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ptmk's avatar
ptmk
Frequent Visitor
1 year ago
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Connection to on-prem SQL using Azure Key vault refence

Hello, we have an on-prem data gateway that we can set up connections to our sql server on-prem.  I would like to know if the Azure Key Vault references can be leveraged to set up connections to the...
  • rohit1991's avatar
    1 year ago

    Hi ptmk ,

    Azure Key Vault integration in Power BI—specifically for managing credentials like SQL Server usernames and passwords—is not supported directly for on-premises data sources via the on-prem data gateway. As you've rightly pointed out, Azure Key Vault references are primarily used for Analysis Services and semantic models, particularly in scenarios involving Bring Your Own Key (BYOK) for data encryption at rest. While there are evolving capabilities around enhanced data protection and custom connectors (as mentioned by Guy in a Cube), native support for using Azure Key Vault secrets in gateway-managed data source connections is not available at this time.

     

    As a workaround, any credential used for on-prem SQL connections through the gateway needs to be manually entered and securely stored within the gateway configuration. If you're aiming to improve credential management or rotate secrets securely, you might consider using PowerShell scripts or APIs to update gateway credentials programmatically in sync with your Key Vault, although this requires custom implementation.

     

  • Anonymous's avatar
    Anonymous
    1 year ago

    Hi ptmk ,

    Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft fabric community forum. Also thank you rohit1991  for your inputs.

     

    Currently, Power BI does not support native integration with Azure Key Vault for managing credentials of on-premises data sources via the On-premises Data Gateway. This means that credentials such as SQL Server usernames and passwords must be manually entered and securely stored within the gateway configuration.

    Azure Key Vault integration in Power BI is primarily utilized for:

    • Bring Your Own Key (BYOK) scenarios, allowing organizations to manage encryption keys for data at rest in Power BI Premium capacities.
    • Semantic models, where Azure Key Vault references can be used to manage encryption keys.

    For more information on BYOK, please refer to the official documentation: Bring your own encryption keys for Power BI

    While direct integration is not available, organizations seeking to enhance credential management may consider implementing custom solutions. This can involve using Power BI REST APIs or PowerShell scripts to programmatically update gateway credentials in synchronization with Azure Key Vault. However, such approaches require careful planning and custom development.

     

    Hope this helps. Please reach out for further assistance.

    If this post helps, then please consider to Accept as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly and a kudos would be appreciated.

     

    Thank you.