active directory connection

Hi,
can I connect sql server 2000 to active directory, even
thay are on different machine but on the same domain ?
How ?
Thanks a lot!!!Check out :
http://www.atlantamdf.com/presentations/AtlantaMDF_111201_examples.txt for
an example using Linked server and LDAP query from SQL Server ...
--
HTH,
Vinod Kumar
MCSE, DBA, MCAD, MCSD
http://www.extremeexperts.com
"don pasquale" <anonymous@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:06c201c39314$e6bcaea0$a001280a@.phx.gbl...
> Hi,
> can I connect sql server 2000 to active directory, even
> thay are on different machine but on the same domain ?
> How ?
> Thanks a lot!!!
>

Active Directory authorization in RS Standard Edition

It is possible ?
Users connect to database with report data using own Active Directory
domain credentials (not ASPNET account) and users not must write login
and password (login credentials must be send automatic by IE)Bartosz Gorzynski <bartosz.gorzynski@.zapolex.pl> wrote in message news:<#T2XaQU0EHA.3808@.tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl>...
> It is possible ?
> Users connect to database with report data using own Active Directory
> domain credentials (not ASPNET account) and users not must write login
> and password (login credentials must be send automatic by IE)
By changing your securty within ASP.NET to Windows, rather than forms
and then invoking impersonation you should be able to accomplish this.
Samples for this are available at gotdotnet.
Good luck
Cos

Acess 2003 connection problem to SQL Server

I have a small group who uses Access 2003 to connect to SQL Server. The
users run XP pro and Access 2003. A common DSN is created on each user’s
box. They are connecting to a box with Windows 2000 Standard Svc Pack 4 &
SQL Server 2000 Standard Svc Pack 3a. They are linking to the SQL Server
tables. We are using windows authentication.
The two users are not able to access SQL Server at the same time. The error
message they are receiving is:
Microsoft Office Access
Could not execute query; could not find liked table.
[Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver][SQL Server] Invalid object name
‘dbo.MAIN. (#208)
Interesting though is that if the user drops the e linked table and try to
relink it the objects that appear are from the Master database.
I verified the Group the users belong to have the correct default database
set.
I am at a loss and any help or hints to get me going in the right direction
would be appreciated.
It will work better for you if you ditched the DSNs and wrote VBA/DAO
code to relink the tables. You can supply ODBC connection string
information directly when the application loads, and delete the
TableDef objects when the application closes. You supply a source
table name, and the name of the link in the FE separately. This way
you pick up any schema changes to the underlying tables, which
invalidates old links. You can get the correct connection string from
http://able-consulting.com/ADO_Conn.htm. I recommend using DAO for
this instead of ADOX because there have been problems in the past with
linked tables coming in read-only.
--Mary
On Thu, 12 Aug 2004 09:21:02 -0700, "T Man"
<TMan@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>I have a small group who uses Access 2003 to connect to SQL Server. The
>users run XP pro and Access 2003. A common DSN is created on each users
>box. They are connecting to a box with Windows 2000 Standard Svc Pack 4 &
>SQL Server 2000 Standard Svc Pack 3a. They are linking to the SQL Server
>tables. We are using windows authentication.
>The two users are not able to access SQL Server at the same time. The error
>message they are receiving is:
>Microsoft Office Access
>Could not execute query; could not find liked table.
>[Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver][SQL Server] Invalid object name
>dbo.MAIN. (#208)
>
>Interesting though is that if the user drops the e linked table and try to
>relink it the objects that appear are from the Master database.
>I verified the Group the users belong to have the correct default database
>set.
>I am at a loss and any help or hints to get me going in the right direction
>would be appreciated.
|||Mary,
I am confused regarding the stance on the usage of DAO... In an email to
another user it appears you do not favor the use of DAO...
(At this point in time, DAO 3.6 is truly ancient...), however, in this case
it appears preferred.
Is it OK for linking, but not OK to perform updates ? Just want to know the
difference.
Thanks
"Mary Chipman" <mchip@.online.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:s0oph0tv4tkue147148v4qccketajvdetj@.4ax.com... [vbcol=seagreen]
> It will work better for you if you ditched the DSNs and wrote VBA/DAO
> code to relink the tables. You can supply ODBC connection string
> information directly when the application loads, and delete the
> TableDef objects when the application closes. You supply a source
> table name, and the name of the link in the FE separately. This way
> you pick up any schema changes to the underlying tables, which
> invalidates old links. You can get the correct connection string from
> http://able-consulting.com/ADO_Conn.htm. I recommend using DAO for
> this instead of ADOX because there have been problems in the past with
> linked tables coming in read-only.
> --Mary
> On Thu, 12 Aug 2004 09:21:02 -0700, "T Man"
> <TMan@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
&[vbcol=seagreen]
error[vbcol=seagreen]
to[vbcol=seagreen]
database[vbcol=seagreen]
direction
>

Account Lockout on SQL2005

Hi Champs,
Is there a way to recover from a account lockout in SQL2005?
I cannot connect to "Database Engine" in "SQL Server Management Studio",
error: login failed...18456.
And I also cannot start the "SQL Server agent service"
Any possebility to recover without reinstall?
/Many thanksKurlan wrote:
> Hi Champs,
> Is there a way to recover from a account lockout in SQL2005?
> I cannot connect to "Database Engine" in "SQL Server Management Studio",
> error: login failed...18456.
> And I also cannot start the "SQL Server agent service"
> Any possebility to recover without reinstall?
>
> /Many thanks
Start from here
http://blogs.msdn.com/sql_protocols.../21/536201.aspx
Regards
Amish Shah|||Hi
If your issue is that a windows account has been locked contact the system
administrator to unlock it through the active directory user management
tools. If this is a SQL login then you can uncheck the account locked box on
the status screen under the account details of the security branch in SQL
Management Studio.
You don't give any error messages that come up when you try and start SQL
agent! If you are using a domain account as the service account, then try
switching to local system and see if it will start, you can then switch back
once you have validated that the account you are using is ok.
If this does not work check out the SQL Agent Log File to see if there are
any information there.
John
"Kurlan" wrote:

