How to Create a Data Source in Power BI Embedded for a Service Principal Profile

[gabriel-mendes]

Hi all

I am in the setup process for the App-Owns-Data Architecture with Service Principal Profiles. 

I have created a Service Principal --> Profile --> Workspace --> Assigned a Capacity for the Workspace

Now I want to use this API to set up a data source for this workspace / service principal profile with this API:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/rest/api/power-bi/gateways/create-datasource

Unfortunately, I don't know what a gateway is that I need to add.
I want to connect to a self hosted postgres DB. The postgres DB is externally reachable. Do I need a gateway?

Would appreciate any help. 

Many thanks

[collinq · Accepted solution]

HI @gabriel-mendes ,

If your data truly is cloud, then you should not need a gateway.  But, if you are worried about permissions being set for users to create reports then you can create a Data Source with a Service Account or other userid that won't change and then grant your report writers access to use that Data Source.

In looking at the API's I do not see the ability to just create a Data Source that is not using a Gateway.  So, you may have to have the Data Source created manually.

[SaiTejaTalasila · Accepted solution]

Hi @gabriel-mendes ,

You need a data gateway connection.You can use on-premises data gateway app on your machine or you can contact your tenant admin  they will be able to configure a on-premises data gateway connection incase if they any gateway clusters.

You can refer this for more details -

https://powerbidocs.com/2021/02/22/personal-vs-on-premises-data-gateway-standard/

[collinq · Accepted solution]

HI @gabriel-mendes ,

If your data truly is cloud, then you should not need a gateway.  But, if you are worried about permissions being set for users to create reports then you can create a Data Source with a Service Account or other userid that won't change and then grant your report writers access to use that Data Source.

In looking at the API's I do not see the ability to just create a Data Source that is not using a Gateway.  So, you may have to have the Data Source created manually.