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Learn how to use LDAP queries in SSRS to customize reports and enhance security by querying Active Directory, with practical tools and approaches explained by BI Consultant Wes Springob.
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Querying Active Directory From SSRS To Customize The User Experience And Secure Reports
Introduction Wes Springob (No relation to Mr. Squarepants) • BI Consultant at New York Life • Originally from Pittsburgh, now New Port Richey • Wife Ashley, Portrait Photographer http://SQLWes.com http://twitter.com/SQLWes http://LinkedIn.com/in/SQLWes
Disclosure: • Extensive use of SSRS • Proficient T-SQL Developer • LDAP novice • 0 AD administration experience • Recently exploring reporting of data sources that aren’t SQL Server • Have been wanting to work with AD Data in SSRS for years, but only recently have had the opportunity. • The names have been changed to protect the innocent = No live demo of Active Directory
Use Case • Why would you need to secure a report with AD? Doesn’t the Report Server do that for you? • Short answer, yes it does:
System of record • Many database systems store a user’s Active Directory ID. But they also store a lot more, unfortunately, to “support” the application. Where in most cases, we should be going back to query AD to ensure we are using the most current values.
Tools • A SQL Server with SSRS installed • Management Studio • Visual Studio, BIDS or Report Builder to create RDL’s • Active Directory Explorer • Aids in writing LDAP queries • Free tool, downloadable from Technet • Any domain account typically has sufficient, Read Only, rights to query AD
Approaches • Linked Servers / T-SQL • CLR / System.DirectoryServices Namespace • Custom Code in the RDL / System.DirectoryServicesNamespace • Query AD Directly as a Data source From within the RDL / T-SQL
What is LDAP? • Lightweight Directory Access Protocol “is an open, vendor-neutral, industry standard application protocol for accessing and maintaining distributed directory information services over an Internet Protocol (IP) network.” -- Wikipedia • Used to query or filter Active Directory from T-SQL or .Net code. • Neither AD or LDAP are RDBMS • AD is Optimized for fast reads
Active Directory Explorer Definitions: • dn = Distinguished Name • dc = domain component • ou = organizational unit • cn = common name • sn = surname (last name) • givenName = (First Name)
Resources: Active Directory Explorer Download: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963907.aspx This Slide Deck: http://SQLWes.com