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Gateway in Power BI: What It Is and How It Works
If you use Power BI to visualize and analyze data from various sources, you might have heard of a tool called Gateway. Gateway is a crucial component of Power BI that allows you to connect to on-premises data sources securely. In this article, we will explain what Gateway is, how it works, and why you might need it.
What is Gateway in Power BI?
Gateway is a software application that acts as a bridge between your on-premises data sources and Power BI. It enables Power BI to access data from sources that are not available on the cloud. With Gateway, you can securely connect to various types of data sources, including databases, files, and other applications that reside behind a firewall or a virtual private network (VPN).
There are two types of Gateway in Power BI: On-premises data gateway and Power BI Gateway for Azure Analysis Services. The On-premises data gateway is used to connect to various on-premises data sources, while the Power BI Gateway for Azure Analysis Services is used to connect to Azure Analysis Services.
How Does Gateway in Power BI Work?
Gateway in Power BI works by creating a secure connection between your on-premises data sources and Power BI. It does this by installing a gateway software application on a computer in your organization's network. This computer is called the gateway server. Once the gateway is installed, you can configure it to connect to various on-premises data sources.
When you create a Power BI report that uses data from an on-premises data source, the report queries the data through the gateway server. The gateway server then retrieves the data from the on-premises data source and sends it to Power BI. The data is encrypted during the transmission to ensure that it is secure.
Why Do You Need Gateway in Power BI?
Gateway in Power BI is essential if you have on-premises data sources that you want to connect to Power BI. Without a gateway, you would not be able to access the data from these sources. Gateway also ensures that the connection between Power BI and your on-premises data sources is secure. It encrypts data during transmission and requires authentication before granting access.
Another reason why you might need Gateway in Power BI is if you have data that cannot be moved to the cloud. Some organizations may have data that is too sensitive or too large to be moved to the cloud. In this case, Gateway provides a secure way to access the data from Power BI.
Conclusion
In summary, Gateway in Power BI is a crucial component that enables you to securely connect to on-premises data sources. It works by creating a secure connection between Power BI and your on-premises data sources through a gateway server. With Gateway, you can access various types of data sources securely, including databases, files, and applications that reside behind a firewall or VPN.
If you have on-premises data sources that you want to connect to Power BI, Gateway is a must-have tool. It ensures that the connection between Power BI and your data sources is secure and encrypted. With Gateway, you can take advantage of Power BI's powerful visualization and analysis capabilities while keeping your data on-premises.
FAQs
Is Gateway in Power BI a free tool? Yes, Gateway in Power BI is a free tool.
Can I use Gateway to connect to cloud-based data sources? No, Gateway is designed to connect to on-premises data sources only.
How many gateways do I need for my organization? It depends on the number of on-premises data sources you have and the level of redundancy you need. You can install multiple gateways to ensure high availability.