> Hi Champs,
> Is there a way to recover from a account lockout in SQL2005?
> I cannot connect to "Database Engine" in "SQL Server Management Studio",
> error: login failed...18456.
> And I also cannot start the "SQL Server agent service"
> Any possebility to recover without reinstall?
>
> /Many thanks|||Yes it is the SQL account.
I cannot access SQL Management Studio, so I cannot access the SQL accounts.
"John Bell" wrote:
[vbcol=seagreen]
> Hi
> If your issue is that a windows account has been locked contact the system
> administrator to unlock it through the active directory user management
> tools. If this is a SQL login then you can uncheck the account locked box
on
> the status screen under the account details of the security branch in SQL
> Management Studio.
> You don't give any error messages that come up when you try and start SQL
> agent! If you are using a domain account as the service account, then try
> switching to local system and see if it will start, you can then switch ba
ck
> once you have validated that the account you are using is ok.
> If this does not work check out the SQL Agent Log File to see if there are
> any information there.
> John
> "Kurlan" wrote:
>|||Hi
You can also use the T-SQL command ALTER LOGIN with the UNLOCK option when
setting the password.
John
"Kurlan" wrote:
[vbcol=seagreen]
> Yes it is the SQL account.
> I cannot access SQL Management Studio, so I cannot access the SQL accounts
.
>
> "John Bell" wrote:
>|||in order to run a t-sql, I have to have connection to either the management
consol or via sqlcmd, and I get access denied in both cases.
"John Bell" wrote:
[vbcol=seagreen]
> Hi
> You can also use the T-SQL command ALTER LOGIN with the UNLOCK option when
> setting the password.
> John
> "Kurlan" wrote:
>|||Kurlan wrote:[vbcol=seagreen]
> Yes it is the SQL account.
> I cannot access SQL Management Studio, so I cannot access the SQL accounts.[/vbcol
]
Why do you need Management Studio to change the service account?
Start -> Administrative Tools -> Services, go to the properties for the
MSSQLSERVICE, configure it to run as the Local System account.
Tracy McKibben
MCDBA
http://www.realsqlguy.com|||Hi
If you log in on the same machine as SQL Server is running as an
administrator you should be able to log in with a trusted connection (-E
option for SQLCMD or OSQL). You should also be able to log into management
studio this way. If not type in NET START at a command prompt to make sure
the SQL Server is running.
John
"Kurlan" wrote:
[vbcol=seagreen]
> in order to run a t-sql, I have to have connection to either the managemen
t
> consol or via sqlcmd, and I get access denied in both cases.
> "John Bell" wrote:
>

Account Lockout on SQL2005

Hi Champs,
Is there a way to recover from a account lockout in SQL2005?
I cannot connect to "Database Engine" in "SQL Server Management Studio",
error: login failed...18456.
And I also cannot start the "SQL Server agent service"
Any possebility to recover without reinstall?
/Many thanksKurlan wrote:
> Hi Champs,
> Is there a way to recover from a account lockout in SQL2005?
> I cannot connect to "Database Engine" in "SQL Server Management Studio",
> error: login failed...18456.
> And I also cannot start the "SQL Server agent service"
> Any possebility to recover without reinstall?
>
> /Many thanks
Start from here
http://blogs.msdn.com/sql_protocols/archive/2006/02/21/536201.aspx
Regards
Amish Shah|||Hi
If your issue is that a windows account has been locked contact the system
administrator to unlock it through the active directory user management
tools. If this is a SQL login then you can uncheck the account locked box on
the status screen under the account details of the security branch in SQL
Management Studio.
You don't give any error messages that come up when you try and start SQL
agent! If you are using a domain account as the service account, then try
switching to local system and see if it will start, you can then switch back
once you have validated that the account you are using is ok.
If this does not work check out the SQL Agent Log File to see if there are
any information there.
John
"Kurlan" wrote:
> Hi Champs,
> Is there a way to recover from a account lockout in SQL2005?
> I cannot connect to "Database Engine" in "SQL Server Management Studio",
> error: login failed...18456.
> And I also cannot start the "SQL Server agent service"
> Any possebility to recover without reinstall?
>
> /Many thanks|||Yes it is the SQL account.
I cannot access SQL Management Studio, so I cannot access the SQL accounts.
"John Bell" wrote:
> Hi
> If your issue is that a windows account has been locked contact the system
> administrator to unlock it through the active directory user management
> tools. If this is a SQL login then you can uncheck the account locked box on
> the status screen under the account details of the security branch in SQL
> Management Studio.
> You don't give any error messages that come up when you try and start SQL
> agent! If you are using a domain account as the service account, then try
> switching to local system and see if it will start, you can then switch back
> once you have validated that the account you are using is ok.
> If this does not work check out the SQL Agent Log File to see if there are
> any information there.
> John
> "Kurlan" wrote:
> > Hi Champs,
> > Is there a way to recover from a account lockout in SQL2005?
> > I cannot connect to "Database Engine" in "SQL Server Management Studio",
> > error: login failed...18456.
> >
> > And I also cannot start the "SQL Server agent service"
> >
> > Any possebility to recover without reinstall?
> >
> >
> > /Many thanks|||Hi
You can also use the T-SQL command ALTER LOGIN with the UNLOCK option when
setting the password.
John
"Kurlan" wrote:
> Yes it is the SQL account.
> I cannot access SQL Management Studio, so I cannot access the SQL accounts.
>
> "John Bell" wrote:
> > Hi
> >
> > If your issue is that a windows account has been locked contact the system
> > administrator to unlock it through the active directory user management
> > tools. If this is a SQL login then you can uncheck the account locked box on
> > the status screen under the account details of the security branch in SQL
> > Management Studio.
> >
> > You don't give any error messages that come up when you try and start SQL
> > agent! If you are using a domain account as the service account, then try
> > switching to local system and see if it will start, you can then switch back
> > once you have validated that the account you are using is ok.
> >
> > If this does not work check out the SQL Agent Log File to see if there are
> > any information there.
> >
> > John
> >
> > "Kurlan" wrote:
> >
> > > Hi Champs,
> > > Is there a way to recover from a account lockout in SQL2005?
> > > I cannot connect to "Database Engine" in "SQL Server Management Studio",
> > > error: login failed...18456.
> > >
> > > And I also cannot start the "SQL Server agent service"
> > >
> > > Any possebility to recover without reinstall?
> > >
> > >
> > > /Many thanks|||in order to run a t-sql, I have to have connection to either the management
consol or via sqlcmd, and I get access denied in both cases.
"John Bell" wrote:
> Hi
> You can also use the T-SQL command ALTER LOGIN with the UNLOCK option when
> setting the password.
> John
> "Kurlan" wrote:
> > Yes it is the SQL account.
> >
> > I cannot access SQL Management Studio, so I cannot access the SQL accounts.
> >
> >
> > "John Bell" wrote:
> >
> > > Hi
> > >
> > > If your issue is that a windows account has been locked contact the system
> > > administrator to unlock it through the active directory user management
> > > tools. If this is a SQL login then you can uncheck the account locked box on
> > > the status screen under the account details of the security branch in SQL
> > > Management Studio.
> > >
> > > You don't give any error messages that come up when you try and start SQL
> > > agent! If you are using a domain account as the service account, then try
> > > switching to local system and see if it will start, you can then switch back
> > > once you have validated that the account you are using is ok.
> > >
> > > If this does not work check out the SQL Agent Log File to see if there are
> > > any information there.
> > >
> > > John
> > >
> > > "Kurlan" wrote:
> > >
> > > > Hi Champs,
> > > > Is there a way to recover from a account lockout in SQL2005?
> > > > I cannot connect to "Database Engine" in "SQL Server Management Studio",
> > > > error: login failed...18456.
> > > >
> > > > And I also cannot start the "SQL Server agent service"
> > > >
> > > > Any possebility to recover without reinstall?
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > /Many thanks|||Kurlan wrote:
> Yes it is the SQL account.
> I cannot access SQL Management Studio, so I cannot access the SQL accounts.
Why do you need Management Studio to change the service account?
Start -> Administrative Tools -> Services, go to the properties for the
MSSQLSERVICE, configure it to run as the Local System account.
--
Tracy McKibben
MCDBA
http://www.realsqlguy.com|||Hi
If you log in on the same machine as SQL Server is running as an
administrator you should be able to log in with a trusted connection (-E
option for SQLCMD or OSQL). You should also be able to log into management
studio this way. If not type in NET START at a command prompt to make sure
the SQL Server is running.
John
"Kurlan" wrote:
> in order to run a t-sql, I have to have connection to either the management
> consol or via sqlcmd, and I get access denied in both cases.
> "John Bell" wrote:
> > Hi
> >
> > You can also use the T-SQL command ALTER LOGIN with the UNLOCK option when
> > setting the password.
> >
> > John
> >
> > "Kurlan" wrote:
> >
> > > Yes it is the SQL account.
> > >
> > > I cannot access SQL Management Studio, so I cannot access the SQL accounts.
> > >
> > >
> > > "John Bell" wrote:
> > >
> > > > Hi
> > > >
> > > > If your issue is that a windows account has been locked contact the system
> > > > administrator to unlock it through the active directory user management
> > > > tools. If this is a SQL login then you can uncheck the account locked box on
> > > > the status screen under the account details of the security branch in SQL
> > > > Management Studio.
> > > >
> > > > You don't give any error messages that come up when you try and start SQL
> > > > agent! If you are using a domain account as the service account, then try
> > > > switching to local system and see if it will start, you can then switch back
> > > > once you have validated that the account you are using is ok.
> > > >
> > > > If this does not work check out the SQL Agent Log File to see if there are
> > > > any information there.
> > > >
> > > > John
> > > >
> > > > "Kurlan" wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > Hi Champs,
> > > > > Is there a way to recover from a account lockout in SQL2005?
> > > > > I cannot connect to "Database Engine" in "SQL Server Management Studio",
> > > > > error: login failed...18456.
> > > > >
> > > > > And I also cannot start the "SQL Server agent service"
> > > > >
> > > > > Any possebility to recover without reinstall?
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > /Many thanks

