Connecting AWS S3 to SAP Databricks for Unified Analytics and AI

SAP Databricks enables users to integrate disparate data sources, including Amazon S3, to gain a 360-degree view of their enterprise. This guide shows how to connect SAP Databricks to an Amazon S3 bucket, allowing for unified data analysis and AI workflows. Users will create an external location, register a table in Unity Catalog, and run a ready-to-run SAP Databricks notebook to analyze their unified data. Prerequisites include creating the S3 bucket, having the CREATE EXTERNAL LOCATION privilege, and using the AWS CloudFormation template to create the external location.

Databricks PrivateLink offers a secure and private connectivity solution for AWS VPCs and on-premises networks, ensuring data remains isolated from the public internet. This capability is designed to address security and compliance requirements by enabling end-to-end private networking and minimizing the risk of data exfiltration. With PrivateLink, organizations can block data access from unauthorized networks or the public internet, significantly lowering the risk of data exfiltration by restricting network exposure to approved private endpoints only [1].

To deploy Databricks PrivateLink, organizations must create specific configuration objects and update existing configurations with new fields to define private access settings and permitted VPC endpoints. The process involves enabling either front-end or back-end PrivateLink connections independently or both, depending on security and compliance needs. This combined approach delivers comprehensive network isolation, reducing the attack surface and supporting compliance for sensitive workloads [1].

Key Steps to Enable Databricks PrivateLink

1. Configure AWS Network Objects:
- Set up a VPC for your workspace, ensuring it has both DNS Hostnames and DNS resolution enabled.
- Configure network ACLs to allow TCP access to specific ports, including 443 for Databricks infrastructure, 3306 for the metastore, and 6666 for PrivateLink.
- Create extra VPC subnets and security groups as needed to follow the principle of least privilege.

2. Create VPC Endpoints:
- Use the AWS Management Console to create VPC endpoints for the workspace and secure cluster connectivity relay.
- Ensure the VPC endpoints are registered with Databricks to establish VPC endpoint registrations.

3. Create or Update Workspace with PrivateLink Objects:
- Create a workspace using a customer-managed VPC and secure cluster connectivity.
- Configure the workspace to use the Databricks network configuration created in the previous steps.

Benefits of Using Databricks PrivateLink

- Enhanced Security: By blocking data access from unauthorized networks and the public internet, Databricks PrivateLink significantly reduces the risk of data breaches and exfiltration.
- Compliance: The solution helps organizations meet stringent security and compliance requirements by ensuring that data remains within private networks.
- Cost Savings: Minimizing public network exposure can lead to reduced data transfer costs.

Conclusion

Databricks PrivateLink is a robust solution for organizations seeking to enhance data security and compliance. By leveraging private connectivity, organizations can protect sensitive data and meet regulatory requirements, all while maintaining seamless data integration and analysis capabilities. As data security becomes increasingly critical, adopting solutions like Databricks PrivateLink is essential for modern enterprises.

References

[1] https://docs.databricks.com/aws/en/security/network/classic/privatelink