Connecting MySQL via SSH with Power BI

[Syndicate_Admin]

Connecting MySQL via SSH with powerbi

[TimG123]

Hi, I'm jumping on this thread as I'm also having problems trying to connect Power BI to a MySQL server using an SSH tunnel and this is the only solution I've been able to find that I understand.

However, I can't find the box for "Connect Via SSH" that you mentioned under Advanced Options. I'm using the August 2024 release of Power BI Desktop, is there something else I need to do to get this option?

[hackcrr · Accepted solution]

Hi, @Syndicate_Admin 

Steps to connect to MySQL via SSH using Power BI:
Open Power BI Desktop: Open Power BI Desktop on your computer. click Get Data on the Home tab.
In the Get Data window, select MySQL Database from the list of available data sources. Click Connect.
In the MySQL Database window, enter the server details:
Server: Enter the host name or IP address of the MySQL server.
Database (optional): Enter the name of the database to connect to.
User Name: Enter your MySQL user name.
Password: Enter your MySQL password.
Click OK.
Configure the SSH tunnel:
In the MySQL Database window, click the Advanced Options link.
Check the box labeled Connect via SSH.
Enter the SSH server details:
SSH Host: Enter the host name or IP address of the SSH server.
SSH Port: Enter the SSH port (usually 22).
SSH User Name: Enter your SSH user name.
Authentication Type: Select either Password or SSH Key Pair.
If you are using an SSH key pair, provide the path to your private key file.
Click OK.
Test the connection:
After configuring the SSH tunnel, click Connect.
Power BI establishes an SSH tunnel with the SSH server and then uses the tunnel to connect to the MySQL database.
If the connection is successful, you will be able to preview the data in the MySQL database.
Load Data: After previewing the data and verifying the connection, click Load to import the data into Power BI.

Best Regards,

hackcrr

If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

[jurchiks]

Where did you get this "Connect via SSH" checkbox from?
I just installed the very latest version of Power BI Desktop:

Version: 2.136.1202.0
Date Published: 9/25/2024

And there is NO such option!

Even the official documentation has ZERO mentions of the word "SSH"!
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/search/?scope=Power%20BI&terms=ssh

[hackcrr]

The configuration I mentioned above, you need to configure it in PuTTY instead of configuring it in Power BI. 

The Secure Shell (SSH) protocol is a method for securely sending commands to a computer over an insecure network. SSH uses cryptography to authenticate and encrypt the connection between devices. SSH also enables tunneling or port forwarding, which is when packets of data can traverse a network that they would not otherwise be able to traverse. SSH is commonly used to remotely control servers, manage infrastructure, and transfer files.

You have to understand what it is and then use it, and of course it is not documented in Microsoft's documentation.

[jurchiks]

In your original reply to this topic, you clearly wrote:

---

@hackcrr wrote:

In the MySQL Database window, click the Advanced Options link.

This is extremely misleading, because when adding a MySQL database to Power BI, the window is called exactly that, but there is no such option there.

Fix your original reply.

And while you're at it, it would be worth mentioning what the solution might be for Power BI Cloud, since you can't install PuTTY there.

[hackcrr]

 @jurchiks 

You must first create an SSH tunnel for your Mysql and then connect to him in Power BI, Here are some articles you can refer to:

https://www.optimalbi.com/post/connect-to-mysql-database-from-power-bi-using-ssh-tunnel

 

hackcrr