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Cloud Connection to Google Cloud Storage

License requirement

Google Cloud Storage is an addition to the dab Nexus license. It must be included in the dab Nexus license before a connection can be configured.

Overview​

Google Cloud is a collection of cloud services provided by Google. It provides infrastructure, platform, storage, data, and application services that can be managed through the Google Cloud console. Google Cloud Storage is a managed object storage service in Google Cloud. Data is stored as objects in containers called buckets. In dab Nexus, a Google Cloud Storage connection can be used as a destination for data extractions in CSV or Parquet format. For additional information, see the official Google documentation: Google Cloud

Prerequisites​

Before configuring Google Cloud Storage in dab Nexus, ensure that the following requirements are met:

  • A Google account and an active Google Cloud account with billing enabled.
  • A Google Cloud project. When initially using Google Cloud, a project such as My First Project may already be available. Alternatively, create or select a dedicated project for the dab Nexus connection.
  • A Google Cloud Storage bucket for the data extractions.
  • A Google Cloud service account with sufficient permissions to access and write to the target bucket. For least-privilege access, grant only the permissions necessary for the Cloud Storage operations performed by the connection. For the required permissions and available IAM roles, refer to the official Google Cloud documentation:
  • A service account key file for authenticating the connection in dab Nexus. The service account is identified by a RSA key pair. When creating the keys, the user receives a service account file from Google containing information about the account.
info

The bucket must exist before the connection is created in dab Nexus. Enter the bucket name exactly as it appears in Google Cloud Storage.

Create a Google Cloud Storage connection​

Navigate to: Settings > Data Destinations > Cloud Connections > New Connection > Google Cloud Storage Enter a name for the cloud connection and configure the following fields.

Bucket​

Name of the destination bucket. The value must exactly match the bucket name in Google Cloud Storage.

Directory structures​

Flat​

Writes extracted files directly to the target directory without subdirectories. Select Flat when exported data should use the flat directory structure. Example:

<target-directory>/
├── BKPF_S4H_100_Init.csv
└── MARA_S4H_100_Init.csv

Incremental​

Stores extracted files in a separate directory for each table, with each run creating a timestamped file. Select Incremental when exported data should use the incremental directory structure.

The selected directory structure determines how dab Nexus organizes the exported files in the configured bucket and base folder.

<target-directory>/
└── <table-name>/
    └── <timestamp>_<SID>_<CLIENT>_<type>.<format>
Important

With the Incremental directory structure, Merge does not combine new data with an existing file. Instead, each run creates a new timestamped file in the corresponding table directory, while existing files are retained. The Directory Structure determines the supported Replication Strategy:

  • Flat → Overwrite
  • Incremental → Merge

These combinations are enforced during task validation.

File format​

Select the file format for the extracted data:

  • CSV
  • Parquet

Base folder​

Optionally specify the folder in the bucket where the extracted data should be stored. If no custom base folder is specified, sap-export is used by default.

Authentication​

Google Cloud Storage connections use Service Account Key authentication.

  1. Set Authentication Type to Service Account Key.
  2. Under Service Account Key, select Choose.
  3. Select the service account key file.

The service account must have sufficient permissions for the configured Google Cloud Storage bucket and the required export operations.

Test and create the connection​

Select Test Connection to validate the configuration and access to the target bucket. Select Create to save the cloud connection.

If the connection test fails, verify the following values:

  • The configured bucket name exactly matches the Google Cloud Storage bucket name.
  • The selected service account key is valid.
  • The service account has sufficient access to the target bucket.
  • The optional base folder is entered as intended. If no custom value is required, the default sap-export is applied.