SQL Server CE 1.0 and later version client programs may not be able to connect to IIS on computers that are running Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2)

When you run a Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Windows CE Edition (SQL Server CE) 1.0 or later version client program that connects to a computer that is running Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS), you may receive an error message that is similar to the following:Additionally, if you try to access the URL for SQL Server CE Server Agent by using an Internet browser on the computer that is running IIS, you may not be able to access the URL. For example, the URL for SQL Server CE Server Agent may be http://myserver/sqlce/sscesa20.dll.

Note This problem may occur if IIS runs on a computer that is running Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 (Windows XP SP2).

By default, the firewall in Windows XP SP2 is turned on to prevent connections to IIS. Therefore, when an Internet client program, such as a SQL Server CE client program, tries to access IIS, the connection is not successful.

To resolve this problem, you must allow Internet users to access the Web Server (HTTP) service and the Secure Web Server (HTTPS) service on the computer that is running IIS. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type firewall.cpl, and then click OK.
2. In the Windows Firewall dialog box, click the Advanced tab.
3. In the Network Connection Settings box, click the connection that your computer uses, and then click Settings.
4. In the Advanced Settings dialog box, click Web Server (HTTP), and then click Secure Web Server (HTTPS).
   
   Note For additional information about when you must allow users to access the Secure Web Server (HTTPS) on your computer, see the "More Information" section.
5. Click OK.
6. In the Windows Firewall dialog box, click OK.
   
   Note If you modify Windows Firewall settings to allow users to connect to the Web Server (HTTP) service and the Secure Web Server (HTTPS) service, it may expose your computer to security threats on your network. Make sure that you turn on these services only when the services are required.

You must allow users to access the Secure Web Server (HTTPS) service on a computer that is running Windows XP SP2 only when secure Web applications must connect to the computer. SQL Server CE 2.0 Replication and Remote Data Access (RDA) applications require the Secure Web Server (HTTPS) service to be accessible.

For additional information, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: