Connecting to MySql database - Do I need a gateway?

[JHob]

Hi

I am connecting to a MySQL database from Power BI

It appears that I need a gateway to enable automatic refresh?

If so, do I need a dedicated PC to run this gateway? Is there no other way of automating the refresh process ?

Kind regards

[v-diye-msft]

Hi @JHob 

If you've fixed the issue on your own please kindly share your solution. if the above posts help, please kindly mark it as a solution to help others find it more quickly.thanks!

[v-diye-msft]

Hi @JHob 

Gateway is needed when your data source is on-premises, please refer to the detailed documents for refreshing data from SQL server:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/service-gateway-sql-tutorial 

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/service-gateway-enterprise-manage-sql 

[JHob]

Many thanks for your tutorial

Apologies, I am still trying to get my mind around gateways so my questions may seem a little obvious.

The MySQL database is not on our premises. A connection to it has been made available to us by a supplier and we have been give the IP address, database name and login.  Is this then still classified as an on premises database ?  Is this effectively then not in the cloud?  Do we still need the gateway?

Kind regards

[v-diye-msft · Accepted solution]

Hi @JHob 

If you are connecting to a SQL Server that hosted in Azure VM but not Azure SQL database. For the former, gateway is required, you should install gateway on the same machine, then add SQL Server data source within the gateway. 

For Azure SQL database, gateway is not required.

[PavaraTM]

Hi @v-diye-msft ,

@JHob asked for a MySQL instance