Access remote instance of SQL Server 2008

  • Hi all,

    If I have sql installed in my office pc and I can only see the instance names that are setup on our network, how would I go about accessing a remote instance of sql installed elsewhere which would not be part of our network?

    I would like to know if this is possible and what would be the best course of action please.

    I have tried google and got no where I'm afraid, I have tried configuring the firewall, etc adding ports but nothing seems to work, is this possible?

    Many thanks.

  • Depends on how you want to connect to SQL.

    There are two main options

    1, get a machine on the remote site which you have RDP access to and have SSMS installed so that you can query the remote SQL server.

    2, make the remote SQL server, internet facing in some way, ensure ports are opened on both ends of the link for the right ports and use SQL authentication as the machine isn't part of your network or AD Forest. Then use the internet facing IP Address instance name and port number to connect using the SQL authentication account created.

  • Thanks for the reply, it would be option 2, we have RDP on remote server but I am looking to get access to it locally without having to use RDP.

    Have you any tips or instructions as to what I need to do for point 2 in more details as I have had no luck what so ever with configuring the ports correctly, thanks.

  • Does the remote SQL server have an external IP address? If not it needs one, or you need to put some routing in place which routes SQL packets coming from your offices external IP to the SQL server on the remote site.

  • Yes there is a seperate IP on that machine

  • Is that IP external facing or internal facing?

    Do you know the port numbers the server is using? http://support.microsoft.com/kb/287932

    Do you have a SQL authentication account ready on that server to login with?

  • The Ip address is ecternal.

    The port number is the default 1433

    Yes I have an sql server authentication account ready to go, thanks.

  • so you will need the following rules

    LocalIPAddress on ANY port to RemoteIPAddress Port 1433 -- Local Firewall

    RemoteIPAddress Port 1433 to LocalIPAddress ANY port -- Remote Firewall

  • Nope I am having no luck here unfortunately, thanks anyway.

    For whatever reason after I setup the ports, etc on both ends there is just no match happening for me.

  • Firstly are you connecting to a network that is external to the Corporate network? or is it part of of the corporate network that is just locatd Remotely.

    In either case you should speak to the Network Administrators about the problem? as they should be able to adivise you about whether this is possible and help you get round it.

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