# Tableau Bridge clients, pools and refresh schedules

*Tableau Consultant Study Guide · Plan and Prepare Data Connections · Last updated November 3, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/tableau-consultant/plan-and-prepare-data-connections/tableau-bridge-clients-pools-and-refresh-schedules*

Decide which Tableau Cloud data needs Tableau Bridge, then design it: Bridge refresh schedules instead of legacy schedules, named pools mapped through the Private Network Allowlist, Service versus Application mode, UNC paths for files, client sizing from the Bridge FAQ, and the limits on live files and Prep Conductor flows.

- Certification: Salesforce Tableau Consultant
- Exam section: Plan and Prepare Data Connections
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/tableau-consultant

**Official exam objective:**

> Create connections by using Tableau Bridge.

## What the exam expects

- Identify which data sources need Bridge: private network data Tableau Cloud can't reach directly, on premises or in an isolated private cloud.
- Choose Bridge refresh schedules over Bridge legacy schedules, including for virtual connections and file-based data.
- Design pools: named pools mapped to domains in the Private Network Allowlist, at least two clients for redundancy, clients running as a service.
- Configure the client: Service versus Application mode, local Administrators membership, share access, UNC paths, and the site role the signed-in user needs.
- Size the client count from the Bridge FAQ, and recognize what Bridge can't do (live files, cubes, Prep Conductor flows on flat files).

Key terms:
- **Tableau Bridge:** a free proxy client behind the firewall that connects private network data to Tableau Cloud over an outbound connection.
- **Bridge refresh schedule:** a Tableau Cloud-managed schedule that runs extract refreshes on pooled clients.
- **Bridge legacy schedule:** a schedule tied to one client, with credentials embedded in that client.
- **Pool:** a set of clients that load balance data freshness tasks for the domains mapped to it.
- **Private Network Allowlist:** the domains or IPv4 addresses Bridge may reach for each pool.

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Reachable cloud data | Schedule directly on Tableau Cloud, not through Bridge | [Connectivity with Bridge](https://help.tableau.com/current/online/en-us/to_sync_local_data.htm) |
| Live connections to files | Not supported; files are extract only | [Connectivity with Bridge](https://help.tableau.com/current/online/en-us/to_sync_local_data.htm) |
| Prep Conductor flows on flat files | Not supported through Bridge | [Connectivity with Bridge](https://help.tableau.com/current/online/en-us/to_sync_local_data.htm) |
| Legacy schedules | No virtual connections; credentials embedded in the client | [Refresh schedule](https://help.tableau.com/current/online/en-us/to_sync_schedule.htm) |
| Pool versions | 2021.4+ for virtual connections; 2021.4.3+ for file data | [Configure Pools](https://help.tableau.com/current/online/en-us/to_enable_bridge_live_connections.htm) |
| Allowlist | Empty by default; domains plus pools at most 100 | [Configure Pools](https://help.tableau.com/current/online/en-us/to_enable_bridge_live_connections.htm) |
| Service mode | Local Administrators member; runs with user logged off | [Bridge client](https://help.tableau.com/current/online/en-us/to_bridge_client.htm) |
| Live-connection client user | Site Administrator Creator or Site Administrator Explorer | [Bridge client](https://help.tableau.com/current/online/en-us/to_bridge_client.htm) |
| Clients per Windows machine | One; one site at a time | [Bridge FAQ](https://help.tableau.com/current/online/en-us/to_bridge_faq.htm) |
| Client capacity | 10 concurrent extract refreshes by default; 16 live queries | [Bridge FAQ](https://help.tableau.com/current/online/en-us/to_bridge_faq.htm) |
| Refresh token | Expires after 14 days unused | [Bridge client](https://help.tableau.com/current/online/en-us/to_bridge_client.htm) |

## Check yourself

- When does a regularly used Bridge refresh token expire?
- Why must the connected clients option stay enabled on the site?
- How many days of refresh activity does the Bridge Extracts admin view keep?
- When may a published file extract keep a local path rather than UNC?

## Sources

- [Connectivity with Bridge](https://help.tableau.com/current/online/en-us/to_sync_local_data.htm)
- [About the Bridge Client](https://help.tableau.com/current/online/en-us/to_bridge_client.htm)
- [Configure Pools](https://help.tableau.com/current/online/en-us/to_enable_bridge_live_connections.htm)
- [Set Up a Private Network Refresh Schedule](https://help.tableau.com/current/online/en-us/to_sync_schedule.htm)
- [Tableau Bridge FAQ](https://help.tableau.com/current/online/en-us/to_bridge_faq.htm)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 9 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Tableau Consultant pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams