Can't connect to database

Question

Hi,

I wanted to start playing around with SSDT, but I didn't get very far before experiencing my first problem. Simply I can't connect to a database in the Server Explorer.

If I go to the Tools menu and select 'Connect to Database' nothing happens? What could be wrong?

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Regards, Søren Damgaard Jensen Senior BI Consultant @ Norriq, DK

Answer 1

Hi Søren,

SSDT uses SQL Server Object Explorer instead of Server Explorer.  You should be able to connect there, but let me know if you still experience issues.

Thanks,

Janet Yeilding

Answer 2

Well, I can connect to my database with SQL Server Object Explorer, but what is confusing me with you answer is this video from Microsoft's own webpage about SSDT. 11:30 mins into the video they clearly show that they are using Server Explorer to access and make changes in a database.

http://channel9.msdn.com/Events/TechEd/NorthAmerica/2011/DEV207

And if you have a look at the page below it clearly states that you can connect to a database using Server Explorer - perhaps you should update your video's and help material?

http://msdn.microsoft.com/query/dev10.query?appId=Dev10IDEF1&l=EN-US&k=k(VB.SERVEREXPLORER)&rd=true

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Regards, Søren Damgaard Jensen Senior BI Consultant @ Norriq, DK

Answer 3

That video is over a year and a half old.  For more up to date SSDT videos, please see http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/data/hh297028

The Server Explorer content you linked above is accurate.  Server Explorer is used by many VS components and for a variety of distinct scenarios (connecting to a non-SQL Server data source, for example)

 

Answer 4

Yes, the video is old, but I guessed that since the video was present on MSDN, then it must be accurate. It is actually on the page you link to with "updated" video's.

But thanks for you answers - I guess I can use the info in the video but use Object Explorer instead of Server Explorer.

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Regards, Søren Damgaard Jensen Senior BI Consultant @ Norriq, DK