SQL Server Management Studio: issues with remote connections - ssms

I need to use Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) to connect to a remote server for my work. I have never used SSMS before and I did not install it myself as I do not have admin rights on my work computer.
I have been given a Server Name and told to choose 'Database Engine' as Server Type and 'Windows authentication' in the 'Connect to Server' window. I have asked for firewall authorisation and I have been added among the users authorised to use the remote server.
However I have not been able so far to connect because every time I open SSMS and use the 'Connect to Server' interface I always get the same error:
'A network related or instance-specific error occurred while establishing a connection to SQL server. The server was not found or was not accessible. Verify that the instance name is correct and that SQL Server is configured to allow remote connections. (provider:TCP provider, error:0 - The remote computer refused the network connection.) (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 1225). --> The remote computer refused the network connection"
I double checked multiple times that the server name is correct and that I have firewall authorisation and that I am an authorised user for the remote server.
It makes me think that my version of SSMS is not enabled for remote access. I checked possible solutions all over Google but with no success. One suggestion is to right-click on the server name and in the Server Properties allow the remote connection. However i do not have any server instance in the Object Explorer window so nothing on which I could right-click on.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thank you in advance

Related

Unable to connect to Azure database from SQL Management Studio

When i am trying to connect to the Azure DB from SQL Management studio an getting teh below error. Not sure why am getting this error as i was able to acess the DB erlier from SQL Management Studio.
Need help on this.
TITLE: Connect to Server
Cannot connect to ijk3ffy48i.database.windows.net.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
A network-related or instance-specific error occurred while establishing a connection to SQL Server. The server was not found or was not accessible. Verify that the instance name is correct and that SQL Server is configured to allow remote connections. (provider: Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 - Could not open a connection to SQL Server) (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 53)
For help, click: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink?ProdName=Microsoft+SQL+Server&EvtSrc=MSSQLServer&EvtID=53&LinkId=20476
BUTTONS:
OK
I think probably you haven't configure any Azure DB firewall rules to allow your computer's IP to communicate with your Azure DBs.
Simple things to check (not sure what you've tried so humour me here):
You're connected to the outside network.
Instance\Database name, username and password are correct.
Instance and database are online and connectable (Azure servers not down for scheduled maintenance or run out of paid services.)
Firewall rules are incorrect.
Also I think this question here is identical to your question. Try checking that out.

SQL Server Express - Connect from remote machine

I have two Win 7 64 bit machines.
On the first one I have installed SQL Server 2008 R2 Express and have no trouble connecting via Management Studio with Windows Auth and also via SQL Auth with a user I set up on the database.
On the second machine I am trying to connect to the database on machine 1 using Management Studio. I'm trying SQL Auth. I therefore obviously also can't connect to it via connection string in my .NET Code
I can ping the first machine from the second.
Things I have tried include the following:
On the machine the database is installed make sure the firewall is allowing connection on Port 1433
Made sure SQL Server service is running
Made sure SQL Server Browser service is running
Created an exception for sqlbrowser.exe in the firewall
Enabled TCP/IP Protocol through SQL Configuration manager
Allowed Remote connections in SQL Server Management Studio
The error I get is:
A network-related or instance-specific error occurred while establishing a connection to SQL Server. The server was not found or was not accessible. Verify that the instance name is correct and that SQL Server is configured to allow remote connections
This is the connection string I use in code
Data Source=xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx\sqlexpress;Initial Catalog=dbName;User Id=myUser;Password=myPassword;
This can be caused by a number of reasons but I'm glad my suggestion about checking firewall ports (rather than just allowing a one-way exception for SQL Browser) led you to the answer: the firewall wasn't allowing the correct port # through.
If i remember correctly SQL Server disables remote connections by default.
Please check whether remote connections are enabled and enable them if not:
RMB on Server in Management Studio Object Explorer -> Properties -> Connections -> Allow remote connections...

