Overview of Data Sources and Provider Types¶

This article describes the different provider types for data sources in Timextender Data Integration (TDI). Often there are multiple ways to connect to a data source, and several provider types to choose from. This article aims to provide an overview of the different options available to help inform decision-making around provider selection.

Provider Types¶

An Ingest instance can connect to a data source through one of five different types of providers:

• Timextender enhanced: TDI's own providers with tweaks and improvements that usually makes this the best choice.

• Local ADO.NET: Providers installed on the machine that are built on ADO.NET

• Local OLE DB: Providers installed on the machine that supports the OLE DB standard

• ADF: Providers from Timextender that use Azure Data Factory for transferring data.

• Managed ADO.NET: Providers from CData, a third-party supplier of drivers and providers for connecting to a massive amount of different systems. For help with setting up CData providers, please refer to CData online documentation for ADO.NET providers at https://www.cdata.com/kb/help/

!!! warning "Warning" CData data source providers are no longer supported or distributed by Timextender. We strongly recommend that you upgrade to ‘Timextender Enhanced’ providers.