Related
I am running SQL Server and no matter what I do, I cannot access the server remotely using SQL Server Management Studio.
I keep getting this error:
A network related or instance specific error while establishing the connection to the server
I am able to access the server locally but not remotely using the correct connection details hostname etc.
I have configured/ensured the following:
SSMS server properties -> Security -> Authentication mode: SQL Server and Windows authentication mode
SSMS server properties -> Connections -> Allow remote connections
SQL Server & SQL Server Browser services are running
I have to tried to ping the server, I am getting 'Request timed out' but I am able access to the web server using browser?
Firewall TCP port 1433 is opened
In SQL Server configuration manager enabled and configured TCP/IP
What else can I check?
Thanks
Please try to do telnet in CMD
telnet serverip 1433
If you can't connect, ask your network admin to open port 1433 for source-destination and destination-source.
I just installed SQL Server Express 2012 on my home server. I'm trying to connect to it from Visual Studio 2012 from my desktop PC, and repeatedly getting the well-known 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)
What I've done to try to fix this:
Run SQL Server Configuration Manager on the server and enable SQL Server Browser
Add a Windows Firewall exception on the server for TCP, ports 1433 and 1434 on the local subnet.
Verify that I have a login on the SQL Server instance for the user I'm logged in as on the desktop.
Verify that I'm using Windows Authentication on the SQL Server instance.
Repeatedly restart SQL Server and the whole dang server.
Pull all my hair out.
How can I get SQL Server 2012 Express to allow remote connections!?
Well, glad I asked. The solution I finally discovered was here:
How do I configure SQL Server Express to allow remote tcp/ip connections on port 1433?
Run SQL Server Configuration Manager.
Go to SQL Server Network Configuration > Protocols for SQLEXPRESS.
Make sure TCP/IP is enabled.
So far, so good, and entirely expected. But then:
Right-click on TCP/IP and select Properties.
Verify that, under IP2, the IP Address is set to the computer's IP address on the local subnet.
Scroll down to IPAll.
Make sure that TCP Dynamic Ports is blank. (Mine was set to some 5-digit port number.)
Make sure that TCP Port is set to 1433. (Mine was blank.)
(Also, if you follow these steps, it's not necessary to enable SQL Server Browser, and you only need to allow port 1433, not 1434.)
These extra five steps are something I can't remember ever having had to do in a previous version of SQL Server, Express or otherwise. They appear to have been necessary because I'm using a named instance (myservername\SQLEXPRESS) on the server instead of a default instance. See here:
Configure a Server to Listen on a Specific TCP Port (SQL Server Configuration Manager)
The correct way to connect to remote SQL Server (without opening UDP port 1434 and enabling SQL Server Browser) is to use ip and port instead of named instance.
Using ip and port instead of named instance is also safer, as it reduces the attack surface area.
Perhaps 2 pictures speak 2000 words...
This method uses the specified port (this is what most people want I believe)..
This method requires opening UDP port 1434 and SQL Server Browser running..
One More Thing...
Kyralessa provides great information but I have one other thing to add where I was stumped even after this article.
Under SQL Server Network Configuration > Protocols for Server > TCP/IP Enabled. Right Click TCP/IP and choose properties. Under the IP Addresses you need to set Enabled to Yes for each connection type that you are using.
You can use this to solve this issue:
Go to START > EXECUTE, and run CLICONFG.EXE.
The Named Pipes protocol will be first in the list.Demote it, and promote TCP/IP.
Test the application thoroughly.
I hope this help.
You can also set
Listen All to NO
in the protocol dialog then in the IP address IP1 (say)
set enabled to Yes,
define yr IP address,
set TCP Dynamic to Blank and
TCP port to 1433 (or whatever)
I had this problem recently. 2015 Aug
Solved by opening SQL Server Configuration Manager
SQL Server Network Configuration -> Protocols for SQLEXPRESS
Properties on TCP/IP -> IP Adresses tab
Everything stays default, only set IPALL: TCP Port to 1433
Can connect to with SQL Server Manager to machine: [hostaddress], 1433
Example:
This article helped me...