Account lock outs

I have 50 users connecting to SQL server via ODBC using
TCP/IP to connect. But 2 of the users accounts keep on
having their windows accounts locked out.
Any suggestions?Turn on Windows auditing, maybe even SQL auditing as well. Have your users
log off and back on their computers and watch both security logs. NT
authentication for SQL doesn't ask for a password when connecting, it just
checks your Windows credentials. Are they mapping network drives before
connecting to SQL? Maybe the password credentials there are bad. You might
want to tell them to disconnect any network drives and remap them. Do a net
use as well and check for persistent connections.
****************************************
***************************
Andy S.
MCSE NT/2000, MCDBA SQL 7/2000
andymcdba1@.NOMORESPAM.yahoo.com
Please remove NOMORESPAM before replying.
Always keep your antivirus and Microsoft software
up to date with the latest definitions and product updates.
Be suspicious of every email attachment, I will never send
or post anything other than the text of a http:// link nor
post the link directly to a file for downloading.
This posting is provided "as is" with no warranties
and confers no rights.
****************************************
***************************
"Marcus" <anonymous@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:26ee01c3e18d$626c7820$a101280a@.phx.gbl...

quote:

---

> I have 50 users connecting to SQL server via ODBC using
> TCP/IP to connect. But 2 of the users accounts keep on
> having their windows accounts locked out.
> Any suggestions?

---

Accessing table to different server

Hi all,
Is there a way to connect to a table which resides in a different server in
the same network? What I am trying to do is to have a union function
between 2 tables, 1 table in SQL Server A, and the other in SQL Server B.
Thanks in advance.
Sol
You have to create a link to the other server and then do the join through
the link.
"Sol" <ssantoso@.eulogix.com> wrote in message
news:uqqgvBy$EHA.3840@.tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> Hi all,
> Is there a way to connect to a table which resides in a different server
> in
> the same network? What I am trying to do is to have a union function
> between 2 tables, 1 table in SQL Server A, and the other in SQL Server B.
> Thanks in advance.
> Sol
>

Accessing table to different server

Hi all,
Is there a way to connect to a table which resides in a different server in
the same network? What I am trying to do is to have a union function
between 2 tables, 1 table in SQL Server A, and the other in SQL Server B.
Thanks in advance.
SolYou have to create a link to the other server and then do the join through
the link.
"Sol" <ssantoso@.eulogix.com> wrote in message
news:uqqgvBy$EHA.3840@.tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> Hi all,
> Is there a way to connect to a table which resides in a different server
> in
> the same network? What I am trying to do is to have a union function
> between 2 tables, 1 table in SQL Server A, and the other in SQL Server B.
> Thanks in advance.
> Sol
>

