How to connect to an Amazon RDS MySQL database via VPN from a Fabric notebook?

[Gmarqs]

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to connect to a MySQL database hosted on Amazon RDS from a notebook in Microsoft Fabric. However, the database is only accessible through a VPN. I've tried several approaches, but the connection doesn't seem to work.

Does Fabric support VPN-based connections in notebooks? If so, how can I configure the environment to route traffic through the VPN?

Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

[v-veshwara-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi @Gmarqs ,

Thanks for your question. Connecting to an Amazon RDS MySQL database via VPN from a Microsoft Fabric notebook does present some limitations due to current support constraints, but there are several viable workarounds depending on your environment and needs.

Option 1: Ingest via Data Pipeline or Dataflow Gen2
Since on-premises data gateways are not currently supported within notebooks, a recommended approach is to first ingest your data into a Fabric Lakehouse using a Data pipeline or Dataflow Gen2. Once the data resides in the Lakehouse, you can query it seamlessly using notebooks.

A related discussion here  includes a suggestion to utilize views for better data management when adopting this pipeline.

Option 2: Use an ODBC Connector
You can also consider connecting to your RDS database using an ODBC connector from an environment that has VPN access and then transferring the data into Fabric.
Solved: Connect to AWS RDS via VPN - Microsoft Fabric Community

Option 3: VNet Gateway & Notebook Access
If your setup includes secure or private network access (like through a VPN or VNet), it’s possible to connect from a notebook using a custom script. A Microsoft consultant shared an example showing how to do this by setting up a connection through a VNet gateway.
Solved: Re: Using a VNet gateway with Notebooks - Microsoft Fabric Community

Option 4: Managed Private Endpoints.
You might consider using Managed Private Endpoints. This feature lets Fabric securely connect to services like AWS RDS without using a VPN, by setting up a private network path.
About private Links for secure access to Fabric - Microsoft Fabric | Microsoft Learn

Hope this helps. Please reach out for further assistance.
If this post helps, then please consider "Accept it as the solution" to help the other members find it more quickly and a kudos would be appreciated.

[v-veshwara-msft]

Hi @Gmarqs ,

We’re following up once more regarding your query. If it has been resolved, please mark the helpful reply as the Accepted Solution to assist others facing similar challenges.

If you still need assistance, please let us know.
Thank you.

[Gmarqs · Accepted solution]

Hello finaly we do export file out of fabric and ingest file 

[v-veshwara-msft]

Hi @Gmarqs ,
Thanks for the update - glad to hear you found a workable approach by exporting the file from Fabric and ingesting it separately. It’s a smart workaround, especially while native support for VPN or gateway access in notebooks is still evolving.

If you decide to revisit the integration down the line, feel free to reach out.

Also, if you found any response helpful, please consider marking it or your reply as Accepted Solution so others in the community can benefit from your experience. 

Thank you.

[v-veshwara-msft]

Hi @Gmarqs ,
Hope you are doing well.
Just checking in to see if you query is reolved and if any responses were helpful. If so, kindly consider marking the helpful reply as 'Accepted Solution' to help others with similar queries. 

Otherwise, feel free to reach out for further assistance.

Thank you.

[v-veshwara-msft]

Hi @Gmarqs ,

We haven’t heard from you since our last response and wanted to check if the provided solutions met your needs. If they did, please consider accepting the solution to help others benefit. Otherwise, feel free to reach out for further assistance.

Thank you.

[v-veshwara-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi @Gmarqs ,

Thanks for your question. Connecting to an Amazon RDS MySQL database via VPN from a Microsoft Fabric notebook does present some limitations due to current support constraints, but there are several viable workarounds depending on your environment and needs.

Option 1: Ingest via Data Pipeline or Dataflow Gen2
Since on-premises data gateways are not currently supported within notebooks, a recommended approach is to first ingest your data into a Fabric Lakehouse using a Data pipeline or Dataflow Gen2. Once the data resides in the Lakehouse, you can query it seamlessly using notebooks.

A related discussion here  includes a suggestion to utilize views for better data management when adopting this pipeline.

Option 2: Use an ODBC Connector
You can also consider connecting to your RDS database using an ODBC connector from an environment that has VPN access and then transferring the data into Fabric.
Solved: Connect to AWS RDS via VPN - Microsoft Fabric Community

Option 3: VNet Gateway & Notebook Access
If your setup includes secure or private network access (like through a VPN or VNet), it’s possible to connect from a notebook using a custom script. A Microsoft consultant shared an example showing how to do this by setting up a connection through a VNet gateway.
Solved: Re: Using a VNet gateway with Notebooks - Microsoft Fabric Community

Option 4: Managed Private Endpoints.
You might consider using Managed Private Endpoints. This feature lets Fabric securely connect to services like AWS RDS without using a VPN, by setting up a private network path.
About private Links for secure access to Fabric - Microsoft Fabric | Microsoft Learn

Hope this helps. Please reach out for further assistance.
If this post helps, then please consider "Accept it as the solution" to help the other members find it more quickly and a kudos would be appreciated.