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DannyX
Frequent Visitor

Connect to remote server via VPN

Hi all,

Ii struggle with the following topic:

How can i connect PowerBI Desktop to a remote server via VPN ?

I build up some reports and dashboards for my client in PowerBI Desktop and published them to PowerBI Service. The reports are based on several csv-files which i got from my client. Everything is working well.

 

Now i want to automate the data loading (direct connect to the data sources) and am challenged with the following szenario:

 

All the datasources are stored on a remote server, distributed on individual virtual servers (VmWare)

There are the following data sources

  • Access Database
  • Filemaker Database
  • CSV- and Excel Files

I usually work in my homeoffice and have access to the server from my client via Windows Remote Desktop (VPN-Client = KEO). PowerBI Desktop is installed local on my own computer.

At the moment i have no idea how i can connect to the data sources on the remote server. I googled a lot but couldn't find any helpful information.

Has anybody experience with this or any ressources where i can get into this topic ?

 

Many thanks in advance

Best regards

Danny

1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION
v-juanli-msft
Community Support
Community Support

Hi @DannyX 

First make sure your local server communicates with remote server properly.

 

1.

For CSV- and Excel Files on a remote server, like a VM

In Power BI, Get Data-Excel/Csv, Enter path like

\\VM897909\test\yh.xlsx            \\(VM name)\(folder path)\(file name)

 

Then select correct authentication.:

It may pop out with "Window authetication",

you could check which authentication type works for your scenario:

"current windows authetication" or "alternative windows authetication"(use credential for VM)

 

2.

When connect to a database in a remote server,

Choose Database authentication option, then enter your username and password to connect to the database.

or use alternate Windows credentials to connect.

There is a similar thread you could refer to:

https://community.powerbi.com/t5/Desktop/Connecting-to-remote-sql-server/td-p/118831

 

 

Best Regards
Maggie

 

Community Support Team _ Maggie Li
If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

 

View solution in original post

3 REPLIES 3
v-juanli-msft
Community Support
Community Support

Hi @DannyX 

First make sure your local server communicates with remote server properly.

 

1.

For CSV- and Excel Files on a remote server, like a VM

In Power BI, Get Data-Excel/Csv, Enter path like

\\VM897909\test\yh.xlsx            \\(VM name)\(folder path)\(file name)

 

Then select correct authentication.:

It may pop out with "Window authetication",

you could check which authentication type works for your scenario:

"current windows authetication" or "alternative windows authetication"(use credential for VM)

 

2.

When connect to a database in a remote server,

Choose Database authentication option, then enter your username and password to connect to the database.

or use alternate Windows credentials to connect.

There is a similar thread you could refer to:

https://community.powerbi.com/t5/Desktop/Connecting-to-remote-sql-server/td-p/118831

 

 

Best Regards
Maggie

 

Community Support Team _ Maggie Li
If this post helps, then please consider Accept it as the solution to help the other members find it more quickly.

 

Hi Maggie,

 

thank you very much for your support !! It starts working Smiley Happy I could connet to the remote sever and get the CSV-Files. For connecting with the databases i still struggle a little bit with authentication errors but I'm on the right way. 

 

Best regards

Danny

Hi

which one is support 1 or 2  
i am strugguling with this only

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