DataFlows - Gateway Question

[IamTDR]

I am starting to final creating a Dataflow to connect to several reports instead of the various reports doing all the same transformations over and over again.

I was able to create my Dataflow in Power BI Service and use the DataFlow in my reports.

My concern is when I look at the reports now using the DataFlow in Power BI Service.  In reviewing the Report's Setting, I see that the Gateway is set to 'Cloud Connections - Personal Cloud Connection'.  Wasn't sure what this meant to be honest.  My concern is that for these various reports to refresh, they would need my personal computer to always be on.

So my question, is this correct in that my reports would not refresh unless this personal computer is online at the refresh time?  Is this the proper way to use DataFlows?  My IT Department set up the Gateways so I'm a bit behind on understanding them.  Perhaps I will need to bug my IT Department to set up a Dataflow Gateway to refresh??
Thanks

[collinq · Accepted solution]

That said,  I think that the default these days is for the cloud connection to automatically map to the data source.  When I have seen this I just turn it off - I makes sure the "map to" in the cloud connection is set to "none" or "blank" so that it doesn't use that one for sure.

I do this because you are right that there are limitations on how those connections work.

[lbendlin · Accepted solution]

You can ignore these "Personal Cloud Connection" items. They serve no purpose at the moment. 

Dataflows do not require a gateway when they are being consumed.   They may require a gateway when being refreshed.  That gateway should be an On-Premise (Standard/Enterprise) gateway. A VM in your on-prem network, not your personal PC.

[collinq · Accepted solution]

That said,  I think that the default these days is for the cloud connection to automatically map to the data source.  When I have seen this I just turn it off - I makes sure the "map to" in the cloud connection is set to "none" or "blank" so that it doesn't use that one for sure.

I do this because you are right that there are limitations on how those connections work.