Configuring an External Database for Sqoop

Sqoop 2 has a built-in Derby database, but Cloudera recommends that you use a PostgreSQL database instead, for the following reasons:
  • Derby runs in embedded mode and it is not possible to monitor its health.
  • It is not clear how to implement a live backup strategy for the embedded Derby database, though it may be possible.
  • Under load, Cloudera has observed locks and rollbacks with the embedded Derby database which don't happen with server-based databases.
See Supported Databases for tested database versions.

Use the procedure that follows to configure Sqoop 2 to use PostgreSQL instead of Apache Derby.

  1. Install PostgreSQL 8.4.x or 9.0.x.
  2. Create the Sqoop User and Sqoop Database
  3. Configure Sqoop 2 to use PostgreSQL

Install PostgreSQL 8.4.x or 9.0.x.

See External PostgreSQL Database.

Create the Sqoop User and Sqoop Database

$ psql -U postgres
Password for user postgres: *****

postgres=# CREATE ROLE sqoop LOGIN ENCRYPTED PASSWORD 'sqoop'
 NOSUPERUSER INHERIT CREATEDB NOCREATEROLE;
CREATE ROLE

postgres=# CREATE DATABASE "sqoop" WITH OWNER = sqoop
 ENCODING = 'UTF8'
 TABLESPACE = pg_default
 LC_COLLATE = 'en_US.UTF8'
 LC_CTYPE = 'en_US.UTF8'
 CONNECTION LIMIT = -1;
CREATE DATABASE

postgres=# \q

Configure Sqoop 2 to use PostgreSQL

Minimum Required Role: Configurator (also provided by Cluster Administrator, Full Administrator)

  1. Go to the Sqoop service.
  2. Click the Configuration tab.
  3. Select Scope > Sqoop 2 Server.
  4. Select Category > Database.
  5. Set the following properties:
    • Sqoop Repository Database Type - postgresql
    • Sqoop Repository Database Host - the hostname on which you installed the PostgreSQL server. If the port is non-default for your database type, use host:port notation.
    • Sqoop Repository Database Name, User, Password - the properties you specified in Create the Sqoop User and Sqoop Database.
  6. Click Save Changes to commit the changes.
  7. Restart the service.