Security in SSAS is a simple yet powerful application of windows integrated security. MDX adds extra power to this by allowing us to conditionally apply security and allow or deny specific sets of data within more global parameters. The most common question I get about security is: How do I test this? If I can’t get all the users to log in and verify their security.
Luckily, Microsoft thought of this, and gave us a really handy, easy tool to do this! Check this out.
Open your SSAS Project in BIDS and make sure it is deployed.
Then go to the Cube Browser and drag some measures and dimensions in and check out this button
It allows you to change the user you’re working with so your context will change as well.
See the options here – This allows you to restrict the context the browser is using to a particular UserID or Role in the cube. You don’t need the user’s password for any of this, which makes it a great tool for developers to test calculations, calculated members, etc..
Next time you want to test something, don’t bug your users, just click the right button!
As always – please post questions to the BIDN forums.
