Connect to SQL Server across the internet...

[lidds]

I need some advise and guidance as this is well out of my comfort zone.

I have developed an VB.Net application that works with SQL Server and currently connects to the SQL server over a network within the clients company, no problem here. One of my clients has asked the following question, which I'm sure is possible to do. My client is working with another company in a joint project and my client wants my software to be used within this other company, but all the data to be saved to the same SQL Server database. My client is happy to host the database, but I am unsure how to make my software connect to this database from the other company. I guess this would have to be done over the internet somehow, as they are not in the same network.

Both of these companies are very security conscious and therefore I need the most secure option to acheive this.

Anyway and all suggestions are welcome.

Thanks in advance

Simon

 

[softhemc]

The company hosting the SQL server could set up a VPN and set up the other company as a limited access user - just sufficient to access the database via your program.

To use your program, the remote user would at first need to make the connection via the VPN. Your program would then have access to the host network.

There are several VPNs available, and I think the host company should investigate them. This should not require a change to your program.

 

[Kliot]

Vpn can be a simple solution if your hosting company is running windows server and has a static IP address. They would just have to set up the RRAS (Routing and Remote Access Service) on the server and the remote company then just needs to set up a Vpn Client to log in the the host server. If they are not using windows server or they do not want to enable RRAS then you should look into using VPN routers.