Connections
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      Add a connection

      Learn how to securely connect and access data in Databox from 80+ integrations.

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      To access your data, Databox first establishes a connection with the software or system where your data is stored. This process involves obtaining authorization from the target system through predefined authentication steps. Once granted, Databox can automatically request new data from the system. This authorization appears in your Databox account as a connection.

      Connections are necessary for adding new data sources, which are the specific resources accessed through the Integration. For detailed instructions on adding data sources, please refer to this article.

      integration, connection and data source relationship

      Add a connection

      You can connect an Integration to Databox from several locations:

      When you begin the connection process, you will be prompted to decide whether to share the connection with others in your account. For more information on this topic, visit this article.

      Also during the connection process, you may be prompted to select a specific data source, such as an account, web property, or store, to fully establish the link between Databox and the chosen software. Ensure that you have the appropriate access level for both the integration as a whole and the specific data source; otherwise, you won't be able to create the connection.

      Once the connection is successfully established, it will appear on the Account Management > Data Manager > Connections page. From there, you can manage all your connections as needed.

      Reauthenticate a connection

      Sometimes, a connection may be invalidated or revoked, preventing Databox from accessing the associated data sources. This can happen for various reasons, including but not limited to:

      • Changes in user access or permissions
      • Access revocation by the software provider
      • Withdrawn consent by the account/connection owner
      • Issues with the software provider
      • Network or infrastructure problems
      • Unknown errors

      To reauthenticate a connection:

      1. Ensure the cause of the disconnection is identified and resolved
      2. Navigate to Account Management > Data Manager > Connections in the account where it was originally created
      3. Locate the connection you want to reauthenticate
      4. Click on Reauthenticate
      5. Follow the prompts

      Depending on the authentication type, you may need to consent to the connection again or confirm and/or input new credentials. Once completed, our system will establish a new connection, replacing the old one. All data sources associated with that connection will become accessible to Databox again.

      pin Note: To avoid issues when reauthenticating existing connections, it is recommended that the process be carried out by the connection owner or someone with equivalent access, role, and permissions in the integration.

      Frequently Asked Questions

      Does Databox store or have access to the credentials used to connect integrations?

      For integrations that require explicit consent via OAuth authentication, Databox does not store or have access to any user-specific credentials. However, for integrations established via Basic Authentication or a Proxy, credentials may need to be stored on our side as they are necessary for the integration to function. In such cases, we ensure industry-standard encryption protocols are applied to securely store and transmit this information over the web.

      For more detailed information, please refer to our Security Policy.

      What authentication methods does Databox use to connect integrations?

      Databox employs several authentication methods to ensure secure and reliable connections for its integrations. These methods include OAuth 2.0, OAuth 1.0, and Basic Authentication.

      • OAuth 2.0: This widely-used authorization framework allows third-party applications to obtain limited access to user accounts without exposing credentials. It provides a secure and standardized way to authenticate and authorize access.

      • OAuth 1.0: An earlier version of the OAuth protocol, OAuth 1.0 also enables third-party applications to securely access user accounts. Although less common than OAuth 2.0, it is still supported for certain integrations.

      • Basic Authentication: This straightforward method involves sending tokens or user credentials (username and password) encoded in base64. While simpler, it is generally considered less secure than OAuth methods and is typically used for systems that do not support OAuth.

      • Proxy: Some of our integrations are managed through internal proxies that utilize open libraries or industry-standard methods, such as ODBC drivers, to connect to and extract data from their respective systems..

      You can find out which authentication method is used for a specific integration by checking the integration page on our Metric Library.

      Still need help?

      Contact us here or start a chat in Databox.