Step-by-Step guide to update Microsoft Gateway used for Power BI and other apps v1

[Anonymous]

What is a Gateway?

An on-premises data gateway is software that you install in an on-premises network. The gateway facilitates access to data in that network.

If you have installed the gateway already and are looking forward to updating it to the current version released by Microsoft, then this section is for you. I am trying to highlight the steps that I have implemented in my organization which can help to provide the one-place reference for you to update your gateways.

I have used the November 2019 update from Microsoft while working on this blog, and Microsoft may change the steps in the future, but they can still be used as a reference, as per my understanding.

Let's start!

Requirements

Minimum requirements

• .NET Framework 4.6 (Gateway release August 2019 and earlier)
• .NET Framework 4.7.2 (Gateway release September 2019 and later)
• A 64-bit version of Windows 7 or a 64-bit version of Windows Server 2008 R2

Recommended

• An 8-core CPU
• 8 GB of memory
• A 64-bit version of Windows Server 2012 R2 or later
• Solid state drive (SSD) storage for spooling ( Optional )

Heads-up: Microsoft has planned to use .NET 4.8 framework for gateways February 2020 version or higher

Points to be considered:

• Gateways aren't supported on Server Core installations.
• The user installing the gateway must be the admin of the gateway.
• The gateway can't be installed on a domain controller.
• If you're planning to use Windows authentication, make sure you install the gateway on a computer that's a member of the same Active Directory environment as the data sources.
• You shouldn't install a gateway on a computer, like a laptop, that might be turned off, asleep, or disconnected from the internet. The gateway can't run under any of those circumstances.
• If a gateway uses a wireless network, its performance might suffer.
• You can install up to two gateways on a single computer: one running in personal mode and the other running in standard mode. You can't have more than one gateway running in the same mode on the same computer.

Pre-Check list before install:

• Ensure you have the below sites added in the IE of your Gateway Node
  • https://*.powerbi.com
  • https://login.microsoftonline.com
  • https://powerbi.microsoft.com
  • https://aadcdn.msftauth.net
• Scripting is enabled in IE ( Security Settings > Scripting > Active Scripting Enable )

1. Launch the On-Premises data gateway application and log in to verify the components are working fine.
2. Complete the Network Port Test to verify the connectivity:

Once the Pre-Requisites are completed, download the Power BI Gateway binaries from the site. Gateway update is available on blog usually with the binary name GatewayInstall.exe.

Example:

• Click on Download Gateway .
• Place the binary in your Gateway node. ( In my case I have placed under D:\Gateway\November2019)

Starting the update:

• It is best practice to stop the service while running the update to avoid any binary lock, but you can update it while running it.
• Launch the Installer as “Run as Administrator” i.e. GatewayInstall.exe.
• Depending upon your previous installation, it will pick up the install path.
• Click on “I accept the terms of use and privacy statement”.
• Click on Update.

It will take a while to complete ( 2-10 min depending on the server performance)

• Once completed successfully, you should see the screen below.

Post-installation check:

Once the installation is completed, sign in again and repeat the Network test as mentioned in the Pre-check section.

Log into the Power BI Service using https://powerbi.microsoft.com/en-us/

Navigate to Manage Gateway Section and Check the Updated Gateway is Online.

Cheers,

Mahak Rathore