Power BI On-Premises Server Installation And Configuration

Introduction

On October 31, 2017 Microsoft released the latest version of Power BI report server. In this version on-premises reports can connect to different data sources (SQL Server, Oracle, SAP HANA  ...Etc.). Users can also use direct Query option or import data option and create schedule to refresh the imported data. This article will give step by step process to install and configure Power BI on premises server.

Step 1

Click the Link to download Power BI Report server October release.

PBIDesktopRS_x64.msi              - Used to develop reports

PowerBIReportServer.exe          - Power BI on premises report server run as a separate service


Step 2

Double click on the PowerBIReportServer.exe, then click “Install Power BI Server”

Step 3

Select the edition to install, I prefer developer edition since I am a developer, click next.



Step 4

Agree to license terms then click next.



Step 5

To configure Power BI Report server you need SQL Server Instance to store report metadata details. Click “Install Power BI Setup only” then click next.



Step 6

Browse the folder where you want to install power BI report server, then click Install. It takes 3 to 4 minutes for installation.

Step 7

Click configure report server button to configure the installed power BI report server.



Step 8

Once Power BI Server Installed it will automatically create Report server Instance “PBIRS”. Click Connect to connect “PBIRS” instance.



Step 9

By default it will create local host machine name as Web service URL, Click apply to configure default URL. If you want you can change the virtual directory name.



Step 10

Create new server database or you can use existing SSRS report database.

I like to maintain different database for SSRS and Power BI so I am creating different database for Power BI



Step 11

Select SQL Server Instance where you want to create Power BI report server database, Select Authentication type and enter account details which should have necessary permission to create database in SQL Server instance.



Give Database name

Basically SQL Server creates two databases --  one is report server database and another one is report server temp database



Configure the Account which should be used to connect SQL Server Database.

It is recommended to use service account which should have full permission to newly created report server database.



Step 12

Configure web portal URL, you can also use the default web portal URL. Click apply to configure the URL.

Click on the web URL to see the report manager.



Step 13

To develop power BI Reports you have to install Power BI Desktop report server which is designed to develop and publish power BI reports in on premises server.

Double click on PBIDesktopRS_x64.msi  then follow the below steps to install power BI Desktop











Sample Report

Open Power BI Desktop and develop new report then save report in the Power BI Report server.