Application runing over network using SQL DB

Question

Hi.

If I install a .Net application on a server and there are multiple PCs attached to that server on the network, I can run the application form the PC that is installed on the server. No problem.

If I then want the application (now running on the PC) to access a SQL Server (Express) database on the same server, I understand that the PC will need some sort of provider/runtime installation to do this.

So, my question is: Is there some sort of minimal install onto the PC to allow an assembly running on the PC to access the SQL Server Database? Something that's not dozens and dozens of Mbs in size? What's the best option in this situation (apart for installing something like Citrix)?

Mant thanks,

Julian Tucker

Answer 1

Hello Julian,

It's not really clear for me what you mean? Do you mean Client Access components? On current Windows OS Versions it's already installed, and if not you can get the "SQL Server Native Client" from e.g. Microsoft® SQL Server® 2012 SP2 Feature Pack => SqlNCli.msi

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Olaf Helper

[ Blog] [ Xing] [ MVP]

Answer 2

You need SSMS(sql server management studio) to connect to the sql server database. 

SSMS is client that is available for free. you can install it separately(alone) or along with sql server.

so, on all your pc's that you want to connect to sql server engine, download ssms and install on each PC and let the users connect to sql server using. there are plenty of articles available on net on how to do it. search - "Connecting to SQL Server using SSMS" and this video seems to explain better https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNObiptSMSI

there are other clients you can use but SSMS is by far the most commonly used and free

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Hope it Helps!!

Answer 3

Hello,

The PCs just need SQL Server Native Client to get connected to the SQL Server computer. This can be downloaded from the following URL.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=42295

The SQL Server computer will need to have the TCP/IP protocol started, the SQL Server Browser Service enabled and started (when using SQL Server Express or a name instance of SQL Server), and the Windows Firewall configured or disabled.

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms191294.aspx

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc646023.aspx

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Alberto Morillo
SQLCoffee.com

Answer 4

That is exactly what I was after Olaf. Many thanks. A 3 or 4 Mb file that you can install on a machine to give your program basic access to a SQL Server DB somewhere on the network. 

Worked first time. Excellent!

Thanks.

Julian