What exactly is a Power BI Gateway?

[HamidBee]

I have read the documentation on the Microsoft Website and I have watched a few videos of people explaining it. However I am still finding it difficult to understand it.

"Gateway software acts like a bridge; it allows organizations to retain databases and other data sources on their on-premises networks and access that on-premises data in cloud services, such as Power BI and Microsoft Azure Analysis Services."

1. What exactly is meant by on premises networks. If I have data stored on my personal desktop for example would that be considered as on-premises?

2. If Power BI is a cloud service does that mean when I open Power BI desktop and load a file it is technically in the clourd?. I am so lost.

I was also watching a video by Adam Saxton from Guy in a cube he had the following to say:

"The whole point of the gateway is to get to resources that Power BI generally can't connect to and whien it's on premises it (doesn't know anything about it."

3. What are some examples of data sources that he is speaking of?

 

I've connected to data from a local SQL file using SQL statements in Power BI and also a sharepoint file without the use of a Power BI Gateway so I'd kindly like to ask what exactly I am missing here.

4. What is the differnece when using a Gateway in this situation?.

5. Do I need to set up a Power BI Gateway inorder to setup a scheduled refresh?

[amitchandak]

@HamidBee , if there is a data source that you can not access directly through power bi service you need an on-premise gateway

Mostly cloud database you can access on service (you can test by creating dataflow) example - snowflake , Azure SQL, sharepoint etc.

If you have on premise (LAN/WAN) source or cloud source that can not open outside company's network. You might need on premise gateways. It will create a bridge to get data from on-premise source

Best - install enterprise gateway - Not personal one - on a common system, which is running 24 X7

It should have good network bandwidth

Do I need to set up a Power BI Gateway inorder to setup a scheduled refresh?

yes for on premise sources

Gateway
https://radacad.com/the-power-bi-gateway-all-you-need-to-know
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/connect-data/service-gateway-onprem
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/connect-data/service-gateway-onprem-tshoot

[HamidBee]

Thank you @amitchandak . I'd like to mark this as a solution but I think some information maybe missing or perhaps I have misunderstood. Allow me to organize the answers that you've given and maybe you can elaborate or correct me if I'm wrong. 

1. Any data that cannot be obtained by Power Bi Desktop or Power BI App? would be considered on premise data. Here I am not sure if it is the Desktop or the online App (app.powerbi.com). I know you mentioned Power BI Service but I'm not sure which one that refers to.

2.

3. On Premises data sources include SQL Server, SSAS, Sharepoint etc.

4. If question one is clarified this would become clear hopefully.

5. Yes, for on premise data

Any helpw would be greatly appreciated.

[amitchandak]

@HamidBee 

. Any data that cannot be obtained by Power Bi Desktop or Power BI App? would be considered on premise data. Here I am not sure if it is the Desktop or the online App (app.powerbi.com). I know you mentioned Power BI Service but I'm not sure which one that refers to.

app.powerbi.com is also known as power bi service. You can create dataflow there. If you can access source these without any gateway, then you do not need gateway

If your SQL server is on your desktop of LAN you need on premise gateway for that. But for Auzre SQL you do not need, you can give permission so that power bi service can directly access that

Dataflows and Dataset Design Pattern implementation: https://youtu.be/zwhJ1hWPcrA

2.

3. On Premises data sources include SQL Server, SSAS, Sharepoint etc.

If install on permise

SQL Server - we have cloude Azure SQL

SSAA - cloud we have AAS

Sharepoint online should act as cloud 

4. If question one is clarified this would become clear hopefully.

5. Yes, for on premise data

Check this whitepaper

https://download.microsoft.com/download/4/8/c/48c693c9-6729-43bb-8cd2-3e6bfe4f8f52/Planning%20a%20Po...

[HamidBee]

I am going to summarize everything one last time. @amitchandak please copy and paste this into a reply and I will mark your reply as a solution. Thanks

1. Generally any data that Power BI Service (app.powerbi.com) cannot obtain is referred to as on premise data and would require a gateway to be setup.

2. Power BI Service is a cloud service not Power BI Desktop.

3. On Premises data sources include SQL Server, SSAS, Sharepoint etc.

If installed on permise:

SQL Server - we have cloud Azure SQL

SSAA - cloud we have AAS

Sharepoint online should act as cloud 

4. Gateway connections are specific for Power BI Service. 

5. Yes, for on premise data

[amitchandak · Accepted solution]

@HamidBee , see if these can help

1. Generally any data that Power BI Service (app.powerbi.com) cannot obtain is referred to as on premise data and would require a gateway to be setup.

Power BI Service need on premise gateway ONLY on premise data, Cloud data do not need that

2. Power BI Service is a cloud service not Power BI Desktop.

Yes - Power BI Service is a cloud service

Power BI Desktop is desktop application/tool

3. On Premises data sources include SQL Server, SSAS, Sharepoint etc.

If installed on permise:

SQL Server - we have cloud Azure SQL

SSAA - cloud we have AAS

Sharepoint online should act as a cloud

4. Gateway connections are specific for Power BI Service.

Yes. Power App, Power Automate and other Power app may need that

5. Do I need to set up a Power BI Gateway inorder to setup a scheduled refresh?

5. Yes, for on-premise data. I have on a project where we have only cloud data sources. I am not using on premise gatway.

Are there 5 questions or this some MCQ.