Redirecting the information model

In Information Designer, you can redirect elements in an existing data source. Depending on what type of database you use, you can redirect elements to another database catalog and/or schema.

About this task

For example, use the steps below if you want to switch from a test to a production environment that has the same structure, but the catalogs and/or schemas have different names. If you want to redirect the elements to a database catalog or schema on another computer, you must also change the Connection URL. You can also use this method to redirect elements in an information model if the database technology of the data source is changed. See Exporting from the library and Importing to the library for information about how to copy information models from one instance to another.

Note: The case of the schemas/catalogs entered must exactly match the case of the names in the already defined metadata view of Information Designer. For example, you cannot write SPOTFIRE1450 if the name in the information model is spotfire1450.

Example: Redirecting elements in an existing data source

About this task

The example below shows how to redirect elements that were created in a SQL server data source and then moved to a new SAP HANA instance. It is assumed that the information model has been exported from the old source to the new SAP HANA instance, where the redirection will take place.

The following connection string elements exist in the column elements referencing the original SQL Server source.


	Data source	Database	Schema	Table	Columns
Example	EH0	DataSet_3	dbo	Parameters_period	year_flag

However, column elements created against a SAP HANA database do not include a database element. This means that the connection strings of all column elements must have the following structure instead.


	Data source	Schema	Table	Columns
Example	EH0	MY_SCHEMA	Parameters_period	year_flag

Procedure

In the installed client, on the menu bar, select Data > Information designer.
Locate the data source you want to redirect in the Elements or Data Sources pane.
Right-click the data source and select Edit.
On the Data Source tab, update the Connection URL to reference the new data source instead of the old one.
Scroll down to the Redirect dependent elements section

Note: This section is available only when you edit existing data sources, not for new data sources.
Type the values for the new structure in the fields.
Click Test Redirection.
This helps you to verify that the correct information has been entered and shows the number of elements that will be updated once the redirect is performed.

Click Save.

This is the final step if you want to redirect elements between data sources of the same type. When the data source structure differs, you might need additional steps.

The redirection is performed and the new settings are saved in the information model.


	Data source	Schema	Table	Columns
Example	EH0	MY_SCHEMA	Parameters_period	year_flag

Note: The following step is required only when changing the data source technology to a source without the database catalog element.
To remove the unapplicable database element from the element paths, use the Redirect dependent elements functionality once more, with the following settings:

By applying the above settings, the duplication of MY_SCHEMA is removed from the paths and the structure is correct for the SAP HANA instance.
Save the data source.