Install PowerBi Server

[DataVitalizer]

Hi Community,

I am new to powerbi server, I am trying to use powerbi server in order to let my users view on-premises published reports using their free licenses but I have been told that I cannot do it without extra licenses.

Could you please tell me what are those required licenses I have to buy in order to use powerbi server for 40 people.

THank you in advance.

[d_gosbell]

The licensing requires for PBI Report Server are covered off here https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/report-server/install-report-server#power-bi-report-server...

But if you only have 40 users then using the on-prem report server is significantly more expensive than just buying 40 pro licenses which would be around US$400 per month (US$10 per user per month). 

The two ways of purchasing on-prem Report Server license are purchasing Power BI Premium capacity (which starts at around US$5,000 per month) or SQL Server Enterprise with Software Assurance (I'm not sure of the price on this as it can vary depending on bulk licensing deals with Microsoft, but it would be in a similar ball park to the premium licensing) 

[DataVitalizer]

Hi @d_gosbell

I do apperciate your reply.

I agree with you on the point that going for Premium license it's expensive compared to buying Pro license for each user, but when the need is to keep the reports published locally I think the only way is to go for Power BI Server.

1- Power BI Server can run with SQL and SA licenses, but with this option there will be no dashboard or QA functions, is that right ?

2- Is RLS available with Power BI Server ?

Thank you in advance.

[d_gosbell]

Yes, if the requirement is to keep all data on-prem at all times then Report Server is your only option. It was just that when you were talking about "free licenses" I thought you may have been thinking that an on-prem solution might be cheaper than using pro licenses.

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1- Power BI Server can run with SQL and SA licenses, but with this option there will be no dashboard or QA functions, is that right ?

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There are no Dashboards in Report Server. And if by QA you mean the Q&A functionality, then that also is not available in Report Server. See here for a list of the differences between the cloud and on-prem offerings https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/report-server/compare-report-server-service

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2- Is RLS available with Power BI Server ?

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Yes, RLS is available.

[DataVitalizer]

Hi @d_gosbell 

As I understood, we have two options to install Power BI Server: 

Option 1: SQL EE + SA (as mentionned here https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/report-server/compare-report-server-service)

Option 2 : SQL + Power BI Premium.

1- For the 2nd option the SQl edition is not mentionned (https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/report-server/system-requirements) 

2- Is there any difference between the two options ?

Thnak you in advance.

[d_gosbell]

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1- For the 2nd option the SQl edition is not mentionned (https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/report-server/system-requirements) 

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I think it works fine with Web, Standard or Enterprise as it needs SQL Agent in order to do scheduled refresh and schedule report delivery.

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2- Is there any difference between the two options ?

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No, these are just licensing options, there is no difference in functionality.

[DataVitalizer]

@d_gosbell 

Right before closing this thread 🙂

Do the Power BI Pro users require an exchange or any other Office365 license ?

Thank you in advance.

[d_gosbell · Accepted solution]

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@DataVitalizer wrote:

Do the Power BI Pro users require an exchange or any other Office365 license ?

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No they don't need those other licenses to access power BI Reports.

But if you do have O365 licenses it's worth checking the level of those as some of the higher levels come bundled with a Power BI Pro license.