Skip to main content
cancel
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Vote for your favorite vizzies from the Power BI Dataviz World Championship submissions. Vote now!

Reply

ODBC data sources

Hi Team,

 

We are working on creating Virtual machine (VM) for Power BI, gateway.
Source would be SQL server and Oracle.

SQL server and Oracle are in different servers.

 

2 questions:
a. ODBC data sources should we create in VM i.,e User DSN or System DSN.
b. How to use or where to use this DSN.

 

Please let me know.

 

Thanks,

2 ACCEPTED SOLUTIONS
AnalyticPulse
Solution Sage
Solution Sage

hi @YashikaAgrawal 
use system dns as powerbi uses system dns because it is windows service. 
you hve to create a dns in obdc connections  and test it to see if its configured successfully.(hope you know how to create it, if you search ODBC after pressing start button on your screen you will get result for 32 bit and 64 bit. use 64 bit). if you want to use direct native connectors  then you dnt need to create dns.

when you connect in powerbi go to- get data >ODBC > select the dns you have created.

Analytic Pulse Blog 
Docynx Productivity Tools 
Tool to Generate Realistic Sample Data Instantly online  

View solution in original post

lbendlin
Super User
Super User

a) System DSN, and only 64 bit

b) in your connection specify the server as "dsn=<dsn name>" . Refrain from using fancy characters and spaces and overly long names, as there is a 32 character limit.

View solution in original post

2 REPLIES 2
lbendlin
Super User
Super User

a) System DSN, and only 64 bit

b) in your connection specify the server as "dsn=<dsn name>" . Refrain from using fancy characters and spaces and overly long names, as there is a 32 character limit.

AnalyticPulse
Solution Sage
Solution Sage

hi @YashikaAgrawal 
use system dns as powerbi uses system dns because it is windows service. 
you hve to create a dns in obdc connections  and test it to see if its configured successfully.(hope you know how to create it, if you search ODBC after pressing start button on your screen you will get result for 32 bit and 64 bit. use 64 bit). if you want to use direct native connectors  then you dnt need to create dns.

when you connect in powerbi go to- get data >ODBC > select the dns you have created.

Analytic Pulse Blog 
Docynx Productivity Tools 
Tool to Generate Realistic Sample Data Instantly online  

Helpful resources

Announcements
Power BI DataViz World Championships

Power BI Dataviz World Championships

Vote for your favorite vizzies from the Power BI World Championship submissions!

Sticker Challenge 2026 Carousel

Join our Community Sticker Challenge 2026

If you love stickers, then you will definitely want to check out our Community Sticker Challenge!

January Power BI Update Carousel

Power BI Monthly Update - January 2026

Check out the January 2026 Power BI update to learn about new features.

FabCon Atlanta 2026 carousel

FabCon Atlanta 2026

Join us at FabCon Atlanta, March 16-20, for the ultimate Fabric, Power BI, AI and SQL community-led event. Save $200 with code FABCOMM.