SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) provides a comprehensive platform for creating, deploying, and managing reports. Understanding its architecture is crucial for efficient development and administration.
Core Components
Report Server Service
The heart of SSRS. It hosts the report server, processes reports, manages security, handles report scheduling, and delivers reports to various destinations.
Report Server Database
Stores report definitions, report metadata, snapshots, subscription information, security settings, and server properties.
Report Designer
A development tool (typically part of SQL Server Data Tools - SSDT) used to create report layouts, define data sources, write queries, and design report elements.
Report Manager
A web-based portal for managing reports, data sources, security, subscriptions, and viewing deployed reports. (Modern SSRS uses the Web Portal).
Report Viewer Controls
Components (e.g., for ASP.NET Web Forms, ASP.NET Core, or client-side JavaScript) that allow embedding and interacting with reports in custom applications.
Architectural Flow
The architecture can be visualized as a series of interactions between these components:
(Conceptual Diagram - Actual visual may vary based on specific deployment and version)
Key Architectural Concepts
- Service-Oriented Architecture: SSRS exposes functionality through web services (SOAP and REST) allowing for programmatic interaction and integration.
- Scalability: The report server can be deployed in a scale-out configuration to distribute the load and improve performance.
- Extensibility: SSRS supports custom report items, custom delivery extensions, and custom security extensions.
- Data Access: It connects to various data sources (SQL Server, Analysis Services, Oracle, flat files, etc.) using data providers.
- Rendering: Reports can be rendered in multiple formats, including HTML, PDF, Excel, Word, TIFF, and others.
Deployment Models
- Native Mode: The traditional SSRS deployment, where the report server is installed as a standalone service.
- SharePoint Integrated Mode: SSRS components are integrated with a SharePoint farm, leveraging SharePoint's infrastructure for management and reporting. (This mode is less common in newer versions).
Example Configuration Snippet (Conceptual)
Configuration settings are often managed via the rsreportserver.config file and the Report Server Configuration Manager.
<Configuration><!-- ... --><Services><Service Name="ReportServer"><Type>Microsoft.ReportingServices.Portal.Services.WebServiceImpl, Microsoft.ReportingServices.WebServiceImpl</Type><UrlString>http://yourserver/reportserver</UrlString></Service><Service Name="ReportManager"><Type>Microsoft.ReportingServices.Portal.Services.WebPortalService, Microsoft.ReportingServices.WebPortalService</Type><UrlString>http://yourserver/reports</UrlString></Service></Services><!-- ... --></Configuration>
Interactions
When a user requests a report:
- The Report Server Service receives the request (via the Web Portal or direct API call).
- It authenticates and authorizes the user.
- It retrieves the report definition from the Report Server Database.
- It connects to the specified data sources to fetch data.
- It processes the report, applying the layout and data.
- It renders the report in the requested format.
- The rendered report is delivered to the user or destination.
This architecture provides a robust and flexible solution for business intelligence reporting.