Introduction
Since version 7 (OLAP Services), a client must use an OLEDB for OLAP (ODBO) provider to connect to an Analysis Services database.
Microsoft provides a client setup which embeds this provider plus extra related components, such as local cube generation layer. This setup is called Pivot Table Services, or OLE DB Provider for Analysis Services, depending on the SSAS version it corresponds to.
Until SSAS 2005, ODBO provider was "talking" directly with OLAP server. Then SSAS 2005 came with a new XML for Analysis protocol (XMLA). ODBO is still the way to query SSAS 2005. For more details, check this link.
With the coming of SSAS 2008, let’s have a look at potential changes for connecting.
Connecting
An easy way to test connection to SSAS is by using Microsoft Data Links.
A Data Link can be defined by creating an empty .txt file, and changing its extension to .udl.
In the provider list, we notice a new item "Microsoft OLE DB Provider for Analysis Services 10.0".
Does this mean we’ll need a new a new provider to connect to SSAS 2008?
If we look at the connection string generated by the Data Link (once server and database have been set), we don’t see any difference compared to a SSAS 2005 connection string.
[oledb]
; Everything after this line is an OLE DB initstring
Provider=MSOLAP;Integrated Security=SSPI;Persist Security Info=False;Initial Catalog=Adventure Works DW;Data Source=localhost
Looking for provider details
A deep search in Windows registry helps getting more information on MSOLAP CLSID:
- HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MSOLAP key has (default) value "MSOLAP 10.0 OLE DB Provider".
- HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MSOLAP\CurVer has (default) value "MSOLAP.4", which is the exact CLSID for SSAS 2008 ODBO provider.
Lets retrieve HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\MSOLAP.4\CLSID default value ({10154F28-4979-4166-B114-3E7A7926C747}) and use it to jump to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{10154F28-4979-4166-B114-3E7A7926C747}\InprocServer32 key: default value is C:\Program Files\Microsoft Analysis Services\AS OLEDB\10\msolap100.dll.
The new SSAS 2008 OLEDB for OLAP provider is hosted by DLL msolap100.dll.
If we explore C:\Program Files\Microsoft Analysis Services\AS OLEDB\10 folder, we will find other related DLLs.
Note the msmdlocal.dll file grew up from 15 Mb to 22 Mb. Maybe this CTP still includes debugging information that will be removed for RTM.
Compatibility
There is still one big question: will we need to deploy a new ODBO provider to access SSAS 2008?
The coming of a dedicated provider (version 10) tends to confirm this.
The best way to be sure is by trying to connect to SSAS 2008 by using SSAS 2005 ODBO provider. We’ll do this from a separate PC to insure no favorable interference between 2005 and 2008 providers.
The test is successful: we can connect using ODBO for SSAS 2005, which is a good point.
Connection properties
If we compare connection string properties exposed by SSAS 2005 and SSAS 2008 providers, we notice a new property for SSAS 2008: Update Isolation Level.
Here are some quotes from BOL about this property:
- "Specifies whether the cells in a single UPDATE CUBE statement are isolated from each other. The default is not isolated." (taken from AdomdConnection.ConnectionString Property).
- "When updated cells do not overlap, the Update Isolation Level connection string property can be used to enhance performance for UPDATE CUBE" (taken from Write-Enabled Partitions).
So, this connection property is dedicated to writeback, one of my favorite subjects. I suppose ODBO provider for SSAS 2008 will be required to benefit this new property. I will not say more on it, as I think it deserves a full article on its own…
Schema rowsets
Book Online doesn’t mention new OLEDB schema rowsets. A new feature, metadata rowsets, allows query of metadata without using the object model. This very good article from Vidas Matelis deals with this subject.
Conclusion
Good news:
- The object model for querying didn’t change, so an application developed for SSAS 2005 will work with SSAS 2008.
- SSAS 2005 ODBO provider is compatible with SSAS 2008, avoiding deployment of a new ODBO provider, and making server migration transparent on client side.
Update (24/02/2008)
Darren Gosbell as written an article on SSAS 2008 CTP 6 schema rowsets. It seems that there a few new things.
Michel Caradec's BI Blog 
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