Which TSM component is primarily responsible for interacting with Tableau Server data sources?

The Data Server component of Tableau Server is primarily responsible for interacting with data sources. This component is crucial because it manages connections to the various data sources, ensuring that users can access and interact with the data they need for their analyses. It handles tasks such as caching data extracts, ensuring performance efficiency, and managing the metadata associated with the data sources.

In addition to directly interfacing with data sources, the Data Server provides features such as creating and managing data extracts, which optimize performance when users query the data. Furthermore, it enables centralized data management and governance by allowing administrators to define security rules and manage permissions on data sources.

The other components listed have different primary functions. The Application Server handles the web application needs of Tableau Server, including processing user requests and managing sessions. The Backup/Restore component focuses on backing up Tableau Server configurations and data, ensuring that administrators can recover from failures. Client File Service is responsible for managing file storage and serving content that users interact with, such as workbook files, but does not directly deal with the data sources themselves.