---
title: Datastores
description: Datastores represent external systems that store user attributes and other data.
component: pingfederate
version: 13.0
page_id: pingfederate:introduction_to_pingfederate:pf_datastores
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingfederate/13.0/introduction_to_pingfederate/pf_datastores.html
revdate: July 5, 2022
section_ids:
  related-links: Related links
---

# Datastores

Datastores represent external systems that store user attributes and other data.

Once defined, PingFederate configurations retrieve user attributes from datastores for contract fulfillment and token authorization in various use cases. PingFederate configurations write certain records or log messages to datastores.

PingFederate supports a wide variety of database servers and directory servers. As needed, the PingFederate SDK supports the creation of custom drivers for connecting to other types of data repositories, such as flat files or SOAP-connected databases. For more information, see the Javadoc for the `CustomDataSourceDriver` interface, the `SamplePropertiesDataStore.java` file for a sample implementation, and the [SDK Developer's Guide](../sdk_developers_guide/pf_sdk_developers_guide.html) for build and deployment information.

|   |                                                                                                                  |
| - | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|   | The Javadoc for PingFederate and the sample implementation are in the `<pf_install>/pingfederate/sdk` directory. |

## Related links

* [System requirements](../installing_and_uninstalling_pingfederate/pf_system_requirements.html)

* [Attribute mapping with multiple data sources](../administrators_reference_guide/pf_attribut_mapp_w_multiple_dat_sources.html)