How to enable remote connections in SQL Server
Everything in SQL Server was configured, my issue was the firewall was blocking port 1433
On my installation of SQL Server 2012 Developer Edition, installed with default settings, I just had to load the SQL Server Configuration Manager -> SQL Server Network Configuration -> Protocols for MSSQLSERVER and change TCP/IP from Disabled to Enabled.
I had to add a firewall inbound port rule to open UDP port 1434. This is the one Sql Server Browser listens on.
I prefer way of "Rosdi Kasim" as that's doesn't require detail configuration on the IP.
I will definitely forget it again when I try to up another server again.
Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS) by simply enable the Sql Server Browser service, then add the \SQLEXPRESS behind the IP when you connect the server.
Direct using IP without "\SQLEXPRESS" was my point of failure as it doesn't use the default port.
Thanks.
I had to add port via Configuration Manager and add the port number in my sql connection [host]\[db instance name],1433
Note the , (comma) between instancename and port
I had the same issue with SQL Server 2014 locally installed named instance. Connecting using the FQDN\InstanceName would fail, while connecting using only my hostname\InstanceName worked. For example: connecting using mycomputername\sql2014 worked, but using mycomputername.mydomain.org\sql2014 did not. DNS resolved correctly, TCP/IP was enabled within SQL Configuration Manager, Windows Firewall rules added (and then turned the firewall off for testing to ensure it wasn't blocking anything), but none of those fixed the problem.
Finally, I had to start the "SQL Server Browser" service on the SQL Server and that fixed the connectivity issue.
I had never realized that the SQL Server Browser service actually assisted the SQL Server in making connections; I was under the impression that it simply helped populate the dropdowns when you clicked "browse for more" servers to connect to, but it actually helps align client requests with the correct port # to use, if the port # is not explicitly assigned (similar to how website bindings help alleviate the same issue on an IIS web server that hosts multiple websites).
This connect item is what gave me the clue about the SQL Server Browser service: https://connect.microsoft.com/SQLServer/feedback/details/589901/unable-to-connect-on-localhost-using-fqdn-machine-name
when you use wstst05\sqlexpress as a server name, the client code separates the machine name from the instance name and the wstst05 is
compared against the netbios name. I see no problem for them to match
and the connection is considered local. From there, we retrieve the
needed information WITHOUT contacting SQL Browser and connect to the
SQL instance via Shared Memory without any problem.
when you use wstst05.capatest.local\sqlexpress, the client code fails the comparison of the name (wstst05.capatest.local) to the
netbios name (wstst05) and considers the connection "remote". This is
by design and we will definitely consider improving this in the
future. Anyway, due to considering the connection remote and the fact
that it is a named instance, client decides that it needs to use
SQLBrowser for name resolution. It attempts to contact SQL Browser on
wstst05.capatest.local (UDP port 1434) and apparently that part fails.
Hence the error you get.
The reason for the "SQL Server Browser" service from TechNet (emphasis added by me): https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms181087(v=sql.120).aspx
From the "Using SQL Server Browser" section:
If the SQL Server Browser service is not running, you are still able
to connect to SQL Server if you provide the correct port number or
named pipe. For instance, you can connect to the default instance of
SQL Server with TCP/IP if it is running on port 1433. However, if
the SQL Server Browser service is not running, the following
connections do not work:
Any component that tries to connect to a named instance without fully specifying all the parameters (such as the TCP/IP port or named
pipe).
Any component that generates or passes server\instance information that could later be used by other components to reconnect.
Connecting to a named instance without providing the port number or pipe.
DAC to a named instance or the default instance if not using TCP/IP port 1433.
The OLAP redirector service.
Enumerating servers in SQL Server Management Studio, Enterprise Manager, or Query Analyzer.
If you are using SQL Server in a client-server scenario (for example,
when your application is accessing SQL Server across a network), if
you stop or disable the SQL Server Browser service, you must assign a
specific port number to each instance and write your client
application code to always use that port number. This approach has the
following problems:
You must update and maintain client application code to ensure it is connecting to the proper port.
The port you choose for each instance may be used by another service or application on the server, causing the instance of SQL
Server to be unavailable.
And more info from the same article from the "How SQL Server Browser Works" section:
Because only one instance of SQL Server can use a port or pipe,
different port numbers and pipe names are assigned for named
instances, including SQL Server Express. By default, when
enabled, both named instances and SQL Server Express are configured to
use dynamic ports, that is, an available port is assigned when SQL
Server starts. If you want, a specific port can be assigned to an
instance of SQL Server. When connecting, clients can specify a
specific port; but if the port is dynamically assigned, the port
number can change anytime SQL Server is restarted, so the correct port
number is unknown to the client. ... When SQL Server clients request
SQL Server resources, the client network library sends a UDP message
to the server using port 1434. SQL Server Browser responds with the
TCP/IP port or named pipe of the requested instance. The network
library on the client application then completes the connection by
sending a request to the server using the port or named pipe of the
desired instance
I had a different problem from what all of the answers so far mentioned!
I should start off by saying that I had it in Visual Studio, and not SQL Server Express but the solution should be exactly the same.
Well, god, it's actually really simple and maybe a bit foolish.
When I tried to create a database and Visual Studio suggested the name of the SQL Server it gave me my Windows username and since it's actually the name of the server I went for it.
In reality it actually was my Windows username + \SQLEXPRESS. If you didn't change any settings this is probably yours too. If it works, stop reading; this is my answer. If it doesn't work maybe the name is different.
If, like me, you only had this problem in Visual Studio to check what is yours follow these steps:
Open SQL Server Management Studioicon.
If you don't see your server (docked to the left by default) press F8 or go to View -> Object Explorer.
Right click on the name of the server and choose Properties (The last item)
At the bottom left you can see your server's actual name under "Server" (not Connection, but above it).
This is the name of the server and this is what you should attempt to connect to! not what Visual Studio suggests!
One more thing to check is that you have spelled the named instance correctly!
This article is very helpful in troubleshooting connection problems: How to Troubleshoot Connecting to the SQL Server Database Engine
In my case the database was running on non standard port. Check that the port you are connecting is the same as the port the database is running on. If there are more instances of SQL server, check the correct one.
All you need to do is open the relevant port on the server's firewall.
Having problems connecting to SQL Server?
Try disconnecting firewall.
If you can connect with firewall disconnected, may be you miss some input rules like "sql service broker", add this input rules to your firewall:
"SQL ADMIN CONNECTION" TCP PORT 1434
"SQL ADMIN CONNECTION" UDP PORT 1434
"SQL ANALYSIS SERVICE" TCP PORT 2383
"SQL BROWSE ANALYSIS SERVICE" TCP PORT 2382
"SQL DEBUGGER/RPC" TCP PORT 135
"SQL SERVER" TCP PORT 1433 and others if you have dinamic ports
"SQL SERVICE BROKER" TCP PORT 4022
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...
I just installed SQL Server Express 2012 on my home server. I'm trying to connect to it from Visual Studio 2012 from my desktop PC, and repeatedly getting the well-known 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)
What I've done to try to fix this:
Run SQL Server Configuration Manager on the server and enable SQL Server Browser
Add a Windows Firewall exception on the server for TCP, ports 1433 and 1434 on the local subnet.
Verify that I have a login on the SQL Server instance for the user I'm logged in as on the desktop.
Verify that I'm using Windows Authentication on the SQL Server instance.
Repeatedly restart SQL Server and the whole dang server.
Pull all my hair out.
How can I get SQL Server 2012 Express to allow remote connections!?
Well, glad I asked. The solution I finally discovered was here:
How do I configure SQL Server Express to allow remote tcp/ip connections on port 1433?
Run SQL Server Configuration Manager.
Go to SQL Server Network Configuration > Protocols for SQLEXPRESS.
Make sure TCP/IP is enabled.
So far, so good, and entirely expected. But then:
Right-click on TCP/IP and select Properties.
Verify that, under IP2, the IP Address is set to the computer's IP address on the local subnet.
Scroll down to IPAll.
Make sure that TCP Dynamic Ports is blank. (Mine was set to some 5-digit port number.)
Make sure that TCP Port is set to 1433. (Mine was blank.)
(Also, if you follow these steps, it's not necessary to enable SQL Server Browser, and you only need to allow port 1433, not 1434.)
These extra five steps are something I can't remember ever having had to do in a previous version of SQL Server, Express or otherwise. They appear to have been necessary because I'm using a named instance (myservername\SQLEXPRESS) on the server instead of a default instance. See here:
Configure a Server to Listen on a Specific TCP Port (SQL Server Configuration Manager)
The correct way to connect to remote SQL Server (without opening UDP port 1434 and enabling SQL Server Browser) is to use ip and port instead of named instance.
Using ip and port instead of named instance is also safer, as it reduces the attack surface area.
Perhaps 2 pictures speak 2000 words...
This method uses the specified port (this is what most people want I believe)..
This method requires opening UDP port 1434 and SQL Server Browser running..
One More Thing...
Kyralessa provides great information but I have one other thing to add where I was stumped even after this article.
Under SQL Server Network Configuration > Protocols for Server > TCP/IP Enabled. Right Click TCP/IP and choose properties. Under the IP Addresses you need to set Enabled to Yes for each connection type that you are using.
You can use this to solve this issue:
Go to START > EXECUTE, and run CLICONFG.EXE.
The Named Pipes protocol will be first in the list.Demote it, and promote TCP/IP.
Test the application thoroughly.
I hope this help.
You can also set
Listen All to NO
in the protocol dialog then in the IP address IP1 (say)
set enabled to Yes,
define yr IP address,
set TCP Dynamic to Blank and
TCP port to 1433 (or whatever)
I had this problem recently. 2015 Aug
Solved by opening SQL Server Configuration Manager
SQL Server Network Configuration -> Protocols for SQLEXPRESS
Properties on TCP/IP -> IP Adresses tab
Everything stays default, only set IPALL: TCP Port to 1433
Can connect to with SQL Server Manager to machine: [hostaddress], 1433
Example:
This article helped me...
How to enable remote connections in SQL Server
Everything in SQL Server was configured, my issue was the firewall was blocking port 1433
On my installation of SQL Server 2012 Developer Edition, installed with default settings, I just had to load the SQL Server Configuration Manager -> SQL Server Network Configuration -> Protocols for MSSQLSERVER and change TCP/IP from Disabled to Enabled.
I had to add a firewall inbound port rule to open UDP port 1434. This is the one Sql Server Browser listens on.
I prefer way of "Rosdi Kasim" as that's doesn't require detail configuration on the IP.
I will definitely forget it again when I try to up another server again.
Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS) by simply enable the Sql Server Browser service, then add the \SQLEXPRESS behind the IP when you connect the server.
Direct using IP without "\SQLEXPRESS" was my point of failure as it doesn't use the default port.
Thanks.
I had to add port via Configuration Manager and add the port number in my sql connection [host]\[db instance name],1433
Note the , (comma) between instancename and port
I had the same issue with SQL Server 2014 locally installed named instance. Connecting using the FQDN\InstanceName would fail, while connecting using only my hostname\InstanceName worked. For example: connecting using mycomputername\sql2014 worked, but using mycomputername.mydomain.org\sql2014 did not. DNS resolved correctly, TCP/IP was enabled within SQL Configuration Manager, Windows Firewall rules added (and then turned the firewall off for testing to ensure it wasn't blocking anything), but none of those fixed the problem.
Finally, I had to start the "SQL Server Browser" service on the SQL Server and that fixed the connectivity issue.
I had never realized that the SQL Server Browser service actually assisted the SQL Server in making connections; I was under the impression that it simply helped populate the dropdowns when you clicked "browse for more" servers to connect to, but it actually helps align client requests with the correct port # to use, if the port # is not explicitly assigned (similar to how website bindings help alleviate the same issue on an IIS web server that hosts multiple websites).
This connect item is what gave me the clue about the SQL Server Browser service: https://connect.microsoft.com/SQLServer/feedback/details/589901/unable-to-connect-on-localhost-using-fqdn-machine-name
when you use wstst05\sqlexpress as a server name, the client code separates the machine name from the instance name and the wstst05 is
compared against the netbios name. I see no problem for them to match
and the connection is considered local. From there, we retrieve the
needed information WITHOUT contacting SQL Browser and connect to the
SQL instance via Shared Memory without any problem.
when you use wstst05.capatest.local\sqlexpress, the client code fails the comparison of the name (wstst05.capatest.local) to the
netbios name (wstst05) and considers the connection "remote". This is
by design and we will definitely consider improving this in the
future. Anyway, due to considering the connection remote and the fact
that it is a named instance, client decides that it needs to use
SQLBrowser for name resolution. It attempts to contact SQL Browser on
wstst05.capatest.local (UDP port 1434) and apparently that part fails.
Hence the error you get.
The reason for the "SQL Server Browser" service from TechNet (emphasis added by me): https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms181087(v=sql.120).aspx
From the "Using SQL Server Browser" section:
If the SQL Server Browser service is not running, you are still able
to connect to SQL Server if you provide the correct port number or
named pipe. For instance, you can connect to the default instance of
SQL Server with TCP/IP if it is running on port 1433. However, if
the SQL Server Browser service is not running, the following
connections do not work:
Any component that tries to connect to a named instance without fully specifying all the parameters (such as the TCP/IP port or named
pipe).
Any component that generates or passes server\instance information that could later be used by other components to reconnect.
Connecting to a named instance without providing the port number or pipe.
DAC to a named instance or the default instance if not using TCP/IP port 1433.
The OLAP redirector service.
Enumerating servers in SQL Server Management Studio, Enterprise Manager, or Query Analyzer.
If you are using SQL Server in a client-server scenario (for example,
when your application is accessing SQL Server across a network), if
you stop or disable the SQL Server Browser service, you must assign a
specific port number to each instance and write your client
application code to always use that port number. This approach has the
following problems:
You must update and maintain client application code to ensure it is connecting to the proper port.
The port you choose for each instance may be used by another service or application on the server, causing the instance of SQL
Server to be unavailable.
And more info from the same article from the "How SQL Server Browser Works" section:
Because only one instance of SQL Server can use a port or pipe,
different port numbers and pipe names are assigned for named
instances, including SQL Server Express. By default, when
enabled, both named instances and SQL Server Express are configured to
use dynamic ports, that is, an available port is assigned when SQL
Server starts. If you want, a specific port can be assigned to an
instance of SQL Server. When connecting, clients can specify a
specific port; but if the port is dynamically assigned, the port
number can change anytime SQL Server is restarted, so the correct port
number is unknown to the client. ... When SQL Server clients request
SQL Server resources, the client network library sends a UDP message
to the server using port 1434. SQL Server Browser responds with the
TCP/IP port or named pipe of the requested instance. The network
library on the client application then completes the connection by
sending a request to the server using the port or named pipe of the
desired instance
I had a different problem from what all of the answers so far mentioned!
I should start off by saying that I had it in Visual Studio, and not SQL Server Express but the solution should be exactly the same.
Well, god, it's actually really simple and maybe a bit foolish.
When I tried to create a database and Visual Studio suggested the name of the SQL Server it gave me my Windows username and since it's actually the name of the server I went for it.
In reality it actually was my Windows username + \SQLEXPRESS. If you didn't change any settings this is probably yours too. If it works, stop reading; this is my answer. If it doesn't work maybe the name is different.
If, like me, you only had this problem in Visual Studio to check what is yours follow these steps:
Open SQL Server Management Studioicon.
If you don't see your server (docked to the left by default) press F8 or go to View -> Object Explorer.
Right click on the name of the server and choose Properties (The last item)
At the bottom left you can see your server's actual name under "Server" (not Connection, but above it).
This is the name of the server and this is what you should attempt to connect to! not what Visual Studio suggests!
One more thing to check is that you have spelled the named instance correctly!
This article is very helpful in troubleshooting connection problems: How to Troubleshoot Connecting to the SQL Server Database Engine
In my case the database was running on non standard port. Check that the port you are connecting is the same as the port the database is running on. If there are more instances of SQL server, check the correct one.
All you need to do is open the relevant port on the server's firewall.
Having problems connecting to SQL Server?
Try disconnecting firewall.
