Configuring the destination as Snowflake

To configure Snowflake as the destination for BMC Helix Data Connector, you must perform a set of tasks both in the BMC Helix Data Connector UI and in Snowflake Marketplace. The process includes submitting a Change Request (RFC) to obtain BMC Egress IPs, configuring network rules in Snowflake, installing the BMC Helix Data Connector app from the Marketplace, and completing the destination setup by providing the necessary configuration details.

Process overview

Perform the tasks in the following order to configure Snowflake as the destination for BMC Helix Data Connector:

To configure Snowflake as the destination in BMC Helix Data Connector UI

1. On the Helix Data Connector UI, navigate to the Administration tab and select Configure destination.
   
2. On the Destination UI screen, click Configure destination.

3. On the Destination configuration screen, select the destination type as Snowflake from the list.
   The following message is displayed:
   Please login to Snowflake Marketplace and search for the BMC Snowflake Connector to begin your destination configuration there.
   Your Snowflake account will be connected to your Helix Data Connector after you have completed the steps in Snowflake Marketplace.

4. Go to the Snowflake Marketplace and specify the destination configuration details for Snowflake.
   https://www.snowflake.com/en/data-cloud/marketplace/
5. Install BMC Helix Data Connector and configure the application.
   For information, see To configure BMC Helix Data Connector.
6. After configuring Snowflake in Snowflake Marketplace, the details are registered in the BMC Helix Connector UI as shown in the following image:
   
   
    

To configure BMC Helix Data Connector

Before configuring BMC Helix Data Connector in Snowflake, obtain the necessary RFC details from BMC Support and complete the following steps in Snowflake Marketplace.

Step 1: Obtain Egress IPs from BMC Support

• Submit a Request for Change (RFC) to BMC Support or your Service Desk. 
  For more information, see the Request for Change process in the BMC Helix Subscriber Information online documentation.
• If you are syncing data to Snowflake, mention clearly in your RFC that you are configuring Snowflake as the destination.
• After the RFC is complete, you will receive the BMC Egress Network address, which is required for setting up network rules in Snowflake.
• This Egress address must be added to Snowflake’s allowlist to enable successful data synchronization.

Step 2: Configure network rules in Snowflake

1. Navigate to Snowflake Marketplace.
2. Navigate to Admin > Security > Network Rules.
3. Click + Network Rule.
   
4. In the Create Network Rule dialog box, provide the following information:
   1. Provide a name for the network rule.
   2. Set the type to IPv4.
   3. Set the mode to Ingress.
   4. Enter the identifier (Egress IP) provided by BMC Support and press the Enter key.
      The identifier is added to the network rule.
   5. Click Create Network Rule.
      
5. (Optional) If you have existing network policies, you can add this rule to the relevant policy.

Step 3: Access the BMC Helix Data Connector in Snowflake Marketplace 

Complete the following steps in Snowflake Marketplace:

1. Navigate to Snowflake Marketplace and complete the following steps:
   1. Search for BMC Helix Data Connector and select the BMC Helix Data Connector product from the list.
      
   2. Install BMC Helix Data Connector by clicking GET. 
      
   3. After BMC Helix Data Connector is installed successfully, click Done.
      
2. Create a Snowflake user and role and grant permissions by using the following SQL commands. Set the user type to LEGACY_SERVICE.
   CREATE ROLE IF NOT EXISTS HELIX_DATA_TRANSFER_ROLE;
   CREATE USER IF NOT EXISTS svc_helix_data_transfer_user WITH PASSWORD='password';
   ALTER USER BMCHELIX SET TYPE = LEGACY_SERVICE;
   GRANT ROLE HELIX_DATA_TRANSFER_ROLE TO USER svc_helix_data_transfer_user;
   GRANT APPLICATION ROLE <application name>.HELIX_APP_ROLE TO ROLE HELIX_DATA_TRANSFER_ROLE;
   For more information, see CREATE USER - Snowflake SQL Reference.
3. Navigate back to Snowflake Marketplace. 
   Click Apps on the left pane and click BMC Helix Data Connector.
   
4. On the dialog box, click Grant Privileges.
   
5. Click Connect to connect to an external endpoint and provide the required connection details to push configuration settings to BMC Helix Innovation Suite.
   
6. Review the prerequisites and click Start Configuration.
7. Provide the following information to configure BMC Helix Connector application:

   Field	Description
   BMC Helix URL	The BMC Helix URL for this account.
   BMC Helix username	The BMC Helix username for this account.
   BMC Helix password	The password for the database user.

8. Click Configure. 
9. Enter the following details to create the corresponding objects in your Snowflake environment:

   Field	Description
   Warehouse	A new warehouse of size Large (8 credits/hour) is created to run the connector. You can modify these settings later if needed.
   Destination database	The selected database that stores the ingested data.
   Destination schema	A new schema is created to store the ingested data.
   Host	The host address of the server you are connecting to, in the form of an IP address or domain name.
   Port	The port number that specifies the communication channel to use when connecting to the host.
   Role	The role required to authenticate and access the system or service.
   Account	The username or credentials required to authenticate and access the system or service.
   Snowflake username	The Snowflake username to configure the BMC Helix Data Connector. Refer to Step 1 in the Before you begin section.
   Snowflake password	The Snowflake password to configure the BMC Helix Data Connector.

10. Click Configure. 
    The configuration details are saved in BMC Helix Innovation Suite. 
11. After completing the Snowflake configuration details in Snowflake Marketplace, access BMC Helix Innovation Suite to see if the Snowflake destination has been created successfully.

You must configure network rules in your Snowflake account to allow connections from BMC Helix SaaS. If your Snowflake instance is not publicly accessible, include BMC’s Egress IPs in your allowlist for a successful connection. To proceed with this configuration, raise a support case with BMC Helix Support.

To check the Snowflake destination details

Perform the following steps to confirm your destination is successfully created:

1. Log into BMC Helix Innovation Studio.
2. Navigate to the Administration tab and select Configure destination.
3. Check if the Snowflake details have been populated in read-only mode.
   

To revoke the permissions on BMC Helix Data Connector application

The Snowflake application requests permission to create a database, warehouse, and so on. If you have concerns regarding this level of access to BMC Helix Data Connector, revoke the permissions after the installation and destination configuration are complete. To revoke access, log back into your Snowflake account and remove the permission.

Perform the following steps to revoke the permission:

1. Log into your Snowflake Marketplace account.
2. Click Apps on the left pane.
   
3. Select BMC Helix Data Connector from the list.
4. Click Settings  on the top of the screen.
5. On the BMC Helix Data Connector UI, click the Privileges tab and then click the Edit icon.
   
6. Review the privileges for BMC Helix Data Connector application and update/revoke them as required.
   
7. To save the changes, click Update Privileges .

Related topics

• Syncing data from BMC Helix SaaS to a destination database
• Configuring advanced settings
• Configuring the dataset and sync interval