What is CloudLink?
CloudLink is Elementum’s secure data integration solution that provides:Secure Access
Direct, encrypted connections to your Snowflake data with IP whitelisting and role-based access control
High Performance
Optimized data transfer with support for real-time updates and change tracking
Easy Management
Simple configuration through Elementum’s interface with automated monitoring
Scalable Architecture
Supports everything from small teams to enterprise-scale deployments
Prerequisites
Before setting up CloudLink, ensure you have:1
Snowflake Requirements
Admin Access
Required: ACCOUNTADMIN role access in SnowflakeNeeded for creating users, roles, and granting permissions
Data Preparation
Required: Tables/views with unique identifiersEach table must have a primary key or unique key column
2
Elementum Access
Admin Privileges
Required: Elementum account with admin privilegesNeeded to configure CloudLink connections
Domain Whitelisting
Included: Your organization domain automatically whitelistedFormat:
[your-org].elementum.io3
Network Configuration
Required: Whitelist Elementum IP addresses in your Snowflake network policy
| Region | IP Addresses |
|---|---|
| US East | 44.210.166.13644.209.114.11452.72.254.246 |
| Europe | 3.124.57.1423.126.230.1953.76.143.79 |
Setup Methods Comparison
Choose the approach that best fits your technical requirements and organizational policies:- Script Setup (Recommended)
- Manual Setup
- License Patrol Integration
Automated SQL Script
Best for: Most implementations - fastest and most reliable approachAdvantages:
- ✅ Quick 15-minute setup
- ✅ Automated configuration with best practices
- ✅ Reduced chance of configuration errors
- ✅ Includes performance optimizations
- ✅ Pre-configured security settings
- ACCOUNTADMIN access
- Ability to run provided SQL script
Implementation Roadmap
Follow this recommended sequence for successful CloudLink implementation:1
Planning Phase
Duration: 1-2 hours
Tasks to Complete
Tasks to Complete
- Inventory Data Sources: List all tables/views to be integrated
- Identify Stakeholders: Determine who needs access to which data
- Security Review: Plan access controls and data sensitivity handling
- Performance Planning: Consider data volumes and update frequencies
- Change Management: Schedule implementation and communicate to users
2
Snowflake Configuration
Duration: 15-90 minutes (depending on method)
- Quick Start
- Custom Setup
Script Setup Guide - Recommended for most users
3
Elementum Configuration
Duration: 15-30 minutesConfigure Connection in Elementum
- Set up connection credentials
- Select tables and schemas
- Configure data naming and transformations
- Test connection and data flow
4
Optimization & Monitoring
Duration: 30-60 minutesPerformance Optimization:
- Configure appropriate table types
- Optimize warehouse settings
- Set up change tracking for real-time updates
- Configure data refresh schedules
- Set up alerts for connection issues
- Establish data quality monitoring
Security and Compliance
CloudLink is designed with security as a priority:Network Security
IP Whitelisting: Only authorized Elementum IPs can access your dataEncrypted Connections: All data transfer uses TLS encryptionVPC Support: Compatible with Snowflake VPC configurations
Access Control
Role-Based Access: Dedicated Elementum service account with minimal permissionsData Isolation: Each organization has separate access controlsAudit Trail: Complete logging of all data access and modifications
Performance Considerations
Optimize your CloudLink setup for the best performance:Data Architecture
- Table Selection
- Warehouse Sizing
Optimize your table types for CloudLink workloads:
- Standard Tables: Best for read-heavy reference data
- Hybrid Tables: Optimal for frequent updates and transactional data
- Views: Efficient for filtered data sharing
Update Strategies
Real-Time Updates
Use change tracking for immediate synchronization
- Best for transactional data
- Minimal latency
- Higher resource usage
Scheduled Updates
Use data mining for batch processing
- Best for analytical data
- Resource efficient
- Configurable intervals (hourly to monthly)
Common Issues and Solutions
Connection Failures
Connection Failures
Symptoms: Unable to establish CloudLink connectionCommon Causes:
- IP addresses not whitelisted in Snowflake network policy
- Service account credentials incorrect
- Role permissions insufficient
- Verify IP whitelist configuration
- Test service account login directly in Snowflake
- Review role permissions against setup guide requirements
Performance Issues
Performance Issues
Symptoms: Slow data synchronization or query timeoutsCommon Causes:
- Warehouse undersized for data volume
- Inefficient table types for workload
- Network connectivity issues
- Review and optimize warehouse sizing
- Implement appropriate table types
- Check network policies and routing
Data Sync Problems
Data Sync Problems
Symptoms: Missing or stale data in ElementumCommon Causes:
- Change tracking not enabled
- Update schedules misconfigured
- Data volume exceeds processing limits
- Enable change tracking on source tables
- Review and adjust sync schedules
- Implement data partitioning for large datasets
Next Steps
Ready to implement CloudLink? Choose your path:Quick Implementation
Script Setup - Get started in 15 minutes with automated configuration
Custom Implementation
Manual Setup - Full control with step-by-step configuration
After Setup
Once your CloudLink connection is established:1
Configure Data Flows
2
Optimize Performance
3
Implement Best Practices
Getting Help
Technical Support
Get help with technical issues and troubleshooting
Community Forum
Connect with other users and share experiences
This guide is updated regularly to reflect the latest CloudLink features and best practices. Last updated: