Power BI Gateway – everything you need to know

Effectively utilizing data in a company often requires not only powerful tools for visualization, such as Power BI, but also reliable methods to connect on-premises data sources with the cloud. The solution to this challenge is Power BI Gateway, which enables secure and efficient data transfer between on-premises servers and Microsoft services.

What is Power BI Gateway?

Power BI Gateway is a tool that connects on-premises data sources with Microsoft cloud services like Power BI, Power Automate, PowerApps, and Azure. Acting as a mediator, it allows secure data transfer without requiring manual exporting or importing.

Key features of Power BI Gateway:

• Ensures secure data transfer from on-premises sources to the cloud.
• Supports various data types, such as SQL Server, Excel files, SharePoint, or ERP systems.
• Enables the creation of dynamic reports and dashboards in real time.

With Power BI Gateway, users can access on-premises data, perform analyses, and generate reports while meeting compliance and data security requirements.

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Types of Power BI Gateway

Microsoft offers two main types of gateways, tailored to the specific needs of organizations:

• standard data gateway (Standard Mode)
• personal data gateway (Personal Mode)

Let’s take a closer look at them.

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Standard data gateway (Standard Mode)

• Allows connections to multiple data sources for various users.
• Supports complex scenarios where many users need access to shared data.
• Integrates with Microsoft services such as Power BI, Power Automate, Azure Analysis Services, and more.
• Recommended for medium and large organizations requiring advanced analytical functions.

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Personal data gateway (Personal Mode)

• Designed for a single user who needs access to on-premises data for personal use only.
• Does not allow data sharing with other users.
• Ideal for small projects and individual analyses in Power BI.

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How does Power BI Gateway work?

Power BI Gateway acts as a bridge between on-premises data sources and the cloud.

The data transfer process involves the following steps:

1. Data request – a cloud service (e.g., Power BI) sends a request to access on-premises data.
2. Request forwarding – the gateway forwards the request to Azure Service Bus, where it is securely stored.
3. Query processing – the on-premises data gateway decrypts the information, processes the query, and connects to the local data source (e.g., SQL Server).
4. Returning results – query results are sent back through the gateway to the cloud service.

This process is fast, secure, and enables seamless integration of on-premises data with the cloud without requiring full database migration.

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Power BI Gateway configuration – step by step

Configuring Power BI Gateway is not a complicated process, but it involves a few essential steps:

1. Download and installation

• Download the Power BI Gateway software from the Microsoft website.
• Install the gateway on a server that has access to on-premises data sources.

2. Registering the gateway

• After installation, log in using your Microsoft Power BI account.
• Register the gateway in the cloud and assign it to the appropriate environment.

3. Configuring data connections

• Add the data sources you want to connect, such as SQL Server, Excel files, or SharePoint.
• Specify whether the data will be transferred in real-time (DirectQuery) or through cached queries (Import).

4. Testing the connection

• Ensure that the gateway correctly connects to the on-premises data sources and is accessible in the Power BI service.

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Why use Power BI Gateway?

Power BI Gateway is an essential tool for organizations that rely on on-premises data but want to integrate it with modern cloud-based services.

Key benefits:

• Data security – data is protected against unauthorized access through encrypted connections and access restrictions.
• Ease of integration – the gateway works with many popular data sources, simplifying the analysis process.
• Regulatory compliance support – Power BI Gateway facilitates meeting legal requirements for data storage within the organization.
• Flexibility and scalability – suitable for both small projects and large enterprises.

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Use cases for Power BI Gateway

Power BI Gateway is used across various industries, including:

• finance – monitoring financial performance in real time.
• manufacturing – analyzing production line efficiency using on-premises data.
• commerce – forecasting sales based on historical data from ERP systems.

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Need help implementing Power BI?

Power BI is a critical tool for companies looking to unlock the full potential of their data. If you need assistance configuring the gateway, reach out to the experts at EBIS.

Our team will help you set up Power BI Gateway, integrate on-premises data sources, and optimize your analytical processes. | CONTACT