Prerequisites for ODBC Connections on Power BI Report Server

[dskrobowski]

Hello, I'm seeking some clarification about what is required for establishing a connection with an ODBC data source in Report Server.

1. If I'm creating a system-level SQL data source (Microsoft SQL server driver) using Microsoft ODBC Data Source Administrator
2. And then I create a PBIX and connect to my source with the ODBC connector
3. And then I upload the PBIX to Report Server

Shouldn't I be able to establish/confirm my data source (via Manage -> Data sources) and refresh my report (via scheduled refresh) from Report Server, without needing to install and manage a gateway?

Assume that report server is installed in the same environment on which I've defined my ODBC data source (via ODBC Data Source Administrator).

Many thanks,

[Shahfaisal · Accepted solution]

Yes. You don't need gateway for Power BI Report Server.

[dskrobowski]

Thanks for your quick reply!

I'm trying to figure out why I'm getting the error: ODBC: ERROR [IM002] [Microsoft][ODBC Driver Manager] Data source name not found and no default driver specified.

Do you have any ideas? I created the ODBC data source as a system data source using the 64 bit ODBC Administrator. Do you know if Report Server is 32 bit or 64 bit and if that changed since 2020?

Many thanks,

[Shahfaisal]

I would give the 32-bit driver a try.

Also take a look at this https://stackoverflow.com/questions/17115632/microsoftodbc-driver-manager-data-source-name-not-found...

[dskrobowski]

Thanks again!