Databricks-DE-Pro Data Sharing and Federation Practice Question
A Data Engineer is setting up Lakehouse Federation for a PostgreSQL database. Which TWO steps are required to ensure that users can securely query the data using Unity Catalog?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often think querying external databases requires manual table replication or creating local views, skipping the required Unity Catalog connection and foreign catalog steps.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create a connection object with appropriate credentials in Unity Catalog.
To set up Lakehouse Federation, you must first establish a connection object that stores credentials securely in Unity Catalog. Then, you must create a foreign catalog that maps the remote database to a local Unity Catalog structure. These two steps enable Unity Catalog to manage permissions and translate queries for the federated source without exposing raw credentials to end users.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Create a connection object with appropriate credentials in Unity Catalog.
Why this is correct
Creating a connection object is the first step. It encapsulates the connection details (URL, driver, etc.) and credentials (e.g., username/password or secret) in a secure manner. This object is stored in Unity Catalog, allowing administrators to manage access centrally and providing compute clusters with necessary information to access.
- ✗
Ingest all PostgreSQL data into a S3 bucket first.
Why it's wrong here
Ingestion is not required for Lakehouse Federation. The purpose of federation is to avoid the cost and latency of data movement. By querying directly, users access the source system in real-time, which is the primary value proposition of the federation feature compared to traditional batch-based ETL ingestion.
- ✓
Create a foreign catalog that references the PostgreSQL connection.
Why this is correct
A foreign catalog acts as the entry point for the external data within Unity Catalog. It links the connection object to the specific remote database, allowing users to navigate and query the external schema as if it were part of the local Unity Catalog metadata hierarchy for seamless access.
- ✗
Install a custom JDBC driver on every user's local machine.
Why it's wrong here
JDBC drivers are handled by the Databricks SQL Warehouse or cluster runtime environments. Users do not need to install drivers on their local machines. All interaction with the external database is mediated by the Databricks compute resources, ensuring a consistent and secure environment for all authorized workspace users.
- ✗
Configure a VPC peering connection to the external database.
Why it's wrong here
While network connectivity is necessary, VPC peering is only one possible method and is not a requirement for Unity Catalog configuration. Other methods like Private Link or even public internet (with firewalls) can work. The focus of the question is on Unity Catalog configuration steps, not infrastructure networking configuration.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Databricks exam blueprint
This Databricks-DE-Pro practice question is part of Courseiva's free Databricks certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the Databricks-DE-Pro exam.