Forum Discussion
How to perform upgrades on the Cloud based Node?
Hi Community,
I am building a business case for Power BI and I would like to know how upgrades on the cloud node are performed to different versions of Power BI?
Our business will always stay one version behind the latest and need to know if the upgrades are performed by Microsoft, the partner or by our own admins?
Is the upgrade performed in the admin panel? or is it a more involved process of downloading the latest version and then pushing the upgrade to the node?
Thanks in advance,
John
Hi Anonymous
Updates to the Power BI service (Cloud based service) are done by Microsoft, usually around the 15th of each month. There is no concept of "staying one version behind" the update is applied and you have it. However there are many features that are controlled via Administrator switches and options, so a local Power BI Administrator can withhold some of these updates where Microsoft has provided the facility to do so. Power BI Desktop software is similarly updated once a month, but it is down to the local IT Admin whether they update their PC's/Laptops. However it is advised not to get too far out of step between the Desktop software and the Service.
the update roadmap provides more detail of what is coming and what can be enabled/disables by local Admins.
An alternative is Power BI Report Server, this is an on-premise server that runs the equivalent of Power BI service for those who don't want to use the Cloud based Service. This is managed in the traditional Server way, with your IT Admins responsible for installing, running and updating it. Power BI Report server updates three times a year and it is optional to upgrade, so you could "stay one version behind" in this manner.
see: Comparing Power BI Report Server and the Power BI service - Power BI | Microsoft Docs
There are cost differences too. Power BI Service is effectively rental software, with a monthly costs depending on number of users and features etc. Whereas Power BI Report Server is purchased outright upfront, and you have to provide and support the Hardware and infrastructure to implement it.
Hope this helps
Stuart
1 Reply
- Burningsuit
Resident Rockstar
Hi Anonymous
Updates to the Power BI service (Cloud based service) are done by Microsoft, usually around the 15th of each month. There is no concept of "staying one version behind" the update is applied and you have it. However there are many features that are controlled via Administrator switches and options, so a local Power BI Administrator can withhold some of these updates where Microsoft has provided the facility to do so. Power BI Desktop software is similarly updated once a month, but it is down to the local IT Admin whether they update their PC's/Laptops. However it is advised not to get too far out of step between the Desktop software and the Service.
the update roadmap provides more detail of what is coming and what can be enabled/disables by local Admins.
An alternative is Power BI Report Server, this is an on-premise server that runs the equivalent of Power BI service for those who don't want to use the Cloud based Service. This is managed in the traditional Server way, with your IT Admins responsible for installing, running and updating it. Power BI Report server updates three times a year and it is optional to upgrade, so you could "stay one version behind" in this manner.
see: Comparing Power BI Report Server and the Power BI service - Power BI | Microsoft Docs
There are cost differences too. Power BI Service is effectively rental software, with a monthly costs depending on number of users and features etc. Whereas Power BI Report Server is purchased outright upfront, and you have to provide and support the Hardware and infrastructure to implement it.
Hope this helps
Stuart