Accessing table to different server

Hi all,
Is there a way to connect to a table which resides in a different server in
the same network? What I am trying to do is to have a union function
between 2 tables, 1 table in SQL Server A, and the other in SQL Server B.
Thanks in advance.
SolYou have to create a link to the other server and then do the join through
the link.
"Sol" <ssantoso@.eulogix.com> wrote in message
news:uqqgvBy$EHA.3840@.tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> Hi all,
> Is there a way to connect to a table which resides in a different server
> in
> the same network? What I am trying to do is to have a union function
> between 2 tables, 1 table in SQL Server A, and the other in SQL Server B.
> Thanks in advance.
> Sol
>

Accessing SQL2K on the net from local pc

Hi, i'm new to SQL2K. I see in my connect string (ASP) a IP-address. I can
choose between a public or a internal IP.
If i use the public IP, where can i find examples on how to query the
database from a local pc in a Visual Basic 6 program ? Or is this not
possible?
Grard.Hi
You should consult your network administrator for the correct IP address to
use. It is quite possible that there are several NICs on the database and we
b
servers.
John
"Gérard Leclercq" wrote:

> Hi, i'm new to SQL2K. I see in my connect string (ASP) a IP-address. I can
> choose between a public or a internal IP.
> If i use the public IP, where can i find examples on how to query the
> database from a local pc in a Visual Basic 6 program ? Or is this not
> possible?
> Gérard.
>
>|||I ask if its possible, not which IP to use. And if its possible, some
examples.
Grad.|||Hi
If you are looking for example connection string try
http://www.connectionstrings.com/ or
http://www.carlprothman.net/Default.aspx?tabid=81
John
"Gérard Leclercq" wrote:

> I ask if its possible, not which IP to use. And if its possible, some
> examples.
> Gérad.
>
>

Accessing SQL server on intranet using VB.NET

How can I connect to SQL server on intranet using VB.NET??
I am unable to do that using system DSN.
can anyone tell how to do that either through DSN or anyother way.Many examples are included in the VB.NET documentation. Can you find one of them that is close to what you want, and tell us what else you need it to do?

-PatP|||You're probably forgetting the RDOConnection bridge. Well, maybe not. Look at www.connectionstrings.com and see if your connection string is right. Also, if this is VS.NET, why are you using DSNs??

Accessing SQL Server from AIX

I was wondering if it was possible (although not likely for our uses) to
connect to a SQL Server data souce from AIX, and if there was a SQL Client
for AIX?Hi
DataDirect have support for SQL Server via 64 bit ODBC on IBM AIX 5L (5.1
and 5.2)
http://www.datadirect.com/products/odbc64/overview/index.ssp
--
--
Mike Epprecht, Microsoft SQL Server MVP
Zurich, Switzerland
IM: mike@.epprecht.net
MVP Program: http://www.microsoft.com/mvp
Blog: http://www.msmvps.com/epprecht/
"Neall" <Neall@.discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:6F8CDEBB-B422-44AC-9097-93C5D0739512@.microsoft.com...
>I was wondering if it was possible (although not likely for our uses) to
> connect to a SQL Server data souce from AIX, and if there was a SQL Client
> for AIX?

accessing SQL Server Compact Edition from VBA

Is it possible to connect to SQL Server Compact Edition with Visual Basic for Application?

I want to connect to *.sdf file from MS Access.

I suppose you can do it using OLEDB if VBA allows you to use COM objects (which you should know better as I've never used VBA).

|||

Thanks. I also suspected that, just was not sure is there OLEDB provider version for desktops, and how to access it. Just foud that information in one of the mahdi posts

Dim cnx As ADODB.Connection
Set cnx = New ADODB.Connection
cnx.ConnectionString = "Provider='Microsoft.SQLSERVER.MOBILE.OLEDB.3.0.';Data Source='c:\\B.sdf';"
cnx.Open

Accessing SQL Server 2000 with ASP.NET

Hi Everyone,

I just started using ASP.NET and I cannot figure out how to use a connection string to connect to a SQL Server database using ASP.NET. I want to use Windows Authentication to bring up a database called upsizedCandidate on a server called SQLSERVER and display a table within that database through internet explorer. I'm not sure if I should be using OLE DB or ODBC. Can anyone help me with this? Thanks in advance!

There is an easy way to set this up.

1. Create a new webForm.

2. Go to view -> Database Explorer.

3.In the new window, make a new connection to your database. Fill in the relevant parts.

4. In the Database explorer, find a table/view that you wish to display.

5. Drag and drop the view/table onto the page. This will setup everything for you. Then you can edit the sqlDataSource and Gridview/Datagrid accordingly.

HTH

Jag

|||

toddw607:

I cannot figure out how to use a connectionstring to connect to a SQL Server database using ASP.NET. I want to useWindows Authentication to bring up a database calledupsizedCandidate on a server called SQLSERVER

Data Source=SQLSERVER;Initial Catalog=upsizedCandidate;Integrated Security=SSPI;

remember whenever you stuck with connection string go to http://www.connectionstrings.com/ really helpfull stuff.

toddw607:

I'm not sure if I should be using OLE DB or ODBC. Can anyone help me with this? Thanks in advance!

look,It depends on what database are you using, if you are using Sql ServerI would recommend you to use SQLClient namespace of .netframework, if you find specific driver for database always usethat at prior level, other wise go for oledb or odbc.

cheers

|||

Hi Jag,

Thanks for the quick response! I did what you instructed to do but when I try to bring it up in the browser it gives me the following error:

The connection name 'upsizedCandidateConnectionString1' was not found in the applications configuration or the connection string is empty.

Here is my code:

<%@.PageLanguage="VB" %>

<!

DOCTYPEhtmlPUBLIC"-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN""http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd">

<

scriptrunat="server">

</

script>

<

htmlxmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<

headrunat="server"><title>Untitled Page</title>

</

head>

<

body><formid="form1"runat="server"><div><tableborder="1"class="ex"width="100%"><tr><td><pre>

<asp:GridViewID="GridView1"runat="server"AutoGenerateColumns="False"DataSourceID="SqlDataSource1"EmptyDataText="There are no data records to display."><Columns><asp:BoundFieldDataField="myNewCol1"HeaderText="myNewCol1"SortExpression="myNewCol1"/><asp:BoundFieldDataField="myNewCol2"HeaderText="myNewCol2"SortExpression="myNewCol2"/></Columns>

</

asp:GridView><asp:SqlDataSourceID="SqlDataSource1"runat="server"ConnectionString="<%$ ConnectionStrings:upsizedCandidateConnectionString1 %>"ProviderName="<%$ ConnectionStrings:upsizedCandidateConnectionString1.ProviderName %>"SelectCommand="SELECT [myNewCol1], [myNewCol2] FROM [ToddsTable1]"></asp:SqlDataSource></pre></td></tr></table>

</div></form>

</

body>

</

html>

Any thoughts? Thanks again!

|||

When I drag the table over another form is created called <web.config> which has my connection string in it but is not referenced from my code. Any thoughts?

|||I just put the provider name

ProviderName

="<%System.Data.SqlClient%>"and connection string

ConnectionString

="<%Data Source=SQLSERVER;Initial Catalog=upsizedCandidate;Integrated Security=True%>"

into my code and now I'm getting a different error:

Unable to find the requested .Net Framework Data Provider. It may not be installed.

Any thoughts?

|||

When you drag and drop the table, visual studio automaticallycreates a connection string in a file called web.config. This is thesafest location for a connection string. It then creates ansqldatasource that is used to connect to the database, and a gridviewto display the data.

The sqldatasource should be referencing the connection string. Have a look in the web.config file and get the name of the connection string. Then have a look at the properties of the sqldatasource to see where you are meant to put this. I don't have Visual Studio 2005 installed on the computer I am using at the moment, so I cannot tell you the exact property to look for.

Here is a page that should have everything you are looking for if you get stuck. It should not be hard though - just try deleting everything and dragging and dropping again.

Let us know how you get on.

Jag

|||Thanks for all the info! I dled all the ASP.NET gridview examples and saw how everything worked. I set it up like the examples and the main page works fine now when I access it through the server but I have one more problem: I have tables coming out through SQL Server 2000 and when I try to bring them up through the main page it gives me the 404 error. I have the web.Config file stored properly so that the main page can access it but I think I need another one stored else where so when I call the tables from the main page they will automatically retrieve from SQL Server. Any thoughts on the placement or if it could be another problem? Thanks.|||I forgot one more thing which may help...I have the pages saved which the tables are stored in from SQL Server 2000. All the main page does is reference the saved pages and is supposed to bring them up in Internet Explorer like the main pages does. These pages work fine if I go into my folder on the server and bring them up in VB and right click to "View in Browser", they come up in IE but but I attempt to bring them up by reference it gives me the 404 error in IE. I hate to be repetitive with some of the info but I wanted my problem to be as clear as possible before you read the whoel thing. Thanks again!

Accessing Reports via URL

I have configured my report server. I can connect to it via Management
Studio and via http://localhost/reports however when I try to connect via
http://servername/reports I get a Windows style password box. What user is
it expecting? Regards, Chris.Ignore me it seems to be working now
"Fresno Bob" <nospam@.nospam.com> wrote in message
news:u7VfBfz7HHA.2476@.TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>I have configured my report server. I can connect to it via Management
>Studio and via http://localhost/reports however when I try to connect via
>http://servername/reports I get a Windows style password box. What user is
>it expecting? Regards, Chris.
>

Accessing named instance remotely

I've got an instance of SQL server running on my website. I have port
1433 open and I can connect to it via enterprise manager across the
internet just by using the domain name in the server name box.
I recently installed SQL 2K5 beta 2 on the same box and gave it a
different name. I should be able to connect to it using
domainname\instancename correct? For some reason I can't connect to
it. I guess I don't know whether this is something particular to 2K5
or not, or do I need to do something specific for any named instance?
That should be enough, assuming you have TCP/IP enabled. If nothing in
http://www.aspfaq.com/sql2005/show.asp?id=3 helps, please post to the SQL
Server 2005 newsgroups. (See http://www.aspfaq.com/sql2005/show.asp?id=1)
http://www.aspfaq.com/
(Reverse address to reply.)
<erithtotl@.gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1106075082.815158.287290@.z14g2000cwz.googlegr oups.com...
> I've got an instance of SQL server running on my website. I have port
> 1433 open and I can connect to it via enterprise manager across the
> internet just by using the domain name in the server name box.
> I recently installed SQL 2K5 beta 2 on the same box and gave it a
> different name. I should be able to connect to it using
> domainname\instancename correct? For some reason I can't connect to
> it. I guess I don't know whether this is something particular to 2K5
> or not, or do I need to do something specific for any named instance?
>
|||You will have to specify a PORT NUMBER unless you also have UDP PORT 1434
opened on your firewall.
If you also have dynamic defined, which would not be recommended in your
configuration, you may have to open up several inbound ports to cover those
that SQL Server may use.
You would be better off blocking inbound UDP 1434, configuring your named
instance to use a specific port, say 1533, and then also open up inbound TCP
1533.
Out of curiosity, why would you expose a SQL Server installation to the
public network?
Sincerely,
Anthony Thomas

"Aaron [SQL Server MVP]" <ten.xoc@.dnartreb.noraa> wrote in message
news:%23AZc8EZ$EHA.2568@.TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
That should be enough, assuming you have TCP/IP enabled. If nothing in
http://www.aspfaq.com/sql2005/show.asp?id=3 helps, please post to the SQL
Server 2005 newsgroups. (See http://www.aspfaq.com/sql2005/show.asp?id=1)
http://www.aspfaq.com/
(Reverse address to reply.)
<erithtotl@.gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1106075082.815158.287290@.z14g2000cwz.googlegr oups.com...
> I've got an instance of SQL server running on my website. I have port
> 1433 open and I can connect to it via enterprise manager across the
> internet just by using the domain name in the server name box.
> I recently installed SQL 2K5 beta 2 on the same box and gave it a
> different name. I should be able to connect to it using
> domainname\instancename correct? For some reason I can't connect to
> it. I guess I don't know whether this is something particular to 2K5
> or not, or do I need to do something specific for any named instance?
>

