Trouble connecting to a remote instance of SQL Server 2008 (Developer Ed)

remote-accesssql-server-2008ssms

I just installed a named instance of SQL Server 2008 Developer Edition on our Windows 2008 server. I've been working all morning trying to enable remote connections but have been unsuccessful. Here are some details:

  • SQL Server service is running using the network service account
  • SQL Server Browser service is running using the network service account
  • TCP/IP protocol is enabled
  • TCP/IP listens on a specific IP address, port 1433 (I have done a netstat to verify it is listening)
  • Port 1433 is open on to TCP traffic in the firewall
  • Server authentication is set to mixed mode
  • Remote connections are enabled

I am able to connect from SSMS 2008 on the server itself using the following:

ipaddress\instance_name (e.g. 123.45.67.89\SQLSERVER)
SQL Server authentication (e.g. sa, password)

However, I am not able to connect, using the exact same connection properties and login, from a remote client using SSMS 2008. At first I thought it must be a firewall issue, but I tried completely turning the firewall off and still 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."

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks!

Best Answer

Open up UDP port 1434, you need this for the SQL Server Browser service.

or

Try connecting in SSMS using the following: 123.45.67.89\SQLSERVER,1433 Yo shouldn't need the browser service if you specify the port.

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