# Data connections, drivers and published data sources

*Tableau Server Administrator Study Guide · Preparation · Last updated November 13, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/tableau-server-administrator/preparation/data-connections-drivers-and-published-data-sources*

How Tableau Server reaches data: the repository port and direct connection path, which nodes need database drivers, file versus relational versus cube sources, live versus extract query execution, the Run As account, and why published data sources help administrators.

- Certification: Salesforce Tableau Server Administrator
- Exam section: Preparation
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/tableau-server-administrator

**Official exam objective:**

> 1.8 Data Source Identification: 1.8.1 Identify the ports required; 1.8.2 Identify the necessary database drivers; 1.8.3 Understand the differences between: 1.8.3.1 File vs. Relational vs. Cube, 1.8.3.2 Extract vs. Live Connections; 1.8.4 Explain the benefits of published data sources.

## What the exam expects

- Identify the ports and connection path used to reach the Tableau Server repository, including behind a load balancer.
- Identify which nodes need database drivers and how to replace a driver safely.
- Classify a connection as file-based, relational or cube, and state what cube sources cannot do on Server.
- Contrast live and extract connections, including which engine answers the queries.
- Explain the benefits and editing restrictions of published data sources, and the Run As account's role in reaching data.

Key terms:
- **Database driver:** software a Tableau connector needs to talk to the database.
- **Cube (multidimensional, OLAP) data source:** a source whose hierarchies and aggregations were built in advance by its designer.
- **Extract:** a compressed snapshot of data saved separately from the original source and queried by the Data Engine.
- **Published data source:** a data connection shared on Tableau Server that other workbooks connect to.
- **Run As service account:** the Windows account Tableau Server runs as when it accesses resources.

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Repository port | `pgsql.port`, default 8060; database `workgroup` | [Collect Data with the Repository](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/perf_collect_server_repo.htm) |
| Not in `list-ports` | 8060 and 8061 are not dynamically mapped | [TSM Ports](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/ports.htm) |
| Apache load balancer | Custom admin views connect directly to the repository | [Add a Load Balancer](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/distrib_lb.htm) |
| Driver nodes | Initial node plus nodes running Application Server, Backgrounder, Data Server or VizQL | [Database Drivers](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/dbdriver.htm) |
| Driver updates | Stop Server first (recommended, not always required) | [Database Drivers](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/dbdriver.htm) |
| Cube definition | Hierarchies and aggregations created in advance | [Cube Data Sources](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/cubes.htm) |
| Cube on Server | Stored and downloadable; no pass-through, no new workbook | [Cube Data Sources](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/cubes.htm) |
| Extract queries | Answered by the Data Engine (Hyper) | [Tableau Server Data Engine](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/data_engine2_intro.htm) |
| Published source updates | All connected workbooks pick up changes | [Tableau Server Data Sources](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/datasource.htm) |
| Default Run As | NT Authority\Network Service | [Run As Service Account](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/runas.htm) |

## Check yourself

- Why does downloading a workbook that connects to an extract-based published data source reduce network traffic?
- Why is custom SQL a reason to prefer an extract?
- When does Tableau prompt you to extract a text file?
- On which Tableau Desktop platform are cube data sources supported?

## Sources

- [Database Drivers](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/dbdriver.htm)
- [Tableau Server Data Sources](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/datasource.htm)
- [Collect Data with the Tableau Server Repository](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/perf_collect_server_repo.htm)
- [Tableau Services Manager Ports](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/ports.htm)
- [Add a Load Balancer](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/distrib_lb.htm)
- [Cube Data Sources](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/cubes.htm)
- [Connect to Your Data](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/basicconnectoverview.htm)
- [Test Your Data and Use Extracts](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/perf_extracts.htm)
- [Extract Your Data](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/extracting_data.htm)
- [Tableau Server Data Engine](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/data_engine2_intro.htm)
- [Run As Service Account](https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/runas.htm)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 8 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Tableau Server Administrator pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams