We are experiencing problems with the combination of Microsoft Office
SharePoint Server 2007 (Moss2007), ExcelServices and Microsoft Excel 2007
(client application). The following server setup is a fact:

- Isa Server (W2003)

- Web Server (W2003, Moss2007, Reporting Server 2005)

- Backoffice Server (W2003, Moss2007, SQL Server 2005, Analysis
Server 2005)

Situation:

Internally, we can connect to a SharePoint Application. This application has
several webparts. One of the webparts is the Excel Webpart. In SSP we have a
setup the trusted file location and the trusted data connection library. We
have also setup Kerberos authorization on the web –and back office server so
we can pass credentials of the user.

In the SharePoint application we have setup an Excel Libray (for the excel
documents = trusted file location) and an Excel Data Connection Library (=
trusted data connection library). We have also created two data connections
which use the Kerberos authorization.

So far so good.

When we log on to the site, internally or externally, the excel services
renders the reports and fantastic reports are shown, with corresponding data
depending on the user (Kerberos). Excel services offers the option “Open in
Excel”. When selected, the Excel 2007 client application is locally started,
and the report is shown locally… Fantastic, except when I want to refresh the
data, I get an error “Initialization of datasource failed” (translated from
Dutch…). This only happens when we are outside our office (say outside of the
intranet). When we are inside the office, we can refresh the data!

Setup of Excel file:

- No embedded data connection

- Use of an Office Data Connection file (but this one is using the
NETBIOS name)

What I think is happening, is that when the option “open in Excel” is used,
the Client locally is started (with local credentials). When the data
connection is being refreshed, the client starts to search for the NETBIOS
name, which is only available internally.

Is this true and if so, how can we solve this?

Hello there,

Yes, your assumption is some how right. The Analysis Services only support
Windows Integrated Authentication.

So when you connect the Excel from outside the intranet, you will not
provide the Windows Credential to the Services unless you use VPN to
connect to the internal network.

You may consider use the HTTP access to the SSAS.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro.../httpasws.mspx

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Wei Lu
Microsoft Online Community Support

==================================================

When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others may learn and benefit from your issue.

==================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

When we added the settings following the website you gave to us, we get the
message forbidden when we want to access the olap cube in Excel.
We also tried it with Proclarity and we get the same message.
I think I forgot a small item.

"Wei Lu [MSFT]" wrote:

> Hello there,
>
> Yes, your assumption is some how right. The Analysis Services only support
> Windows Integrated Authentication.
>
> So when you connect the Excel from outside the intranet, you will not
> provide the Windows Credential to the Services unless you use VPN to
> connect to the internal network.
>
> You may consider use the HTTP access to the SSAS.
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro.../httpasws.mspx
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Wei Lu
> Microsoft Online Community Support
>
> ==================================================
>
> When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
> that others may learn and benefit from your issue.
>
> ==================================================
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
>
>

Hello there,

I am not sure if this you could use the VPN workaround to connect the
intranet.

Is that OK for your client?

Sincerely,

Wei Lu
Microsoft Online Community Support

==================================================

When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others may learn and benefit from your issue.

==================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Hi ,

How is everything going? Please feel free to let me know if you need any
assistance.

Sincerely,

Wei Lu
Microsoft Online Community Support

==================================================

When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others may learn and benefit from your issue.

==================================================
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.