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 Cant connect from an XP client to Server 2003 cpu

Author  Topic 

ravl13
Starting Member

38 Posts

Posted - 2011-10-20 : 14:50:22
Greetings,

I have an instance of SQL Server 2008 R2 express running (called CCNSERVER) on a Windows Server 2003 tower (the computer's name is SERVER. I'm not the one who named these things, folks :P). I am trying to connect to a database on the CCNSERVER instance using Management Studio 2008 on a Windows XP machine, while firewalls are enabled on both machines, but I cannot, because I get a timing out error. If I turn off the firewall on the server machine, then I can connect (as long as the SQL Server Browser is running). Some potentially relevant background information is in the list below:

1) The two computers are able to see each other when using My Network Places > Entire Network. They are connected on a local network

2) I have enabled TCP/IP protocols for the Server Instance in the SQL Server Configuration manager on the Server machine. TCP/IP protocol is also enabled in the Client Protocols section on both machines.

3) In the Configuration manager on the Server machine, if you right click TCP/IP in the protocols section, and you look at the IP Addresses, here's what is set:

IP1
Active: Yes
Enabled: No
IP Address: (IP address)
TCP Dynamic Ports: 0
TCP Port: (Blank)

IP2
Active: Yes
Enabled: No
IP Address: 127.0.0.1
TCP Dynamic Ports: 0
TCP Port: (Blank)

IPAll
TCP dynamic ports: (blank)
TCP Port: 1433

4) "Allow Remote Connections" is checked when you right-click the Server and select properties in the Object Explorer window of Management Studio.

5) I need to enable SQL Server Browser on the Server Machine in order for the Client Machine to connect to it, even with the firewall off.

6) On the Server machine, the firewall says that it is "currently using your non-domain settings".

7) I have the following things enabled as Exceptions to the Server machine firewall:

Ports 1433 (TCP) and 1434 (UDP)
smss.exe (management studio)
sqlbrowser.exe
sqlservr.exe

8) Lastly, CCNServer is the only instance of SQL Server on the Server machine.


----------

Any ideas on something I may be missing? I'd really like to be able to connect with firewalls on.

Thanks,
-ravl3

influent
Constraint Violating Yak Guru

367 Posts

Posted - 2011-10-20 : 16:22:28
Maybe the dynamically selected port on your client computer is being blocked by the firewall on the client computer?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/287932

What happens if you disable Names Pipes?
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ravl13
Starting Member

38 Posts

Posted - 2011-10-21 : 09:49:42
I disabled Names pipes, and the client computer's firewall was turned off. Still timing out.

What's really baffling is that when I type the following query when connected from the client, and the server firewall off:

SELECT net_transport, local_net_address, local_tcp_port
FROM sys.dm_exec_connections
WHERE session_id = @@SPID

the local_tcp_port comes up as 1433, and the net_address is the IP of the server machine. But I have port 1433 unblocked in the firewall exceptions on the server machine. So, I'm really confused as to what the heck is going on.
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ravl13
Starting Member

38 Posts

Posted - 2011-10-21 : 11:26:17
So I solved the problem, with the help of a coworker who just tweaked everything he could find and see what happened :P

The machines are pretty weak, hardwarewise, and so with firewalls enabled, connecting takes a LOT longer. Whereas connecting with firewalls down took only a second or two, connecting with the firewalls on takes longer than 15 seconds, which is the default time-out timeframe when connecting with Management Studio. We increased the time-out timeframe to 30 seconds in the Options menu of the login screen, and were able to connect with firewalls on with the increased time.

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