Implement Azure Synapse Link and query the replicated data

Azure Synapse Link is a powerful feature in Azure Data Factory that seamlessly integrates and allows you to query replicated data from Azure Cosmos DB. In this article, we will explore the process of implementing Azure Synapse Link and performing queries on the replicated data. This article is specifically geared towards the Data Engineering on Microsoft Azure exam.

Overview of Azure Synapse Link

Azure Synapse Link enables real-time analytics on operational data stored in Azure Cosmos DB without the need for complex and costly ETL processes. It establishes a direct and optimized link between Azure Cosmos DB and Azure Synapse Analytics, providing efficient data exploration and analysis capabilities.

Step 1: Set up an Azure Cosmos DB Account

To get started, create an Azure Cosmos DB account in the Azure portal. Search for “Azure Cosmos DB” and click on “Create” to create a new account. Specify essential details like subscription, resource group, and account name. Choose the desired API, such as SQL API, for your Cosmos DB account.

Step 2: Create a Container in Azure Cosmos DB

After creating the Cosmos DB account, proceed to create a container to store your data. Access the created Cosmos DB account, click on “Data Explorer,” and select the appropriate database where you want to create the container. Click on “New Container” and provide the necessary details, such as the container ID, partition key, and throughput.

Step 3: Enable Azure Synapse Link

In this step, go to the “Settings” menu in the Cosmos DB account and select “Synapse Link.” Click on “Enable” to establish the connection between Azure Synapse Analytics and Azure Cosmos DB.

Step 4: Set up Azure Synapse Analytics

Next, set up Azure Synapse Analytics by creating a dedicated SQL pool. Search for “Azure Synapse Analytics” in the Azure portal. If you haven’t created a Synapse workspace, create a new one. Once the workspace is ready, navigate to the “SQL pools” tab and click on “New.” Provide the necessary details, such as the pool name, and select the desired performance level.

Step 5: Connect Azure Synapse Analytics to Azure Cosmos DB

In this step, connect Azure Synapse Analytics to Azure Cosmos DB. Go to the “Data” tab within the Synapse workspace and click on “Linked Services.” Select “New” and choose “Azure Cosmos DB” as the source. Enter the required details, including the Cosmos DB account URI, database name, and container name. Test the connection to ensure its success.

Step 6: Query the Replicated Data

Now that the necessary configurations are in place, it’s time to start querying the replicated data from Azure Cosmos DB in Azure Synapse Analytics. Within the Synapse workspace’s “Data” tab, click on “New SQL script.” Compose your SQL query to retrieve the desired data from the Cosmos DB container. Leverage the powerful SQL capabilities provided by Azure Synapse Analytics to perform complex analytics on the replicated data.

Here’s an example SQL query that retrieves all documents from the Cosmos DB container:

SELECT *
FROM OPENROWSET(
'CosmosDB',
'AccountEndpoint=;AccountKey=;Database=;Container=',

)


Replace <cosmosdb-account-uri>, <cosmosdb-account-key>, <database-name>, <container-name>, and <sql-query-options> with the appropriate values specific to your setup.

Conclusion

By implementing Azure Synapse Link and querying the replicated data, you can seamlessly integrate Azure Cosmos DB with Azure Synapse Analytics, enabling real-time analytics on operational data. This integration eliminates the need for complex ETL processes and provides efficient data exploration and analysis capabilities.

Follow the step-by-step process outlined in this article, from setting up the Azure Cosmos DB account to querying the replicated data in Azure Synapse Analytics. Leverage the powerful SQL capabilities provided by Azure Synapse Analytics to gain deep insights from your replicated data.

Start exploring Azure Synapse Link and elevate your data engineering skills on Microsoft Azure to the next level!