Recommended Server Version

[Anonymous]

I plan to build a powerbi report server.
So, what is the recommended version of the Windows Server and SQL Server that make up the PowerBI report server?

I have two questions.

While we have checked the documents for required version for each server, what is the practical recommendation of the versions that you have ACTUALLY built and works well with Power BI? If you have encoutnered any undocumented troubles and/or any advantages, your comments are very appreciated.

Second, in order to take full advantage of the latest features of PowerBI, do we have to use the latest versions for both Windows Server and SQL Server?

[sevenhills]

PBIRS:

I have implemented solutions on various versions of SQL Server and Windows server in past few years.

Updates are being released every quarter, so we are good with it. Time flies easily and you will see a new version. Latest version or past version is good to start with. Any way, within a quarter or so, you will install another version 🙂 

Issues faced on PBIRS VM so far (at high level)

- SSL on non-custom port - Report builder won't work as of now

- Certificate installation issues - some how it works only after few restarts on VMs

- Restart server every week, as sometimes Power BI hosted files takes up memory and not releasing the memory. (we kind of kept a habbit now)

- we installed power bi regular desktop instead of Power bi server desktop and had issues and spent few hours to revert it back. So careful. 

[Anonymous]

Thank you. It helps me a lot.

[Greg_Deckler · Accepted solution]

@Anonymous - I have never seen any issues with various versions. I would use the latest versions available that are pre the release of the version of Power BI RS that you are implementing.

[Anonymous]

Thank you. I appreciate the quick response.