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Ellie x Collibra Integration Guide

Ellie x Collibra Integration Guide

Overview

The Ellie x Collibra connector allows you to:

  • Map Folders in Ellie to Domains in Collibra.

  • Synchronize Glossary Elements between Ellie and Collibra.

  • Sync Conceptual Models from Ellie to Collibra.

  • Automate or Manually trigger sync operations.

This guide explains how to configure and use the connector effectively.

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Key Features

  1. Folder Mapping
    Map one or more Ellie folders to corresponding Collibra domains to maintain a consistent structure.

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  1. Glossary Elements Sync

    • Bi-directional sync of glossary items (terms).

    • Map metadata fields (e.g., descriptions, statuses, custom fields) between Ellie and Collibra.

    • Choose a master system (Ellie or Collibra) to resolve conflicts.

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  1. Conceptual Model Sync

    • One-way sync from Ellie to Collibra.

    • Define which Collibra asset type represents Ellie’s conceptual model.

    • Relate entities to models in Collibra using a relationship type (e.g., “Used In Model,” “Contains Entity,” etc.).

    • Each model in Collibra includes a direct link back to Ellie.

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  1. Sync Options

    • Manual Sync: Trigger on-demand sync through the connector UI in Ellie.

    • Automated Sync: Schedule recurring syncs using cron-style scheduling (e.g., every hour or once per day).

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Prerequisites

  1. Collibra Connector Access
    Ensure you have Ellie admin privileges to set up a connector.

  2. Collibra Admin Permissions
    You’ll need valid Collibra credentials (username/password) with the appropriate organization URL and API access rights to connect.

  3. Metadata Fields

    • In Ellie, add the custom metadata fields “External Term ID” and “External Glossary ID” to your conceptual entity (in the Admin Settings -> Metadata).

    • Note: This step is required for the sync to function properly.

  4. Entity & Model Relationship (needed for Conceptual Model Sync)
    In Collibra, have a relationship type defined to link an asset representing an Ellie “conceptual entity” with an asset representing an Ellie “conceptual model.”

 


 

Setup & Configuration

  1. Create a Collibra Connector

    • In Ellie, go to Admin Tools > Connectors.

    • Click New Collibra Connection.

    • Provide:

      • Name (e.g., “Collibra Connector”),

      • Collibra Organization (the URL or tenant link),

      • Authentication (Collibra username & password).

  2. Select Folders to Sync

    • Pick the Ellie folder(s) containing glossary items or models that you want to sync.

    • Map these folders to the correct domains in Collibra.

  3. Configure Glossary Sync

    • Choose which Collibra asset types represent glossary “entities” or “terms.”

    • Map relevant metadata fields (e.g., names, definitions, etc.).

  4. Configure Conceptual Model Sync

    • Select the Collibra asset type that represents an Ellie conceptual model (e.g., “Conceptual Model” in Collibra).

    • Select the relationship between the assets.

      • Note: Ensure a relationship definition exists in Collibra (e.g., “contains entity” or “used in model”) that links:

        1. Entity asset type ↔ Conceptual Model asset type.

    • Map any necessary metadata fields (description, Ellie model link, etc.).

  5. Define Automated or Manual Sync

    • Manual Sync: Click Sync Now whenever you want to push/pull changes with a specific tool acting as Master.

    • Decide which tool acts as the master (Ellie or Collibra).

    • Automated Sync: Enable scheduling with a cron expression (e.g., 0 17 * * * for daily at 5 PM).

Multiple Connectors

  • Ellie supports multiple Collibra connectors.

  • Recommended Practice:

    • Use one connector where Ellie is the master for glossaries/models.

    • Use another connector where Collibra is the master.

    • This ensures clearer oversight (separate logs and configurations) for each direction of sync.

Synchronization Process

  1. Manual Sync

    • In the Connector list, click Sync Now to start the process.

    • Monitor progress via the Logs section.

  2. Automated Sync

    • If you’ve scheduled syncs, they’ll run at the defined times without manual intervention.

    • Review logs for any errors or conflicts.

  3. Post-Sync Verification

    • In Collibra: Check that glossary items and conceptual models appear in the chosen domains with correct metadata.

    • In Ellie: Ensure that any changes made in Collibra are reflected in your Ellie folder (when Collibra is master).

Logs & Troubleshooting

  • Logs:

    • Navigate to the Connector’s detailed view to see logs of all sync activities.

    • Errors or warnings (e.g., missing relationships, unmapped fields) are highlighted here.

  • Common Issues:

    • Missing Metadata Fields: Ensure “External Term ID” and “External Glossary ID” are added in Collibra.

    • Relationship Mismatch: Confirm that each Collibra asset type is linked to the correct relationship definition.

FAQ

  1. Can models be synced from Collibra back to Ellie?

    • No. Conceptual model sync is strictly Ellie → Collibra. Glossary item sync, however, is bidirectional.

  2. What happens if the sync fails?

    • Check the error logs in the connector’s detail view. Most issues arise from missing metadata fields or relationship definitions. Fix these and re-run the sync.

  3. Can I revise asset-type mappings after setup?

    • Yes. You can update mappings anytime, but remember to re-run or re-schedule the sync if changes are made.

  4. Is it okay to sync the same folder with multiple connectors?

    • Generally not recommended. If you do, carefully manage mappings to avoid conflicts and duplication.

 

 

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