SSRS Beginner issue / Installation Steps needed to connect to external SQL Server Install

Question

I have used SSRS previously. It has been quite a long time though. The installation(s) I've used previously have included the needed Database(s) installed on the computer I was working on SSRS with.

Not this time.

Not sure why I expected this to be easy. Seems like it rarely is.

Error Dialog (when trying to run a basic report that consists of a 10 row retrieve from an external SQL Server installation):

TITLE: Microsoft SQL Server Report Designer

Could not connect to the report server http://localhost/ReportServer. Verify that the TargetServerURL is valid and that you have the correct permissions to connect to the report server.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Unable to connect to the remote server (Microsoft.ReportingServices.RsClient)

No connection could be made because the target machine actively refused it [::1]:80 (System)

--
I'm not positive if I need a version of SQL Server installed on my computer (perhaps a development version) or if this is a permissions error on my computer and/or the network and/or the external SQL Server installation I'm trying to access.

Sorry for such a basic question. But it's where I'm stuck.

Relevant SSRS installation/PC information:
Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services Designers
Version 15.0.19528.0

MS Windows 10 Education 10.0.19042

Inel Xeon W02102 CPU

Any help appreciated.

Thank you.

Scott/Tucson, AZ

Answer 1

So you're using Visual Studio to create the report and when you go into Preview you get the error I assume. To be clear here it sounds like you're trying to build and deploy your report, not do a test run of it. Deploying the report will cause it to try to connect to the target server and deploy the report to it. You only need to do that when you've got the report working. To change the SSRS instance that the report will be deployed to you should right click the project in Solution Explorer, then select Properties. In that UI there is the TargetServerURL which specifies what SSRS instance you want to talk to. Point it to the SSRS instance you want and then try deploying again.

If you just want to test your report without deploying then you can do that via the Preview tab in the designer. In this case it'll use the Data Source(s) you've configured to pull the data. This can come from any databases (or files or whatever) and has nothing to do with the target server.

Answer 2

Thank you. It's been a long time since I've worked with SSRS.

I'll look into the specifics of your answer and post again. I appreciate your help.

I'll eventually need to answer the "target" question - but this at least allows me to move forward on development.

Answer 3

Hi @Scott MacDonald ,
The "TargetServerURL" issue has been clearly given in your error report. Here is the official document about Setting Deployment Properties (Reporting Services)
Usually we could resolve some basic issues through these documents.
Best Regards,
Joy