SQL API architecture

  • リリースバージョン: Australia
  • 更新日 2026年03月12日
  • 所要時間：4分

    • The SQL API architecture demonstrates how the SQL API plugin integrates with the ServiceNow system to provide secure, read-only data access through industry-standard ODBC and JDBC drivers.

    The SQL API architecture provides a high-level view of how external Business Intelligence (BI) tools and data analysis platforms connect to your ServiceNow instance through standard database APIs. The architecture ensures secure, read-only access to your ServiceNow data while maintaining all security controls and access restrictions defined in your ServiceNow instance.

    Architecture Overview

    The SQL API uses ServiceNow web services to provide a query-only interface. This architecture enables direct connections from ODBC and JDBC-compatible tools to your ServiceNow data without requiring data export or replication.

    The following diagram illustrates the high-level architecture of how SQL API interacts with the ServiceNow system:

    図 : 1. SQL API Architecture Diagram. This diagram shows the high-level architecture of how SQL API interacts with the ServiceNow system through ODBC and JDBC drivers, connecting external BI tools to ServiceNow tables while respecting security and access controls.

    Architecture diagram showing SQL API interaction with ServiceNow system components including ODBC/JDBC drivers, web services layer, and database tables

    Key Architectural Components

    The SQL API architecture consists of the following key components:

    Client Applications
    External BI tools and data analysis platforms such as Tableau, Power BI, Looker, and DBvisualizer that connect using ODBC or JDBC protocols.
    ODBC/JDBC Drivers
    Industry-standard database drivers that enable client applications to establish connections and execute SQL queries against ServiceNow data.
    SQL API Plugin
    The ServiceNow plugin that processes incoming SQL queries and translates them into ServiceNow web service calls.
    Web Services Layer
    The intermediary layer that handles authentication, authorization, and query processing. This layer ensures that all Access Control List (ACL) rules and security policies are enforced before data is returned.
    ServiceNow Tables
    The underlying data tables that store your ServiceNow records. The SQL API provides query access to authorized tables based on user permissions and configured ACLs.

    How the Architecture Works

    When you connect your BI tool to ServiceNow through the SQL API, the following process occurs:

    1. Your BI tool establishes a standard database connection using either ODBC or JDBC APIs.
    2. The connection request is authenticated against ServiceNow user credentials configured for SQL API access.
    3. Once authenticated, you can write SQL queries to retrieve data from authorized ServiceNow tables and fields.
    4. The SQL API processes your queries through the web services layer, applying all security controls and access restrictions.
    5. Query results are returned in standard tabular format, which your BI tool can visualize, analyze, or export.