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Getting started with the NetApp Connector for Microsoft Copilot and Azure NetApp Files

GeertVanTeylingen's avatar
Jan 09, 2025

Imagine a world where your on-premises and enterprise cloud files seamlessly integrate with Microsoft Copilot unleashing AI on your Azure NetApp Files enterprise data, and making your workday smoother and more efficient. Welcome to the future with the NetApp Connector for Microsoft Copilot!

 

Table of Contents

Introduction

Prerequisites

Install the NetApp Connector for Copilot

Adding Additional Connectors

Demonstration

Summary

Additional information

Introduction

Imagine a world where your on-premises and enterprise cloud files seamlessly integrate with Microsoft 365 Copilot unleashing AI on your Azure NetApp Files enterprise data, and making your workday smoother and more efficient. Welcome to the future with the NetApp Connector for Microsoft Copilot!

The NetApp Connector for Microsoft Copilot is a fully managed solution provided by Office 365 that integrates your on-premises and enterprise cloud data, including high-performance Azure NetApp Files, with the AI capabilities of Microsoft 365 Copilot. This enables you to harness the full potential of the business intelligence stored on your NetApp systems without the need for any data migration. Whether you're drafting a document in Word or creating a presentation in PowerPoint, Copilot's advanced AI capabilities are at your fingertips, ready to enhance your productivity and streamline your workflows.

But that's not all. The NetApp Connector ensures that your data remains secure and compliant with existing Microsoft 365 role-based access controls. This ensures that your data is secure while you benefit from seamless integration and improved functionality.

Co-authors

  • Kirk Ryan, Office of the CTO (NetApp)
  • Kyle Radder, Azure NetApp Files Technical Marketing Engineer

Prerequisites

Prior to the installation and configuration of the NetApp Connector, complete the following prerequisites.

(!) Note

The VM running the Graph Connector Agent requires network connectivity to the Azure NetApp Files share(s) to be indexed.

 

Install the NetApp Connector for Copilot

Clone the repository on the VM (Ensure that access to the repository noted in the prerequisites has been requested):

git clone https://github.com/NetApp/netapp-copilot-connector

Run npm install in the repo directory to install all dependencies:

npm install

Copy the Manifest.json file to the GCA installation directory (default is C:\Program Files\Graph connector agent):

copy Manifest.json C:\Program Files\Graph connector agent

Adding Additional Connectors

To add additional connectors, such as for additional shares, perform the following steps.

Make a copy of the netapp-copilot-connector directory (i.e. netapp-copilot-connector-2). If you use PowerShell, run the following command:

Copy-Item -Path "C:\Source\file.txt" -Destination "C:\Destination"

Within the new directory modify the following files with a new GUID: (Create a new GUID at GUID Generator).

Manifest.json

Update the connectorId under the configuration object:

{
"connectorId": "5e0f1fd8-bdba-44a4-be18-408515dd2326",
"authTypes": ["Windows"],
"additionalCrawlsSupported": ["Incremental"]
}

ConnectionInfo.json

Update the providerId under the configuration object:

{"id": "NetAppConnector","name": "NetAppConnector","description": "NetApp Connector","configuration": {"providerId": "5e0f1fd8-bdba-44a4-be18-408515dd2326","scheduleSetting": {"fullSyncInterval": 60},"CredentialData": {"Path": "\\\\anf-2669.demo.yourdomain.com\\sharename","AuthenticationKind": "windows","CredentialDetails": {"loginId": "yourloginusername","loginSecret": "yourpassword","domain": "demo.yourdomain.com"}},"ProviderParameters": null}}

CustomConnectorPortMap.json

This file resides in the Graph Connector installation directory, be sure to add the second and additional connectors as follows so that you have a list of all connectors, and their unique ports (note each connector should have its own unique port if running on the same host/VM).

{"f3ab6fb9-fd9d-4a28-907e-5e739786bb80": "50051","5e0f1fd8-bdba-44a4-be18-408515dd2326": "50052"}

server.js

Search for all instances of "connectorId" and update them to your newly generated GUID.

// Get basic information about connectorGetBasicConnectorInfo: (call, callback) => {
       // Print the request object to the consoleconsole.log("Responding to Get Basic Connector Info Request");

        // Process the requestconst { request } = call;
       // const { connectorId } = request;// This model doesn't have any properties; properties might be added in the future as required: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/graph/custom-connector-sdk-contracts-connectorinfo#getbasicconnectorinforequest// Handle the request and send a responseconst response = {
           connectorId: "5e0f1fd8-bdba-44a4-be18-408515dd2326"        };
       callback(null, response);
   },

 

Update the port (if you run a second connector on the same host/VM - for example 50052, 50053 and so on):

// Start the serverconst serverAddress = 'localhost:50052';
server.bindAsync(serverAddress, grpc.ServerCredentials.createInsecure(), () => {
   server;    console.log(`Server running at ${serverAddress}`);
});

 

Once configured, run the install-service.js command, which will install the NetApp connector as a Windows Service that can be monitored and controlled via the standard services.msc command. This also ensures the service automatically starts upon boot. Without this, the service would need to be manually started and stopped.

node install-service.js

 

If the service needs to be uninstalled, run the uninstall-service.js command which will remove the service from the windows services.

node uninstall-service.js

Demonstration

Watch the Quick Bytes video for an overview as well as powerful real-world examples of unleashing AI on your data with Microsoft Copilot.

Summary

With the NetApp Connector for Copilot, you can unlock the full potential of your business intelligence without the need for data migration, making it an invaluable tool for modern enterprises. Embrace this innovative solution and experience a new level of efficiency and effectiveness in your digital workspace. Stay tuned for more insights and real-world applications of the NetApp Connector for Microsoft Copilot.

Additional information

Updated Dec 17, 2024
Version 1.0
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