How to enable SQL Server connectivity on Windows XP Service Pack 2

This article describes how to enable SQL Server connectivity on Windows XP Service Pack 2.

By default, Windows Firewall is enabled on computers that are running Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2. Windows Firewall closes ports such as 445 that are used for file and printer sharing to prevent Internet computers from connecting to file and print shares on your computer or to other resources. When SQL Server is configured to listen for incoming client connections by using named pipes over a NetBIOS session, SQL Server communicates over TCP ports and these ports must be open. SQL Server clients that are trying to connect to SQL Server will be not be able to connect until SQL Server is set as an exception in Windows Firewall. To set SQL Server as an exception in Windows Firewall, use the steps that are listed in the "More Information" section.

Create an exception for each instance of SQL Server

The following method will open User Datagram Protocol (UDP) port 1434 in addition to the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) port. If you want to open these ports manually, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:


Note If you are running multiple instances of SQL Server, you will have to create an exception for each instance.

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Run dialog box, type Firewall.cpl, and then click OK.
3. In the Windows Firewall dialog box, click Add a Program on the Exceptions tab.
4. In the Add Program dialog box, you can select an instance of SQL Server or you can click the Browse button to locate the instance of SQL Server that you want to add to the exception list. The default installation locations for SQL Server are listed in the following table.
   
   
   Collapse this tableExpand this table

   Version	File path
   SQL Server 7.0	Mssql\Binn\Sqlservr.exe
   SQL Server 2000 Default Instance	Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\Mssql\Binn\Sqlservr.exe
   SQL Server 2000 Named Instance	Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\Mssql$instancename\Binn\Sqlservr.exe
   SQL Server 2005 Default Instance	Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.x\MSSQL\Binn\sqlservr.exe
   SQL Server 2005 Named Instance	Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.x\MSSQL\Binn\sqlservr.exe

   
   Note Each SQL Server 2005 instance is made up of a distinct set of services with specific settings for collations and other options. The directory structure, registry structure, and service names all reflect the specific instance ID of the SQL Server instance that is created during SQL Server 2005 Setup. x is the instance ID of the SQL Server instance that is created during SQL Server 2005 Setup.
5. Select the name of the instance, and then click OK.
6. Under Programs and Services, select the check box that is next to the name you selected in step 6, and then click OK.

How to use Multiprotocol Remote Procedure Call (RPC)

If you are using Multiprotocol, you must perform the steps in the "Create an exception for each instance of SQL Server" section as well as open the correct TCP ports on Windows Firewall.

How to run RPC over TCP

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

To run RPC over TCP, follow these steps:

1. Enable port 135 on Windows Firewall. To do this, follow these steps:
   1. Click Start, and then click Run.
   2. In the Run dialog box, type Firewall.cpl, and then click OK.
   3. On the Exceptions tab, click Add Port.
   4. In the Port number box, type 135, and then click the TCP button.
   5. In the Name box, type a name for the port such as MULTI, and then click OK.
   6. On the Exceptions tab, you will see the new service. To enable the port, click to select the check box next to your new service, and then click OK.
2. Modify the \\HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\RPC registry key.
   
   Note If you have just installed SQL Server, this registry key does not exist. You will have to create the key and set the value. To do this, follow these steps:
   1. Click Start, and then click Run.
   2. In the Run dialog box, type Regedit, and then click OK. This will start Registry Editor.
   3. Locate the \\HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\RPC Registry key.
   4. Set the RestrictRemoteClients key to 0.
   5. Quit Registry Editor
3. Restart the computer that is running SQL Server.

How to use RPC over Named Pipes

If you are running RPC over Named Pipes, you must open port 445 on Windows Firewall. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Run dialog box, type Firewall.cpl, and then click OK.
3. On the Exceptions tab, click Add Port.
4. In the Port number box, type 445, and then click the TCP button.
5. In the Name box, type a name for the port such as MULTI, and then click OK.
6. On the Exceptions tab, you will see the new service. To enable the port, click to select the check box next to your new service, and then click OK.

For more information about configuring SQL Server 2000 on Windows XP Service Pack 2, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: