script that contains the cube definition and then running the script to create the cube. Once the cube has been deployed, it can be accessed using a variety of tools, including Excel, Power BI, and SSRS.

One important aspect of cube design is defining the aggregation strategy. Aggregations are pre-calculated summaries of data that are used to improve query performance. By defining the right aggregations, you can ensure that queries run quickly and efficiently, even when dealing with large data sets.

Finally, it’s important to test the cube to ensure that it’s functioning as expected. This involves running queries against the cube and verifying that the results are correct. Any issues that are discovered during testing can be addressed by refining the cube design and redeploying it.

Design and Deploy Cube in SQL Server Analysis Service Project

Designing Cube Dimensions and Measures in SQL Server Analysis Service Project

When designing a cube in SQL Server Analysis Services, one of the most important tasks is defining the dimensions. Dimensions are the attributes that are used to slice and dice the data in the cube. Each dimension is made up of a hierarchy of attributes, such as Year, Quarter, and Month. In addition to dimensions, you also need to define the measures that will be used to aggregate the data.

One way to define dimensions is to use the Dimension Wizard in SQL Server Data Tools. The wizard guides you through the process of selecting the source table and columns, defining the hierarchy, and setting properties such as the attribute relationships and key columns. Another approach is to use the Dimension Designer, which provides a more granular view of the dimension and allows you to set advanced properties such as attribute properties, actions, and translations.

Once the dimensions have been defined, you need to create the measures that will be used to aggregate the data. Measures are typically numeric values, such as sales revenue, that can be aggregated using functions such as Sum, Count, and Average. To create measures, you can use the Measure Wizard or the Measure Designer, which provides a similar interface to the Dimension Designer.

1. Step 1: Open the cube in the Cube Designer.
2. Step 2: Select the “Measures” tab and click the “New Measure” button.
3. Step 3: Use the Measure Wizard or Measure Designer to define the measure and set its properties.

Designing dimensions and measures is a critical part of building a cube in SQL Server Analysis Services. By carefully selecting the right attributes and defining the appropriate measures, you can ensure that the cube provides accurate and meaningful insights into your data.

Deploying and Processing Cube in SQL Server Analysis Service Project

Deploying a Cube: Once the cube is designed, the next step is to deploy it to the Analysis Services server. In SQL Server Data Tools, right-click the Analysis Services project, select “Deploy”, and choose the appropriate target server. After the deployment is complete, the cube is available for use by end-users.

Processing a Cube: Before the cube can be used, it needs to be processed. Processing a cube involves loading data into the cube and aggregating it into the pre-defined dimensions and measures. In SQL Server Management Studio, right-click the cube and select “Process”. The processing options can be set according to the specific needs of the project.

Automating Cube Processing: In larger projects, it may be necessary to automate the cube processing. This can be done using SQL Server Agent Jobs. SQL Server Agent can be used to schedule regular cube processing at specific intervals, or to process cubes based on specific events or triggers.

• Processing Options: When processing a cube, there are several processing options available. “Process Full” processes all the data in the cube, while “Process Data” only processes new or changed data. “Process Default” processes data based on the default setting of each object in the cube. “Process Clear” removes all data from the cube, and “Process Index” updates the indexes in the cube.
• Partitioning: Partitioning is the process of dividing a large cube into smaller, more manageable sections. Each partition can be processed individually, allowing for more efficient processing and reducing the overall processing time. SQL Server Analysis Services provides several options for partitioning cubes.
• Aggregations: Aggregations are pre-calculated summaries of data in a cube. They improve query performance by reducing the amount of data that needs to be read from the cube. SQL Server Analysis Services provides several methods for creating and managing aggregations in a cube.

Conclusion: Deploying and processing a cube is a crucial step in creating a successful SQL Server Analysis Services project. By following best practices for deploying and processing, developers can ensure that their cubes are performant and reliable for end-users.

Implement Security in SQL Server Analysis Service Project

Security is an important aspect when it comes to SQL Server Analysis Service (SSAS) projects. You need to ensure that your cube data is safe and secure from unauthorized access. To achieve this, you can implement various security measures. One such measure is to create roles for your cube.

Creating roles is an effective way to manage access to the data in your cube. Roles can be created based on various criteria such as department, location, or job title. Once roles are created, you can assign users or groups to the roles. This way, users will only be able to access the data that they are authorized to see.

Another security measure that can be implemented is to use Windows Authentication. This ensures that only users who are authorized to access the cube can do so. When a user tries to connect to the cube, they will be prompted to enter their credentials. Once their credentials are verified, they will be granted access to the cube.

Applying Role-Based Security in SQL Server Analysis Service Project

Role-Based Security is an essential feature of SQL Server Analysis Services, which allows you to assign access to specific data based on predefined roles. There are three primary steps in implementing role-based security:

Step	Description	Example
Define Roles	Create security roles in the Analysis Services project, which can be assigned to users and groups later.	Create a role named “Sales Manager” in the project.
Assign Permissions	Assign database permissions to each role, which define access to the data.	Grant “Read” permission to the “Sales Manager” role on the “Sales” database.
Assign Roles to Users or Groups	Finally, assign each role to a user or group to provide access to the data.	Assign the “Sales Manager” role to the “Sales Team” group.

Using role-based security, you can provide access to specific data to specific users or groups, ensuring the right people can access the right data. This is especially important when dealing with sensitive data, such as financial or healthcare data.

Implementing Role-Based Security requires careful planning and management. You must have a clear understanding of the data access requirements of each role and ensure that roles are assigned appropriately. Additionally, it is essential to review and update role assignments regularly to ensure that users and groups have the necessary access to data.

In summary, Role-Based Security is a critical feature in SQL Server Analysis Services, allowing you to provide access to specific data to specific users or groups. By following the three primary steps, you can implement role-based security effectively, ensuring that sensitive data remains secure.

Frequently Asked Questions