VB connecting to a database

[netadmin06]

Hello to all, how can I connect to a remote SQL databse using Visual Basic 2005??....It seems like their "connect to a database" option only allows you to connect to a LOCAL database only, I do not see a way of connection to a remote database. The server address is something like sigma.vbnet.matcmpt.mycollege.edu

 

[w33mhz]

I use the following method, I put this in my web.config file, and just call the connection string

<connectionStrings>
<add name="SQLConnectionString" connectionString="Data Source=<servername>\<instancename>;Initial Catalog=<databasename>;UID=<databaselogin>;PWD=<password>" providerName="System.Data.SqlClient"/>
</connectionStrings>

Or is this not what you are talking about.

 

[PRPhx]

This is the way I do it:

Private Const SQL_Conn_String As String = "Network Library=DBMSSOCN; " & _
"Data Source=YourServerName,1433;" & _
"Initial Catalog=YourDBName;" & _
"uid=YourUserID;" & _
"pwd=YourPassword"

Just change the data source name, include the machine name and instance name, if you need to. Also change the Initial Catalog and userid and password.

Also, you will need to make sure your database is set up to allow remote connections.

 

[netadmin06]

Thanks for the help but I am a little confused...isnt there an option or a window where I can enter the url of the server that I want to connect to? please see attachment..under database file name you can only browse to a local database...there is no option to enter a url for a remote server...please see attached..thanks

 

[w33mhz]

It that input box you put the servername\instancename i.e. for default Sql Express database you would enter SqlDataBaseServer\SQLEXPRESS or if going to a named instance on a server you type SqlDataBaseServer\NamedInstance1

 

[netadmin06]

so if my server url is sigma.vbnet.matcmpt.bcc.edu....is that what i should enter in that box and then click connect??? I have tried that and it did not work i got an error message that says that the databse does not exist :-(...but i know that it does exist becasue when i use SQL Server Management Studio Exoress to connect i am able to connect fine...but my goal is to connect to it using visual basic 2005

 

[pmegan]

It may be a problem with the connection string. Try this:

Create a new text file on your desktop and name it test.udl.
Double click it and a database connection wizard will open.
Enter the server and login info and test the connection.
Once you get a successful connection type in the database name (using the dropdown will probably time out), check "save password" and click OK.
Right click test.udl and open it with notepad. Everything after "Provider=SQLOLEDB.1;" will be the connection string. You can paste this into the Connection String property of your SQL Connection in VB.


The test.udl file will have your password in plain text, so make sure you delete it when you're done.

 

[netadmin06]

Gentlemen,

I found why I was having problems. It is because I was using the "express" edition of Visual Basic 2005. I am now using the Professional version and under "tools" there is an option to "connect to server"....the express edition does not have this option.