Is there a roadmap for Analysis Services Linked Servers in Azure SQL Managed Instance?

Jamie 0

My clients rely heavily on being able to query an Analysis Services Linked Server in SQL Server Enterprise. I'm aware this is not currently possible in SQL MI, which means I can't consider migrating any clients there. I'm not looking for alternative solutions and will be just fine remaining on SQL Server Enterprise while that is the only way to have this feature.

I would just like to know if Microsoft can provide an official ETA or roadmap to improve the Linked Server support on SQL MI in future, so that I can advise clients on future possibilities.

I've only seen one recent response indicating this might change in future; an idea asked 6+ years ago, with a 1+ year old company response:
"Enabling linked servers to non-SQL Server based data sources is planned." https://feedback.azure.com/d365community/idea/db80cf6e-3425-ec11-b6e6-000d3a4f0f84

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Nandan Hegde 32,996 Reputation points MVP

2024-11-19T08:18:21.3433333+00:00

Can you please state the use case of the linked server with Analysis service? There are many features in MSFT Fabric to use AAS as a source
Jamie 0 Reputation points

2024-12-06T01:56:29.8933333+00:00

Use case is that we have clients with decades worth of applications and reports that require the use of linked server to Analysis Services through OPENQUERY. There is zero consideration being made to re-architect and re-develop this work, because it is already working. This wasn't a question of which Microsoft Fabric features should I utilise, but whether Microsoft has any plans to improve the compatibility between SQL MI and SQL Enterprise.
phemanth 12,655 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-12-10T15:42:58.3333333+00:00

@Jamie I understand the importance of maintaining existing workflows and minimizing disruptions for your clients. As of now, Azure SQL Managed Instance (MI) supports linked servers primarily to SQL Server targets, including SQL Server, Azure SQL DB/MI, and Synapse SQL. Extending this capability to other data sources, such as Analysis Services, is on the roadmap. However, there isn’t an official ETA for when this feature will be available.

3 answers

Sina Salam 14,626 Reputation points

2024-10-22T10:24:26.5733333+00:00

Hello Jamie,

Welcome to the Microsoft Q&A and thank you for posting your questions here.

I understand that you would like to know if there a roadmap for Analysis Services Linked Servers in Azure SQL Managed Instance.

As of now, Azure SQL Managed Instance (MI) supports linked servers, but only to SQL Server targets such as SQL Server, Azure SQL DB/MI, and Synapse SQL. Extending this capability to other data sources, including Analysis Services, is indeed on the roadmap. But there is no specific ETA or detailed roadmap publicly available for when this feature will be implemented.

So sorry to read that this limitation affects your decision to migrate. I will advise you keep an eye on updates from Microsoft, forums or feedback channels, which can help you stay informed about any progress on this feature. For more information: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/modernization-best-practices-and/using-heterogeneous-linked-servers-from-azure-sql-mi/ba-p/3074530

I hope this is helpful! Do not hesitate to let me know if you have any other questions.

Please don't forget to close up the thread here by upvoting and accept it as an answer if it is helpful.
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Jamie 0 Reputation points

2024-10-22T13:53:38.49+00:00

Thanks for responding, but this doesn't provide any additional information about Microsoft's plans for this feature.

I have clients that cannot migrate away from Windows Servers with SQL Server Enterprise because of this missing feature, so I'm reluctantly forced to advise them not to adopt Azure cloud services because they won't be able to reduce their Windows Server management costs and risk by moving to PaaS. It would be great to be able to inform them of when any theoretical changes to this might occur.

I'm hoping that an actual Microsoft representative will see this question, understand that no ETA/roadmap for this critical feature is actively preventing adoption of Azure, and come to the table with new information about this feature.

Jamie 0 Reputation points

2024-10-22T14:06:06.3833333+00:00

~~Duplicate~~

Sina Salam 14,626 Reputation points

2024-10-22T19:01:02.1166667+00:00

Dear Jamie,

Thank you for your feedback. I understand that the lack of information on the roadmap for Analysis Services linked servers in Azure SQL Managed Instance (MI) is causing frustration, particularly when advising clients about migrating to Azure services.

At this time, Microsoft has not provided a publicly available timeline or specific roadmap for supporting linked servers to Analysis Services in Azure SQL MI. While this feature is on their broader roadmap for enhancements, no specific commitments or ETAs have been shared.

Your concerns highlight a significant adoption barrier, and I encourage you to continue voicing this need through Microsoft's official feedback channels, such as Azure Feedback or by engaging with your Microsoft account team or Solution Architect. This can help raise the priority of this feature request.

While I can't provide new details at this time, I sincerely hope that Microsoft will address this issue soon. Please keep checking for updates on this topic from Microsoft, as they often release new features or improvements based on user demand.

Success.
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phemanth 12,655 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-10-25T06:10:47.1766667+00:00

@Jamie Appreciate if you could share the feedback on our feedback channel. Which would be open for the user community to upvote & comment on. This allows our product teams to effectively prioritize your request against our existing feature backlog and gives insight into the potential impact of implementing the suggested feature.
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phemanth 12,655 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-10-28T08:07:02.97+00:00

@Jamie We haven’t heard from you on the last response and was just checking back to see if you have a resolution yet. In case if you have any resolution please do share that same with the community as it can be helpful to others. Otherwise, will respond with more details and we will try to help.

Jamie 0 Reputation points

2024-10-29T00:20:44.56+00:00

~~Duplicate~~

Don't know why these comments keep getting duplicated...

Jamie 0 Reputation points

2024-10-29T00:25:33.7566667+00:00

I don't know how the question related to Data Factory or Oracle Fusion. I've already added to the idea in SQL Managed Instance forum.

phemanth 12,655 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor

2024-10-29T08:07:57.8333333+00:00

@Jamie I apologize it is the same channel but directed to different feature .
here is the actual feed back channel for your feature

Hope this helps. Do let us know if you any further queries.

If this answers your query, do click Accept Answer and Yes for was this answer helpful. And, if you have any further query do let us know.
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ZoeHui-MSFT 38,956 Reputation points

2024-10-25T07:02:10.37+00:00

Hi @Jamie,

Temporarily, i also have not found the roadmap for Analysis Services Linked Servers in Azure SQL Managed Instance yet.

You may also raise your idea to SQL · Community (azure.com) or open a ticket to Microsoft support to get more ideas.

Regards，

Zoe Hui

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Jamie 0 Reputation points

2024-10-29T00:14:45.0566667+00:00

Thank you, I've already voted for Linked Server to non SQL Sources https://feedback.azure.com/d365community/idea/db80cf6e-3425-ec11-b6e6-000d3a4f0f84

I think that idea is already useful enough to describe what is needed?
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Is there a roadmap for Analysis Services Linked Servers in Azure SQL Managed Instance?

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