If you are using ESI to connect to a remote SharePoint farm, the SQL Server computer and other servers in the farm are distinct from the machine on which ESI is running.
For a remote SQL Server computer, complete the following steps to set up the remote connection with ESI:
Setting up login mode
SQL Authentication: If the remote SQL Server computer is configured for SQL Authentication, then confirm the data complies with the defined guidelines.
This should be simple, assuming that the machine running ESI is authenticated or trusted in the domain to which the farm belongs.
Windows Authentication: If the remote SQL Server is configured for Windows Authentication, then it is possible that the user who logged in to the ESI machine is in the same domain as the one used by SQL Server.
Note: ESI supports domain-based farm deployments, which requires that SQL Server and SharePoint be installed in the same Windows domain as the ESI host controller.
Setting up SQL Server
To set up SQL Server:
On the SQL Server machine, navigate to Start > All Programs > SQL Server 2008 > Configuration Tools > SQL Server Configuration Manager.
In the left side of the MMC console, expand SQL Server Network Configuration.
Click Protocols for <Name>.
The name may be MSSQLSERVER, but may be a different name, depending on your installation.
In the main MMC view, double-click TCP/IP and confirm that it is enabled.
In TCP/IP properties, click IP Address and confirm the following:
The IP address is correct. For a virtual environment, you may need to correct the address.
The port number is 1433. If the port number is different, make a note of the port number that SQL Server uses.
Click Apply, and then click OK.
In the left pane of MMC, confirm that TCP/IP is enabled under SQL Native Client appears.
Setting up the firewall
On the computer that is running SQL Server, which should be the same computer on which you applied the SQL settings, enable port 1433 in the firewall. If the selected port is not 1433, then enable the port that you noted. Then confirm that TCP/IP is enabled for the port.
Confirming the connection
If a machine other than the one configured earlier is running SQL Server, then open SQL Server Management Studio and confirm the connection:
On the small toolbar above the left pane, click Connect Object Explorer.
Complete the applicable details by using the correct server name.
You can then connect to the remote server and browse the databases.
Confirm the configuration by opening Visual Studio 2008.
In Server Explorer, click Connect to Database.
Type the remote SQL server name or IP address.
Click Test Connection.
