An external content type is used to connect SharePoint columns and external lists to external data stored in databases, web services, and other systems. Creating external content types is the key to turning SharePoint into your organization's data hub.
This recipe works for:
SharePoint 2010 Foundation
SharePoint 2010 Standard Edition
SharePoint 2010 Enterprise Edition
Office 365 (SharePoint Online)
You will need the Full Control permission level to run this recipe.
You will need connection details for an external data source that you wish to connect to. This recipe uses the Adventures sample database for illustration. You can download the AdventureWorks database from – http://msftdbprodsamples.codeplex.com/releases/view/37109
You will need a SharePoint site where you wish to define the external content type.