Accessing named instance remotely

I've got an instance of SQL server running on my website. I have port
1433 open and I can connect to it via enterprise manager across the
internet just by using the domain name in the server name box.
I recently installed SQL 2K5 beta 2 on the same box and gave it a
different name. I should be able to connect to it using
domainname\instancename correct? For some reason I can't connect to
it. I guess I don't know whether this is something particular to 2K5
or not, or do I need to do something specific for any named instance?That should be enough, assuming you have TCP/IP enabled. If nothing in
http://www.aspfaq.com/sql2005/show.asp?id=3 helps, please post to the SQL
Server 2005 newsgroups. (See http://www.aspfaq.com/sql2005/show.asp?id=1)
--
http://www.aspfaq.com/
(Reverse address to reply.)
<erithtotl@.gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1106075082.815158.287290@.z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
> I've got an instance of SQL server running on my website. I have port
> 1433 open and I can connect to it via enterprise manager across the
> internet just by using the domain name in the server name box.
> I recently installed SQL 2K5 beta 2 on the same box and gave it a
> different name. I should be able to connect to it using
> domainname\instancename correct? For some reason I can't connect to
> it. I guess I don't know whether this is something particular to 2K5
> or not, or do I need to do something specific for any named instance?
>|||You will have to specify a PORT NUMBER unless you also have UDP PORT 1434
opened on your firewall.
If you also have dynamic defined, which would not be recommended in your
configuration, you may have to open up several inbound ports to cover those
that SQL Server may use.
You would be better off blocking inbound UDP 1434, configuring your named
instance to use a specific port, say 1533, and then also open up inbound TCP
1533.
Out of curiosity, why would you expose a SQL Server installation to the
public network?
Sincerely,
Anthony Thomas
"Aaron [SQL Server MVP]" <ten.xoc@.dnartreb.noraa> wrote in message
news:%23AZc8EZ$EHA.2568@.TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
That should be enough, assuming you have TCP/IP enabled. If nothing in
http://www.aspfaq.com/sql2005/show.asp?id=3 helps, please post to the SQL
Server 2005 newsgroups. (See http://www.aspfaq.com/sql2005/show.asp?id=1)
--
http://www.aspfaq.com/
(Reverse address to reply.)
<erithtotl@.gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1106075082.815158.287290@.z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
> I've got an instance of SQL server running on my website. I have port
> 1433 open and I can connect to it via enterprise manager across the
> internet just by using the domain name in the server name box.
> I recently installed SQL 2K5 beta 2 on the same box and gave it a
> different name. I should be able to connect to it using
> domainname\instancename correct? For some reason I can't connect to
> it. I guess I don't know whether this is something particular to 2K5
> or not, or do I need to do something specific for any named instance?
>

Accessing named instance remotely

I've got an instance of SQL server running on my website. I have port
1433 open and I can connect to it via enterprise manager across the
internet just by using the domain name in the server name box.
I recently installed SQL 2K5 beta 2 on the same box and gave it a
different name. I should be able to connect to it using
domainname\instancename correct? For some reason I can't connect to
it. I guess I don't know whether this is something particular to 2K5
or not, or do I need to do something specific for any named instance?That should be enough, assuming you have TCP/IP enabled. If nothing in
http://www.aspfaq.com/sql2005/show.asp?id=3 helps, please post to the SQL
Server 2005 newsgroups. (See http://www.aspfaq.com/sql2005/show.asp?id=1)
http://www.aspfaq.com/
(Reverse address to reply.)
<erithtotl@.gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1106075082.815158.287290@.z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
> I've got an instance of SQL server running on my website. I have port
> 1433 open and I can connect to it via enterprise manager across the
> internet just by using the domain name in the server name box.
> I recently installed SQL 2K5 beta 2 on the same box and gave it a
> different name. I should be able to connect to it using
> domainname\instancename correct? For some reason I can't connect to
> it. I guess I don't know whether this is something particular to 2K5
> or not, or do I need to do something specific for any named instance?
>|||You will have to specify a PORT NUMBER unless you also have UDP PORT 1434
opened on your firewall.
If you also have dynamic defined, which would not be recommended in your
configuration, you may have to open up several inbound ports to cover those
that SQL Server may use.
You would be better off blocking inbound UDP 1434, configuring your named
instance to use a specific port, say 1533, and then also open up inbound TCP
1533.
Out of curiosity, why would you expose a SQL Server installation to the
public network?
Sincerely,
Anthony Thomas
"Aaron [SQL Server MVP]" <ten.xoc@.dnartreb.noraa> wrote in message
news:%23AZc8EZ$EHA.2568@.TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
That should be enough, assuming you have TCP/IP enabled. If nothing in
http://www.aspfaq.com/sql2005/show.asp?id=3 helps, please post to the SQL
Server 2005 newsgroups. (See http://www.aspfaq.com/sql2005/show.asp?id=1)
http://www.aspfaq.com/
(Reverse address to reply.)
<erithtotl@.gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1106075082.815158.287290@.z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
> I've got an instance of SQL server running on my website. I have port
> 1433 open and I can connect to it via enterprise manager across the
> internet just by using the domain name in the server name box.
> I recently installed SQL 2K5 beta 2 on the same box and gave it a
> different name. I should be able to connect to it using
> domainname\instancename correct? For some reason I can't connect to
> it. I guess I don't know whether this is something particular to 2K5
> or not, or do I need to do something specific for any named instance?
>

Accessing MS SQL DB on own server?

Hi

If my site is hosted with an external company web host can I use ASP.NET pages to connect to a MS SQL DB that is on my company's internal server if I had MS SQL installed on it?

My company's server is always on and always connected to the internet.

I have access to my company's server if I need to set anything up on it for this to happen.

There will not be any kind of overload as the site is not accessed constantly.

Also, would this cause any kind of security leak? If so how would I go about plugging this hole?

Our server does have confidential info on it.

Cheers

kefi2927Since you haven't received a reply I'll post my thoughts. As someone who knows little about networking and security I personally would not do this, although it would be possible. Exposing a server to the internet is not something to be taken lightly, and will require diligence in keeping up with patches and security issues.

My 2 cents,
Terri

Accessing Mobile SQL Databases in VB2005 - Windows Apps

I have both used the Data Connection Wizard and tried programatically to
connect to a Mobile SQL Database from within a Windows Application and keep
on getting the same Error at the connection point

"Unspecified error [ sqlcese30.sys.dll ]"
The Debug message is

" A first chance exception of type 'System.Data.SqlServerCe.SqlCeException'
occurred in System.Data.SqlServerCe.dll"

I have added a reference to
C:\ Program files\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\Common7\IDE\Public
assemblies\System.Data.SqlServer.Ce.dll.

I need to access the data from the pocket pc on a desktop computer. Is this
possible under VS2005 using VB or do I in actual fact need to purchase SQL
Server 2005 (not acceptable !!!) to achieve this. It was easy in VB6 using ActiveSync to move from cdb to mdb but there seems to be no such converter for sdf to mdf and no apparent ability to open sdf from within Windows Apps.

