Connect to the SQL Server database

The server name you use to connect to the SQL Server database depends on the port you defined; you will either use the server name only, the server name and the port, or the server name and the instance name.

Do the following:

  1. Start Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio. The Connect to Server dialog opens.

  2. For Server name, enter the name of the server or the names of both the server and the instance or port that you just configured as follows:

    • If you configured the SQL Server to use the default port 1433, enter the name of the server only, e.g. SERVER01.

    • If you configured the SQL Server to use a static port other than 1433, enter the name in the format [server name],[port], e.g. SERVER01,1910.

    • If you did not define a port at all or you defined a dynamic port, the port changes with every startup. Thus, enter both the server name and the instance name in the format [server name]\[instance], e.g. SERVER01\MSSQLSERVER.

    In this example, the default port 1433 is used so the connection is made with the server name SERVER01 only.

  3. For Authentication, select Windows Authentication.

  4. Click Connect.

The program connects to the server. The Object Explorer window on the left shows you the folders that are on the server.

Next, configure the firewall.