Only the VNet-hosted Azure SQL database needs an on-premises data gateway

PL-300 By islever Editorial Last updated Sep 25, 2026

Get or connect to data

Short answer

B Source2 only, because the VNet-isolated Azure SQL database is the sole private-network source.

Question

You publish a semantic model to the Power BI service. The semantic model contains data from the following data sources: • Source1: A Microsoft Excel file stored in Microsoft OneDrive for Business • Source2: An Azure SQL database on a virtual network • Source3: A public website Which data sources require an on-premises data gateway?

Source1 only
Source2 only Correct Answer
Source3 only
Source1 and Source2 only
Source2 and Source3 only

Key Takeaways

A gateway is needed when the source is unreachable from the Power BI cloud service — private-network sources like a VNet-isolated Azure SQL database qualify, while OneDrive for Business and public sites are directly reachable.

A published semantic model combines an Excel file from OneDrive for Business, an Azure SQL database inside a virtual network, and a public website, and the gateway-requiring sources must be identified.

Common mistake: Adding OneDrive to the gateway list — OneDrive for Business is a cloud service the Power BI service connects to natively, with no gateway in the refresh path.

Expert Analysis

Why the Answer Is Correct

An Azure SQL database deployed inside a virtual network (Source2) is isolated behind the VNet's network boundary; the Power BI service cannot reach it directly, and Microsoft's gateway documentation prescribes the on-premises data gateway (or VNet gateway variant) precisely for data sources on private networks. Source1 (OneDrive for Business) and Source3 (a public website) are cloud-reachable endpoints that the service connects to without a gateway.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

Option A wrongly adds the OneDrive file, which needs no gateway. Options D and E compound the error by pairing OneDrive or the public site with Source2 — each extra source named does need no gateway, so any multi-source answer overstates the requirement. Options B alone correctly scopes the gateway to the only private-network source in the list.

Community Comment Notes

A highly endorsed comment explains the principle directly: a gateway is for private-network sources such as an Azure VNet, while OneDrive and public sites are cloud-accessible. Another adds that the VNet's network security rules block the Power BI service without a gateway path.

Official Reference

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/connect-data/service-gateway-onprem

This link opens the official vendor documentation in a new tab.

Community Votes

100%

100% of anonymous learners picked answer B. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.

Discussion 4 contributions

Compiled from public community threads and reader submissions, lightly edited for clarity. Handles and vote tallies are shown as recorded, and comments reflect the views of individual contributors.

From public community threads 4

VladStan 👍 9 Answered B

You need a gateway to connect to data sources that are located in a private network, such as an Azure Virtual Network (Azure VNet). A virtual network, or VNet, is a logically isolated segment of a network that insulates traffic from the public internet. A VNet provides enhanced network security. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/guidance/powerbi-implementation-planning-data-gateways Excel file you can access via SharePoint connector and a public site is well... a public site...
jaume 👍 3 Answered B

Virtual network is the only requiring a GW as the rest should be available to all users (Organization users I mean, OneDrive for Business should be available for the company users owning such OneDrive)
tko86 👍 2 Answered B

An Azure SQL database inside a virtual network is not publicly accessible by default. It's protected by the VNet's network security rules. Therefore, you must use a data gateway to allow Power BI to connect to it. The gateway acts as a bridge between the Power BI service and the VNet. Remember, an on-premises data gateway is required when Power BI needs to access data sources that are not directly accessible over the internet.
LuluSkyy 👍 2

The correct answer is B. Reason is because Power Bi cannot access the virtual network without a gateway path. The excel file can be easily accessed by powerBi likewise the public website.

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