On reading the posts in this forum this topic seems to be a familiar problem
- access to SQL data between window apps and mobile apps.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Regards
David

Code enclosed

Dim FileSpec As String = "Data Source = C:\Program Files\Microsoft
Visual Studio 8\SmartDevices\SDK\SQL Server\Mobile\v3.0\Northwind.sdf"
Dim MyConnection As New SqlServerCe.SqlCeConnection(FileSpec)
MyConnection.Open()
Dim da As New SqlServerCe.SqlCeDataAdapter("SELECT * FROM Orders",
MyConnection)
Dim ds As DataSet = New DataSet
da.Fill(ds, "Orders")

David,

The second half or so of this thread:
http://forums.microsoft.com/MSDN/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=19879&SiteID=1

addresses this question.

Remember, you cannot use SQL Mobile in a WinForms app unless it is running on Windows XP Tablet PC Edition.

-Darren|||

Darren

Thanks for your prompt reply. A couple of comments which I invite you to respond to.

I have been programming using Microsoft products for 32 years but held off converting to .Net because it was too complicated. VB6 served my requirements well. Now I find that a simple task such as connecting a desktop application to a mobile device database is not available without purchasing SQL Server.

Whats going on?

Even if you had an export facility in mobile development. My understanding is that you cannot write sequential files (eg csv) in mobile application development.

I have spent 2 weeks on various programming forums searching for an answer including MS forums. Nobody had one because the answer as I now understand is NO!!! If you purchase VS 2005 to develop mobile database applications you cannot maintain them on your desktop application (unless you additionally purchase SQL Server at $3700 +). On looking at your reply and the link it is very obvious that there is no license to supply a desktop application to manipulate an SDF file within VS 2005.

In making this post you must understand that I am very disappointed in Microsoft for 2 reasons

1. It appears that the company is very elusive about help in achieving the solution to Mobile Data Access on desktop. Just look at the various forums with similar questions.

2. How could you sell VS2005 as a solution for Mobile device development but not include support for access to Mobile SQL (except on mobile devices). There's not even an option to develop in Mobile Access (CDB). At least Activesync converted these to MDB. Where's the conversion from SDF to MDF?

Please shoot me down in flames if my assumptions are incorrect and accept my apologies in advance.

I invite others to comment on my post also.

Regards
David

|||Darren

I have tried the workaround (non licenced) that was described in the link and copied the files into the application \bin directory and added the reference before setting the data source and still have the same errors as described in my first post.

David|||I've also been looking forward to a solution on this limitation for about 2 weeks too. For now, I have to use the Pocket PC device to rebuild my databases by code to SDF files and it takes hours for 100,000 records.

Looks like there won't be any solution/alternative anytime soon.|||Dave,

A few comments on your post -

"Connecting a desktop application to a mobile device database is not available without purchasing SQL Server" - not true, you can access SQL Mobile databases from C# or VB.NET WinForms apps, but only on TabletPC due to licensing restrictions.

At the MVP Summit in Sept, myself and about six other .NET CF MVPs escalated that this limitation in licensing (TabletPC only) should be reconsidered for a variety of reasons. Mainly that the whole concept of Smart Clients is sterile without off-line relational data caching. SQL Express is hard to deploy to smart clients and setting up any kind of replication is non-trivial and requires deep expertise in RMO programming (while I can replicate a SQL Mobile database with 9 lines of code!).
Microsoft listened and is seriously considering the (spirited) feedback we provided.

So we are working with Microsoft to extend the licensed "reach" of SQL Mobile.

"How could you sell VS2005 as a solution for Mobile device development but not include support for access to SQL Mobile?" - VS2005 has incredbile integration with SQL Mobile and you can build a managed Compact Framework data-driven application that leverages SQL Mobile without ever leaving VS2005. In fact, the process is identical to developing against any other ADO.NET datasource. If you ever had to build a CF app using SQL CE with VS2003, you would be delighted with the new integration with SQL Mobile we now have in VS2005.

My intention here is not to debate anything with you. I want to help you understand that while you may not have the code working at this point, it is entirely possible to have a .NET WinForms app work with SQL Mobile on TabletPC. I'm not entirely clear on why you need this - I build a *LOT* of CF apps for clients that include SQL CE and SQL Mobile and have never had a need to work with the .sdf file from a desktop app. If you are trying to find an effective way to load the initial database with data, my recent webcast shows how to do that using nothing but SQL Server 2005 Management Studio. You can also write a very simple CSV loader in your CF app that loads your initial database from CSV files on device (and yes, you can read and write sequential files within a CF application - System.IO provides the classes to accomplish this).

Help me understand what you are trying to get done at a higher level and maybe we can get you there a little faster. Mobile development always has it's special challenges and frustrations, but one of the great things about the Windows Mobile world is that someone has almost certainly solved whatever problem you're up against.

Thanks,
Darren|||

Thanks for your reply Darren.

My requirements are simple.

The handheld is used for maintaining a transactional database eg. an invoicing app. and the master files are maintained on the desktop. eg. clients, products, G/L accounts.

What is the simple solution? I'm still searching for the way to post the transactional file to the desktop. What use is giving functionality to a tablet PC only? From my continued research, there is no help from Microsoft in creating an export file on the handheld. I shouldn't need to purchase SQL Server for such a basic function.

Regards

David

|||

David,

So chances are the database on your device needs to have a copy of some subset of the master files on your server. Since you mentioned not wanting to purchase SQL Server, I'll assume these master files are either in another relational database or in file format. You also need a way to move transactions that you capture on device in the field from the device to the server.

So your options for moving the data from device to server are:

1. (Requires IIS and SQL Server) - Remote Data Access

2. (Requires IIS and SQL Server) - Merge Replication

3. (Requires IIS) - Web Services - very easy with the .NET Compact Framework

4. Write your data out to a file (this is very easy - not sure what you mean when you say Microsoft cannot provide you with samples - I'll be happy to) and manually move the file from device to server with either a tethered or wireless Activesync connection. You can also manually move the file to a network share independent of ActiveSync using a wired or wireless ethernet connection.

5. Use socket communications as illustrated in the IBuySpyStore sample SQL CE app available on MSDN.

6. Write a custom ActiveSync provider that knows how to pick up your data file from device and move it to some folder on the server. From here, a .NET Service (using a directory watcher) picks up the file and posts it to your server-side data repository

So there are a variety of options available. If you need a code sample of taking data from SQL CE or SQL Mobile and writing it to a file, let me know. Very easy using System.IO in the Compact Framework.

