How to Enable Remote Connection on SQL Server

In this tutorial I will teach you on how to enable remote connection on SQL Server. I will use SQL Server 2005 Express Edition on this tutorial. However, this is also applicable to any version of SQL Server. The only difference is the GUI for different kinds of SQL Server version.

This tutorial is very useful if you want to access your SQL Server database from other computer and you want to connect two or more computers from your network.

1. Open SQL Server Surface Area Configuration

2. Click Surface Area Configuration for Services and Connections

3. Click Remote Connections tab

Select Local and remotes connection. You can select Using TCP/IP only or Using both TCP/IP and named pipes if you like.

4. Start SQL Server Browser

By default SQL Server Browser is not running. You must enable it to access SQL Server remotely.

5. Open Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio

Expand Security and Logins node and Double click "sa".

6. Select SQL Server authentication

Under the General tab choose SQL Server authentication. This will enable mixed mode. Meaning you can still connect to your remote server even if you are not a member of the domain.

Under the Status tab, choose Grant under the Permission to connect to database engine and choose Enabled under Login.

That's it. If you have any question regarding this tutorial doesn’t hesitate to leave comment below.