Connecting to Microsoft SQL Server Databases

Purdue IT provides a number of Microsoft SQL Servers to host databases.  The servers are listed below:

ECN-MSSQL  - This server is the main SQL server for non-infrastructure databases

ECN-CLASSMSSQL  - This server hosts class-related development databases; only databases used for teaching can be on this server.

ECN-PRODMSSQL  - This server hosts infrastructure databases for internal Engineering use only.

You will be notified which server your database is located on (most times this will be ECN-MSSQL). You will need this name as it is the server you will connect to.

You will also be notified what your database is named, which you will see when you connect through either Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), Visual Studio, or any other DB management application.

If you are using a computer NOT on the BoilerAD Domain (like a personal computer), you will need to follow the steps below before you can connect to the database in either Visual Studio, SQL Server Management Studio, or any other database management software:

1. Open 'Manage Windows Credentials' from the start menu (the best way is to search for it from the start menu)
2. Click the "Add a Windows Credential" button
3. For the Internet or network address field, type in:
   • ecn-mssql.ecn.purdue.edu:1433
4. In the User Name field, type
   • BoilerAD\YOUR_USERNAME_HERE
5. In the Password Field, type in your BoilerAD (career account) password
6. After selecting the OK button, you will need to add an additional credential
7. Click the "Add a Windows Credential" button
8. For the Internet or network address field, type in:
   • ecn-mssql.ecn.purdue.edu
9. In the User Name field, type
   • BoilerAD\YOUR_USERNAME_HERE
10. In the Password Field, type in your BoilerAD (career account) password
11. After selecting the OK button, you can close Windows Credential Manager

Connecting to the Database Server with Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio:

Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio can be downloaded at the link below:

 https://goo.gl/aVwjtG (goes to docs.microsoft.com for download link)

1. Once you have downloaded and installed Server Management Studio, open the program with the shortcut in the Start menu
2. A connection box will pop up for the "Server Type" select "Database Engine."
3. For the "Server Name," type in the following:
   • ecn-mssql.ecn.purdue.edu:1433
4. Then, for the "Authentication" select "Windows Authentication."
5. Complete the connection by clicking on the "Connect" button

Once connected, open the Database folder and double-click on the database that you wish to access.

Connecting to the Database in Visual Studio:

In Visual Studio, go to the menu bar and select:

Tools->Connect to Database

In the dialogue box that opens, use the following information:

Make sure that the "Data Source:" field is set to: Microsoft SQL Server (SqlClient)

In the "Server Name:" field, type the following:

ecn-mssql.ecn.purdue.edu

<use the SQL Server name provided to you>

In the "Log on to the Server" box, select the following if you are on a Purdue IT-supported computer:

Select the "Use Windows Authentication" radio button

In the "Connect to a database" section, select the following:

Select the radio button that says "Select or enter a database name."

Then, in the input field, provide the following information as the database name:

<The database name will be provided to you>

Now select the "Test Connection" button. If it passes, then click the "OK" button twice.

Once you have completed the steps above, you will be connected to the database in Microsoft Visual Studio.

In the server explorer on either the right or left-hand side (depending on your Visual Studio version/configuration), there will be a box for the 'Server Explorer' in that box is a section titled 'Data Connection', where the connection that you just made will be listed

Open that section with the carat (^), and you will see your MS-SQL Database

Then right right-click on the tables section to create new tables or anything else needing to be done

Connecting to the Database Server on Mac OS:

There are two options for software on the Mac to connect to the Microsoft SQL Server sequel:

1. DbVisualizer - free software that has limited functionality unless upgraded to the pro version, but will allow for basic uses.

https://www.dbvis.com/download/

2. Valentina - free software, but requires registration, which is free, to get a serial number to take it out of trial mode.

https://www.valentina-db.com/en/studio/download

Once you have selected your software for use, open it and connect using the information below:

Database Driver:   SQL Server (jTDS) (or just select the MSSQL option for Valentina Studio)

Server/Host:         ecn-mssql.ecn.purdue.edu <use the server name provided to you>

Port Number:        1433

Username:            your BoilerAD (career account) username

Password:             your BoilerAD (career account) password

Domain:                BoilerAD (if there is no Domain section, append your username with "BoilerAD\")

Authentication Method:  Windows (if available - used mainly for DbVisualizer)

Database:             <use the database name that was assigned to you>

If you have any issues connecting to your database, please email windows@ecn.purdue.edu.