How to connect Power BI Desktop to remote MySql server that requires authentication

Question

I have a MySql database running on a remote server which requires ssh authentication that I need to connect to with Microsoft Power BI. I can easily connect to MySQL on my localhost machine, but cannot find a way to manage both the server ssh authentication and the database user log on information.

The server requires authentication on port 22 with a username and password and the MySQL database requires a different username and password.

Can anyone offer assistance?

Solution 1

It seems possible to connect remotely, though I'm not sure you can do it through an 'SSH tunnel' on port 22.

There's a discussion here about connecting remotely which sounds to me like a connection to the usual port 3306, though I'm not certain:

https://community.powerbi.com/t5/Integrations-with-Files-and/Cannot-Connect-to-MySQL-on-Linux-VM/td-p/94914

Some common pitfalls:

1) Make sure you download the correct version of MySQL/Net connector. As of now, version 6.6.5 seems to be working. I wasted a lot of time trying to figure out what was wrong with earlier versions.

2) Server & database settings: closed ports / user permissions / bind-address

Before connecting PowerBI, try to connect another utility like MySQL Workbench. This will force you to troubleshoot the above settings.

Solution 2

This is not currently possible with PowerBI. The feature is currently under review, and you can help get it prioritized by upvoting here:

https://ideas.powerbi.com/forums/265200-power-bi-ideas/suggestions/7020353-mysql-over-ssh-connection