Welcome to the University of Illinois Datahub!

Denodo is a new and innovative way to integrate data. Built on the Denodo data virtualization tool, joining all your data has never been easier. This knowledgebase article will give you all the details you need to get started.

Requesting access to your unit's Virtual Database (VDB)

If your unit already has a VDB, you do not need to request one. Access to your unit's VDB is handled through Active Directory (AD) groups. Your VDB Administrator will be able to provide access to Denodo by including you in one of your unit's Denodo AD groups.

Step 1: Requesting your unit’s Virtual Database (VDB)

If your unit does not have a VDB yet, an administrator will have to be determined and they will need to request a VDB.

Each unit at the university can have their own VDB. This is where you will do all of your work in Datahub. To request your VDB, complete the Service Request Form in Team Dynamix (TDX).

In the Request Type field select Request Virtual Database and complete the form.

AITS staff will then build your VDB. Once your VDB has been created, you are all set to begin using Denodo.

Step 2: Accessing the Datahub

To access the Datahub go to https://datahub.uillinois.edu. The Datahub website has all the information you need to get started, get trained and get help using Denodo.

To log in to Denodo click the Denodo Login button. Use your university credentials to log in.

NOTE: Even if you're connected directly to a University of Illinois network (i.e. you're working from your office on campus) you still need to be connected to a University of Illinois VPN that requires a DUO 2FA challenge.

Step 3: Organize your VDB

AITS will create a suggested set of working folders when we create your unit's VDB. You can use this or modify and create your own structure. We do suggest you keep your VDB neatly organized to easily find and utilize your data objects.

Step 4: Connect to your Data Sources

Denodo can connect to most data sources including on premise relational databases or files (.XLS, .CSV, .XML, .JSON). Denodo can also connect to vendor hosted or cloud based solutions, including vendor APIs.

To Create your data source connections, follow instructions in the knowledgebase articles found on the Datahub website or instructions found on the Denodo Community website.

Step 5: Curate your Data

Once you connect to your data sources you will need to build Base Views. A base view is a logical representation of a physical database, file or API. The Data is not moved to Denodo, Denodo only stores the metadata it needs to query your data sources upon request.

Integrate data from base views into a single dataset, even when the base views are from different data sources. As long as you have fields to join upon, you can build views that incorporate data from all of your data sources.

Step 6: Allow access to data consumers

Setup access to your VDB by using Active Directory groups. You control the membership of those AD groups, and you can utilize Denodo role management and user management to further define permissions.

With appropriate access, Data consumers get and use the data in your VDB by querying it directly or by connecting with their favorite business intelligence tools such as Tableau, Power Bi, or DBeaver.