Your options for moving the reference data from the server to device are the same with the addition of simply deploying your CF app with the SQLCE/SQLMobile .sdf file included as Content in the project. Effectively you are deploying a "starter" database. It is typical to deploy the app with a starter set of reference data in the database and then use the techniques above to keep that reference data up to date over time.

-Darren

|||

Hi Darren

All I need is how to get the data into files which are both readable on the desktop and mobile device since VS Net 2005 does not support SDF on destop nor does it support MDF on smart device.

No providers, no socket communications, no active sync, no IIS, no MS Server just a common file format (eg. sequential text files). How difficult is that?

Regards

David

|||

Dave,

Here's an example of writing out the contents of a dataset to a CSV file on device. You can fill your dataset with the contents of a table in SQL Mobile using a SqlCeDataAdapter. Executing this in reverse on the server side to post the data to an RBMS is trivial. This example assumes you do not need any self-description of the data to process it on the server - in that case you can use XML instead.

-Darren

using System.IO;

private void _serializeDataSet()
{
// TODO - exception handling
string dataFileName = Globals.GetInstance().DataFilePathAndName;

StreamWriter sw = new StreamWriter(dataFileName, false);
string line = string.Empty;
foreach (DataRow dr in DSDemoRecords.Tables[0].Rows)
{
for (int i = 0; i < dr.ItemArray.Length; i++)
{
line += _safeString(dr.ToString());
if (i < dr.ItemArray.Length - 1)
line += ",";
}

sw.WriteLine(line);
line = string.Empty;
}
sw.Close();
}

private string _safeString(string s)
{
string retVal = s;

if (s.IndexOf(",") > -1)
retVal = s.Replace(",", "");

return retVal;
}

|||

Hi Darren

I can't understand your code. I presume it was written in C#. Anyway, I'll look up the system.io object in VB2005 help.

My point is that it is ridiculous that you have to resort to sequential text files to manage Mobile SQL data on the desktop.

No. I don't wish to purchase SQL Server Full Edition.

No. I don't own a tablet PC.

Just llook at the various forums and you will see the frustration level at what Microsoft has done by removing support for basic access to mobile data on the desktop.

Regards

David

|||

David,

I have been just as frustrated as you.....did you ever get a solution?

Please post!!!

|||

Sorry,

I hadn't looked at this forum for a while. I'd given up in disgust at Microsoft's attitude regarding access for Windows Apps.

Since I don't own SQL Server Full or a Tablet PC, the work around I am using is exporting to CSV in the Pocket PC and importing from CSV in the Windows App.

Regards

David

|||

Darren,

I'm quite interested in your efforts to escalate the issue of the restrictive SQL Mobile licensing, but for a different reason. My reason is at odds with your statement that you "have never had a need to work with the .sdf file from a desktop app."

I have an ASP.NET server product that runs atop SQL Server 2005 (Express and Standard). Typically, 20-30 Windows Mobile (CF2.0) devices connect to my server via web services in order to download large volumes of data and store it in SQL Mobile. The volume of data results in .sdf file sizes that are ~15-18MB in size. Sync times of over an hour are common, and this an intense thorn in my side. When this performance is analyzed, it's quickly becomes clear that the critical path is SQL Mobile's insert performance. I simply need a way to get data into SQL Mobile faster. To this end, I currently use a product from Fitiri Software that is SQL Mobile equivalent of BCP - it bypasses the database engine to load data into the .sdf quickly.

With the release of SQL Mobile, I thought that my troubles would be over; I thought I could use the server's considerable resources to create/load an .sdf file and then copy that file to the mobile device where it would be used. I am theorizing that ther server could accomplish this in a fraction of the time that it takes on the mobile side. I was disappointed to learn that licensing terms forbid me from adding that feature to my server. I understand Microsoft's motive to restrict SQL Mobile usage; they don't want it to be "abused" as a free database in desktop apps. I feel, however, that my proposed usage does not violate the intent of Microsoft's licensing terms: The .sdf file will built by the server but will be read/consumed only in a WinCE-based environment.

Thus I end up quite interested in your efforts to adjust the SQL Mobile licensing terms, though I arrived by a different road. For what it's worth, I am a Certified Partner and an ISV Success Story, and I would like to know how I can participate or at least be informed of Microsoft's responses and intentions in this area.

Kind regards,

Ken

|||

Ken,

Good timing on your note - I have some answers for you and everyone else who is strugging with this issue of working with SQL Mobile on the desktop.

First, I received clarification from Microsoft yesterday of the specific situations in which you may work with SQL Mobile on the desktop, and the good news is that there are some non-TabletPC scenarios included in this that I was not aware of. Here is the clarification from Microsoft exactly as I received it:

"Remember, there are two exceptions to the current SQL Mobile rule on Win32.

If VS is installed - the developer can use a non TabletPC platform to develop their application

If SQL is installed - the production app requires pre-building .sdf files for route delivery type systems.

The files are created on the server and each morning they are copied to each device.

You can even create a Windows Service to run in the midst of the night to pre build the files,

place them on a file share."

So let me frame this for you - I was explaining to Microsoft that there are many mobile problem domains where the model is to create a workingset of data, place it on a mobile device, work with it throughout the day, upload changes, and repeat. Delivery drivers, baggage handlers, field service inspectors, fixed asset tracking, etc all involve this model. So there are a number of you who want/need to generate a SQL Mobile database on your server/Windows PC that can later be moved to Windows Mobile devices, and then you need to move those .SDF files back to the server/PC to upload changes to a back-end database. An offline batch data collection mindset that has been around since DOS-based Telxons.

What the clarification above boils down to is this: Microsoft permits you to work with SQL Mobile databases from any sort of application (WinForms 2.0, ASP.NET, a Windows Service, a Web Service, SS2005 DTS Package, etc) on a Win32 machine AS LONG AS THERE IS A LICENSED COPY OF VISUAL STUDIO 2005 OR SQL SERVER 2005 on that machine. While this is not the end-goal we want, it certainly improves on the Tablet PC - only answer we've had in the past.

Additionally, while I cannot share much about this yet - Microsoft did listen to the feedback in this forum regarding the ability to easily synch a SQL Mobile database on a device to a database on an ActiveSync-connected machine (IIS not required). I will provide more details on this when I am permitted to.

Hope this helps diffuse some of the frustration with this issue.

-Darren