# Configuring Spark SDK workspace data connections

The SDK requires a connection to the Tonic Structural web server. In Structural, you create a workspace that connects to a Spark database.

To retrieve the table information and data, you provide a connection to a Hive catalog database.

When you create the workspace, to indicate that you are using the Spark SDK:

1. Select **Spark** as the connection type.
2. Select **Self-managed** as the cluster type.

## Providing the connection details <a href="#spark-sdk-data-connection-hive-connection-details" id="spark-sdk-data-connection-hive-connection-details"></a>

Under **Catalog Database**, to connect to a Hive catalog using the SDK:

1. In the **Hive Catalog Database** field, enter the name of the database.
2. In the **Server** field, provide the server where the database is located.
3. In the **Port** field, provide the port to use to connect to the database.
4. In the **Username** field, provide the username for the account to use to connect to the database.
5. In the **Password** field, provide the password for the specified user.
6. To test the connection to the Hive catalog database, click **Test Hive Connection**.

## Enabling validation of table filters <a href="#spark-sdk-data-connection-hive-table-filter-validation" id="spark-sdk-data-connection-hive-table-filter-validation"></a>

For Spark workspaces, you can provide `WHERE` clauses to filter tables. For details, go to [#table-mode-filter-tables](https://docs.tonic.ai/app/generation/table-modes#table-mode-filter-tables "mention").

The **Enable partition filter validation** setting indicates whether Structural validates those filters when you create them.

By default, the setting is in the on position, and Structural validates the filters. To disable the validation, toggle **Enable partition filter validation** to the off position.


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