SQL Server hosted on Azure VM - Do I need a Gateway?

[SiroPW]

Among other data sources - I have an SQL Server database hosted on an Azure VM.

I can connect with DirectQuery through PowerBI Desktop and make reports I'd like. However when publishing to PowerBI service it tells me I need to go through a Data Gateway.

Can I connect without a gateway? It is a cloud solution (all microsoft, no less). For my Redshift connection I don't have this issue.

If I absolutely have to have a gateway.. How do I set it up? Install on the VM machine rather than locally?

[blopez11]

You say "Among other data sources"

If you have a mash up of data sources (on premise, Azure), then you'll need a data gateway for the on premise data sources

If you have all Azure data sources, then you don't need a data gateay, and you'll likely just need to enter your data source credentials for your dataset in the service, before you can schedule any refreshes

[SiroPW]

Publishing a report with purely one table from a SQL Server DB hosted on Azure I get:

Also, trying to go directly to the service (it still publishes) and updating the data settings field is greyed out as it expects to connect via a Gateway.

Would love to know how to get around this!

Thanks.

[imenmaiza]

Hello @SiroPW,

Could you please explain to me how you did connect to SQL Server database hosted on an Azure VM through PowerBI Desktop in the first step? which connector?

[v-yuezhe-msft · Accepted solution]

@SiroPW,

You are connecting to a SQL Server that hosted in Azure VM but not Azure SQL database in Power BI Desktop. For the former, gateway is required, you can install gateway on the same machine with Power BI Desktop, then add SQL Server data source within the gateway. Otherwise, you are not able to view the published report in Power BI Service.

For Azure SQL database, gateway is not required.

Regards,
Lydia