PBI Desktop SAP BW application server connection error

[MW28]

Hi Community:)

I would like to connect from PBI desktop (newest, 64-bit version) to SAP BW. Ofc in order to do that we installed SAP .net connector. At first we installed wrong one - 3.0 (discontinued since 10.2023, although official documentation still points to that version)- here the result was when opening the SAP BW connector from Power bi- error stating that:

"Cannot find assembly "sapnco, Version=3.1.042, Culture=neutral, publicKeyToken=" in GAC and "DataSource.MissingClientLibrary" errors when opening SAP Business Warehouse through Power BI"

Then we installed 3.1 .net connector from SAP (SAP Connector for Microsoft .NET 3.1.3.0 for Windows 64bit (x64), July 19, 2023 (ZIP archive, 35,121 KB)) and the error dissapeared. 

However when selecting trying to connect (after entering server, system number and client ID) there is another error:

"Details: "This error could've been the result of provider-specific client software being required, but missing on this computer. To download client software for this provider, visit the following site and choose the 64-bit (x64) version of, at minimum, 'SAP .NET Connector 3.0.0.42 / SAP .NET Connector 3.1.0.42': "

Intallation for both connectors was with GAC option selected.

1. the semantic of the error "error could've been" states that it isn't clear that problem is with the missing software"

2. Can it be the problem that both 3.0 and 3.1 is installed?

3. Can it be that the connection details e.g. server number are wrong? When I enter 3 digits number in System ID then the error message is about 2 digits required.

4. Can it be the firewall/ vpn issue?

I would appreciate any guidance

THanks for help!

 

[MW28]

Hi, we have reported this to MS support and eventually came up following:

>>scenario 1- Power BI from web

3.1 .nco should be used

>>scenario 2-Power BI from windows store

3.0 connector supposed to be used however there is a bug and it's not working- perhaps with March 2024 desktop version it will be fixed

>>scenario 3- enterprise Power BI gateway/Azure IR installed on the azure VM- which connector version to be installed

[For gateway as per the document 3.1 should be installed and used]  - We haven't checked though that is in fact working

[v-yiruan-msft]

Hi @MW28 ,

You can refer the following official documentations to connect SAP BW to in Power BI Desktop:

Use the SAP Business Warehouse (BW) Connector in Power BI Desktop - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

Power Query SAP Business Warehouse Application Server connector - Power Query | Microsoft Learn

And for the error you are facing, you can try the below steps:

• Uninstall both versions and then reinstalling only version 3.1 to see if that resolves the issue.
• Please double-check the connection details to ensure that they are correct. You mentioned that when you enter a 3 digit number in the System ID field, the error message states that only 2 digits are required.
• Please check with your network administrator to ensure that the firewall and VPN are configured correctly to allow the connection.

Best Regards

[MW28]

Hi,

Thanks for reply!

• Uninstall both versions and then reinstalling only version 3.1 to see if that resolves the issue. - here I made a mistake, actually the 3.0 version has been uninstalled 
• Please double-check the connection details to ensure that they are correct. You mentioned that when you enter a 3 digit number in the System ID field, the error message states that only 2 digits are required.  - yes, but when the all the required fields are in correct format then there is only error regarding missing software.
• Please check with your network administrator to ensure that the firewall and VPN are configured correctly to allow the connection.  - this sounds like a good hintHow about sap .net connector being installed in SAP folder not in Power BI one? Could that be an issue that Power BI then can't find it (although is finds now the required GAC component) ?

[MW28]

Also additional remark- the connector is installed in Program files SAP folder, not where PBI desktop

[MW28]

Here it is also the info regarding requirement of connector 3.1 NCo 3.1Updated SAP Connector for .Net support in on-premises data gateway | Power Automate Blog (microsoft....

[Syndicate_Admin]

Hello, were you able to solve it? I have the same error with the latest version of the gateway and SAP nco.