If you can connect with firewall disconnected, may be you miss some input rules like "sql service broker", add this input rules to your firewall:
"SQL ADMIN CONNECTION" TCP PORT 1434
"SQL ADMIN CONNECTION" UDP PORT 1434
"SQL ANALYSIS SERVICE" TCP PORT 2383
"SQL BROWSE ANALYSIS SERVICE" TCP PORT 2382
"SQL DEBUGGER/RPC" TCP PORT 135
"SQL SERVER" TCP PORT 1433 and others if you have dinamic ports
"SQL SERVICE BROKER" TCP PORT 4022
I want to connect from home using SQL Server 2005 to another PC.
I had a look on the msd...but before connecting it says I should connect to another computer
using the computer management and it didn't work out....I can only connect to computers from my workgroup?
Thanks,
Luisa
Disclamer
This is just some additional information that might help anyone. I want to make it abundantly clear that what I am describing here is possibly:
A. not 100% correct and
B. not safe in terms of network security.
I am not a DBA, but every time I find myself setting up a SQL Server (Express or Full) for testing or what not I run into the connectivity issue. The solution I am describing is more for the person who is just trying to get their job done - consult someone who is knowledgeable in this field when setting up a production server.
For SQL Server 2008 R2 this is what I end up doing:
Make sure everything is squared away like in this
tutorial which is the same tutorial posted above as a solution by "Dani" as the selected answer to this question.
Check and/or set, your firewall settings for the computer that is hosting the SQL Server. If you are using a Windows Server 2008 R2 then use the Server Manager, go to Configuration and then look at "Windows Firewall with Advanced Security". If you are using Windows 7 then go to Control Panel and search for "Firewall" click on "Allow a program through Windows Firewall".
Create an inbound rule for port TCP 1433 - allow the connection
Create an outbound rule for port TCP 1433 - allow the connection
When you are finished with the firewall settings you are going to want to check one more thing. Open up the "SQL Server Configuration Manager" locate: SQL Server Network Configuration - Protocols for SQLEXPRESS (or equivalent) - TCP/IP
Double click on TCP/IP
Click on the IP Addresses tab
Under IP1 set the TCP Port to 1433 if it hasn't been already
Under IP All set the TCP Port to 1433 if it hasn't been already
Restart SQL Server and SQL Browser (do both just to be on the safe side)
Usually after I do what I mentioned above I don't have a problem anymore. Here is a screenshot of what to look for - for that last step:
Again, if someone with more information about this topic sees a red flag please correct me.
If you want to connect to SQL server remotly you need to use a software - like Sql Server Management studio.
The computers doesn't need to be on the same network - but they must be able to connect each other using a communication protocol like tcp/ip, and the server must be set up to support incoming connection of the type you choose.
if you want to connect to another computer (to browse files ?) you use other tools, and not sql server (you can map a drive and access it through there ect...)
To Enable SQL connection using tcp/ip read this article:
For Sql Express: express
For Sql 2008: 2008
Make sure you enable access through the machine firewall as well.
You might need to install either SSMS or Toad on the machine your using to connect to the server. both you can download from their's company web site.
all of above answers would help you but you have to add three ports in the firewall of PC on which SQL Server is installed.
Add new TCP Local port in Windows firewall at port no. 1434
Add new program for SQL Server and select sql server.exe
Path: C:\ProgramFiles\Microsoft SQL
Server\MSSQL10.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\Binn\sqlservr.exe
Add new program for SQL Browser and select sqlbrowser.exe
Path: C:\ProgramFiles\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Shared\sqlbrowser.exe
I'll edit my previous answer based on further info supplied. You can clearely ping the remote computer as you can use terminal services.
I've a feeling that port 1433 is being blocked by a firewall, hence your trouble. See TCP Ports Needed for Communication to SQL Server Through a Firewall by Microsoft.
Try using this application to ping your servers ip address and port 1433.
tcping your.server.ip.address 1433
And see if you get a "Port is open" response from tcping.
Ok, next to try is to check SQL Server. RDP onto the SQL Server computer. Start SSMS. Connect to the database. In object explorer (usually docked on the left) right click on the server and click properties.
alt text http://www.hicrest.net/server_prop_menu.jpg
Goto the Connections settings and make sure "Allow remote connections to this server" is ticket.
alt text http://www.hicrest.net/server_properties.jpg
Here is the link ... You must read it.