Report server SQL Requirement

[Karim_Hossam]

Hello,

As I understand that if I want to use the power BI report server , i should have one of these solutions:

Purchase Power BI Premium  or Have a SQL Server Enterprise Edition Software Assurance agreement.

If I will go with Power BI Premium,

1-I will need also a SQL server to host  database right ?

2- as i am not a SQL professional ,what could be the lowest cost of a SQL server  version with a analysis services (aside the 5k of node1 in Power BI Premium)?

3-is there additional cost required for Analysis services or it is included in SQL server?

4- do I need pro licenses (taking into consideration that I will use only the Report server)

Thanks in adavnce

[v-yulgu-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi @Karim_Hossam,

1 I will need also a SQL server to host  database right ?

   Yes. 

2 as i am not a SQL professional, what could be the lowest cost of a SQL server  version with a analysis services (aside the 5k of node1 in Power BI Premium)?

   You can install SQL Server evaluation edition for free.

3 is there additional cost required for Analysis services or it is included in SQL server?

   No. The Analysis Services is included after you pay for SQL Servre license.

4 do I need pro licenses (taking into consideration that I will use only the Report server)

  A Power BI Pro license is required for individuals who are creating reports as they need the permission to publish reports to PBI Report Servre. But not any of the end consumers.

Best regards,

Yuliana Gu

[muchinski]

Hello @v-yulgu-msft,

can you please clarify my concerns regarding your answers, please?

2. You can install SQL Server evaluation edition for free.

- Evaluation edition is limited to 180 days, right? Does it works with Express edition? What about the schedules that requires SQL Server Agent running? I presume that we need to have at least SQL Server Standard, right?

3. No. The Analysis Services is included after you pay for SQL Servre license.

- What about if I use only the Power BI models? In this scenario, only the power BI license is ok?

Plus: If I have SQL 2017 EE with SA licensed on Server A, can I install the Power BI Report Server on Server B (using the Server A as the database / SSAS server) without any licensing concern?

Best,

Evandro.