Cannot connect to SQL server - client side issue

I might be the million'th person posting about this, but others' solutions haven't helped me. I have a database on Microsoft SQL Azure. I an trying to connect to it using the Visual Studio 2010's "Connect to Database" Tool.
From my Windows 7 machine, I can connect to it very easily. But from my Windows Server 2008R2 machine i am getting the classic error -
A network-related or instance-specific error occurred while establishing a connection to SQL Server. The server was not found or was not accessible. Verify that the instance name is correct and that SQL Server is configured to allow remote connections. (provider: Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 - Could not open a connection to SQL Server)
All the posts around the web seem to be focussing on the problems on the server side, no one cares if the client goes rogue. :(
Thanks for the replies.
I have seen similar problems with VS2010 DB Tool and Windows Server so I would not suggest try using SSMS 2008 R2 (must be R2). Once you have download SSMS 2008 R2 and configured properly to work on Windows Server it sure will work. In most of the case you really need to open SSMS settings to get it workon on Windows Server.
Next a few points to check:
Verify that the telnet is working from your Windows Server Machine:
c:>telnet _your_sqlazure_database_name.database.windows.net 1433
Disable your real time security and the try again
Finally following the link to keep applying settings in your Windows Server and SSMS which are applicable and I am sure it will work:
http://www.mssqltips.com/sqlservertip/2340/resolving-could-not-open-a-connection-to-sql-server-errors/
One issue is that you need to connect via tcp, not named pipes (per your error message).
Are both servers behind the same firewall (e.g. the same external IP address)? The SQL Azure firewall needs to be configured to allow access from remote IP addresses.

SQL Server 2005 Express - could not open a connection

I installed Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express edition on my Vista Ultimate computer. However, when it opens I enter my computer name / SQLEXPRESS. When I click the Connect button, it gives me an error message.
Under the configuration tools I cannot find the SQL Server Surface Area Configuration. It only has SQL Server Error and Usage Reporting.
The error message I receive when I click the Connect button is:
A network related or instance specific error occurred while establsihing a connection to SQL server. The server was not found or was not accessible. Verify that the instance name is correct and that the SQL server is confugured to allow remote connection (provider: Named Pipes Provider, error 40- Could not open a connection to SQL Server) (Microsoft SQL Server : error 67)
From your question, as you'd written, it appears the slash is incorrect. Try:
.\SQLEXPRESS
Also ensure that your SQL Server services are started. Run services.msc and find SQL Server(SQLExpress).
Another thing to check for is the account that the SQL Express service is running under. I think it defaults to network service, but I typically run it under Local System (or if you're feeling ambitious, make a service account for it). This has taken care of a handful of permission issues I've had with SQL Express in the past.

Unable to Connect to SQL Server 2005 Db From Vista x64 Windows Service

I'm trying to connect to a remote SQL Server 2005 db from a .NET Windows service running in Vista Home Premium x64. I can access the remote db from a console app with no problem. I can connect to a local db from the Windows service with no problem. I was able to connect from a service from XP with no problem. There's no firewall or anti-virus running. How do I configure this service to be able to connect to the remote db?
I've tried to connect by running the Windows service as a local admin account, LocalSystem, LocalService, and NetworkService.
The connection string:
Data source=SERVER_NAME;Initial Catalog=DB_NAME;Integrated Security=True;
The error:
A network-related or instance-specific error occurred while establishing a connection to SQL Server. The server was not found or was not accessible. Verify that the instance name is correct and that SQL Server is configured to allow remote connections. (provider: Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 - Could not open a connection to SQL Server)
MORE INFO:
I have also tried to connect using SQL Server authentication with no success:
Data Source=SERVER_NAME;User ID=USER_ID;Password=PWD;Initial Catalog=DB_NAME
This connection string works from the console app too.
MORE INFO:
I ran Process Monitor for the Windows Service and the console app. The Windows service showed \SERVER_NAME\pipe\sql\query was ACCESS DENIED but the console app showed SUCCESS when reading/writing files to \SERVER_NAME\pipe\sql\query.
Good Lord! Why all the gibberish and complex responses on this site. Create a User Account
Either local or Domain and set the service to use that account. Then go into your SQL Server and Add you new account to the Database and set permissions. Voila!
Oh yeah, dont plague yourself with SQL Authentication. Integrated Security is much easier to maintain and without a password in your web.config your much safer.
1) open a command prompt. Type "ping SERVER_NAME". Does it respond? You may have a DNS or connectivity issue if this doesn't work.
2) "telnet SERVER_NAME 1443". Do you see anything or does it refuse your connection? This will definitively tell you whether or not someone is listening on the other end.
3) Go into SQL Server Management Studio. Right click Properties of your server. Select "Connections" from the left side. Is "Allow Remote Connections" checked?
4) Since you're running using network service/system, you will need to make sure you have a login configured on your server for the machine account DOMAIN\CLIENTSYSTEMNAME$. Note the $ sign. This is your machine account, and this will be the user that SQL Server will see.