SQL setup - Direct Query

[jacschZA]

Hi,

We are sruggling with getting a Direct Query Connection to a SQL database on premis. We can complete a LOAD of data from the same SQL database, but when using Direct Query for the exact same Database and using the same SQL username, we are hit by the below. Any ideas?

"

1. A network-related or instance-specific error occurred while establishing a connection to SQL Server. The server was not found or was not accessible. Verify that the instance name is correct and that SQL Server is configured to allow remote connections. (provider: SQL Network Interfaces, error: 25 - Connection string is not valid);The parameter is incorrect. The exception was raised by the IDbConnection interface"

Jacques

[v-cherch-msft]

Hi @jacschZA 

I cannot reproduce the same issue.I would suggest you update to latest version of Power BI Desktop ,please follow the instructions in the article below to troubleshoot this connection error.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/database-engine/configure-windows/troubleshoot-connecting-to-th... 

Please check if below post could help.

https://community.powerbi.com/t5/Desktop/Can-t-connect-to-SQL-server/td-p/196782

Regards,

[jacschZA]

@v-cherch-msft  thanks for the response!

What we ended up trying and what worked was specifying the server name with 'TCP:' as a prefix, and then instead of using a port number at the end of the server name, used the actual name, and this seems to work now for both Direct Query and with the Gateway.

Any idea why this may have been the case?

Jacques

[v-cherch-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi @jacschZA 

Please check if below post could help

https://community.powerbi.com/t5/Power-Query/Schedule-Refresh-doesn-t-work-because-of-port-issues/m-...

Regards,

[jacschZA]

@v-cherch-msft Thats it, the comma instead of the double colon works as well.

Dont understand what it does differently, but it solves my query.