Understanding Essbase Partitioning

Essbase Partitioning

A partition is the region of a database that is shared with another database. Depending on the type of partition, data can be shared directly between databases (Transparent Partition), copied from one database to another (Replicated Partition), or used as a predefined launching point from one database to another (Linked Partition).

Partition Types:

Types of partitions that are supported in Essbase:

1) Replicated
2) Transparent 
3) Linked

Replicated Partitions - A replicated partition is a copy of a portion of the data source that is stored in the data target. Some users then can access the data in the data source while others access it in the data target. 

Transparent Partitions - A transparent partition allows users to manipulate data that is stored remotely as if it were part of the local database. The remote data is retrieved from the data source each time that users at the data target request it. Users do not need to know where the data is stored, because they see it as part of their database. 

Linked Partitions - A linked partition connects two databases with a data cell. When you click the linked cell in the data target, you will drill across to a second database-the data source-and view the data there. Unlike replicated or transparent partitions, linked partitions do not restrict you to viewing data in the same dimensionality as the target database. With linked partitions, data in not physically transferred from the source to the target. Instead, a data cell or range of cells on the target provides a link point to a cell or range of cells on the source.

Combinations of Data Sources and Data Targets Supported by Partition Type

Source	Target	Replicated	Transparent	Linked
Block storage	Block storage	Yes	Yes	Yes
Aggregate storage	Block storage	No	Yes	Yes
Aggregate storage	Aggregate storage	No	Yes	Yes
Block storage	Aggregate storage	Yes	Yes	Yes

To create a new partition:

Right Click on the Source Database - Create new partition

Select the Partition type: 

Provide the  connection details for "Data Source - Essbase Server" and "Data Target - Essbase Server"