what do I need to work with sql server on remote host? (newbie)

[gghoyt]

Hi,

I've been reading about SQL Server and all the various options and am so confused. I'm considering developing a web site using SQL Server on a remote host and writing ASP pages to read/write info from the database. If I'm paying for a webhost whose got SQL Server, then what do I need for software on my end to be able to work with the database on the remote server? I can't figure it out. Do I need to spend thousands of dollars for this?

I'm also considering going the MySQL route. It seems less confusing. I would greatly appreciate some advice from some of you with much more experience than me.

Thanks in advance!
gwenn

 

[TheBugSlayer]

If your ISP is going to host your SQL database also then you have two options, for both you need to be running SQL Server on your local PC:

1- You register your host's server on yours, over the Internet most likely. Once the server is registered you will have access to the data from EM and/or QA.
You could also add the remote sever as a linked one and run distributed queries against. Maybe security restrictions will not allow your ISP to do so.

2- You do not register your ISP's server registered locally but you send him updates to your data periocally and you put in place procedures to do so. This is the worst solution.

You don't need to spend 'thousands of dollars' to implement any of the solutions above. Basically any version of SQL Server on your PC should help you achieve the above.

 

[SQLBill]

All you really need is the 'CLIENT TOOLS' (Enterprise Manager and Query Analyzer) for SQL Server. Find out which version of SQL Server your host is using and get the client tools for that version.

-SQLBill

 

[gghoyt]

Thanks for the replies. I guess my question is this:
Is it possible to purchase just the client tools (Enterprise Manager and Query Analyzer) without purchasing the entire SQL Server package? If so, I can't find it on Microsoft's site. Sorry to be so ignorant. I appreciate the help!