PowerPivot Web Service (PowerPivot for SharePoint)
PowerPivot Web service is a thin middle-tier connection manager that runs on a SharePoint Web front end. The service detects requests for PowerPivot data that originate from outside the farm, and then forwards those requests to PowerPivot service applications that run inside the farm. Requests that originate from outside the farm are typically from client applications that use PowerPivot data as an external, read-only data source. Examples of this type of connection include:
In Report Builder, referencing a PowerPivot workbook as a data source using its SharePoint URL for the server connection.
In Excel, creating an Analysis Services database connection to a PowerPivot workbook using the SharePoint URL for the server connection.
The following diagram illustrates the connection sequence that the PowerPivot Web service handles for requests that originate outside the farm:
.gif "Connections from outside the farm.")
The tools and scenarios for external connections vary, but in all cases the common factor is that connections to PowerPivot data originate from client or server applications that do not run within the farm.
The SharePoint URL provides a document path that includes SharePoint server and Web application information. Predefined associations between a Web application and a PowerPivot service application in the farm enable the PowerPivot Web service to find a PowerPivot service application and forward the request to it. The PowerPivot service application retrieves the workbook from a content library and saves it locally. The PowerPivot service application then forwards the query to the local Analysis Services instance on the same application server. The data is loaded and returned to the client, closing the loop with the client from whom the request originated.
Note
Client applications that request PowerPivot data must have the SQL Server 2008 R2 version of the Analysis Services client libraries. You can use any one of the Analysis Services client libraries to support client-side connections to PowerPivot data: AMO, ADOMD.NET, or the Analysis Services OLE DB provider. To download any of these libraries, go to this Microsoft web site.
PowerPivot Web Service Deployment and Administration
PowerPivot Web service is implemented as a Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) Web service. It is hosted by a SharePoint Web application and runs under the process identity of the Web application for which it is monitoring requests.
The service is installed and updated through a PowerPivot solution package that you deploy when you configure PowerPivot for SharePoint or when you add a new SharePoint web application to your farm. For more information about how and when to deploy the solution, see Deploy PowerPivot Solutions.
PowerPivot Web service is not configurable, nor is it managed as a separate or standalone component. For configuration and administrative purposes, you should consider it an internal component.