How to configure SQL Server 2005 to allow remote connections

When you try to connect to an instance of Sql Server 2005 from your application or
froma remote computer most of the times you may get an error message. Because by
default, SQL Server 2005 doesnt allow remote connection so you have to enable it
manually. If you try to connect to remote SQL Server without enable remote connection
first, youll see one of these error messages:
1. Sql server does not allow remote connections.
2. SQL Network Interfaces, error: 26 - Error Locating Server/Instance Specified.
3. An error has occured while establishing a connection to the server. When
connecting to SQL Server 2005,this failure may be caused by the fact that under
the default settings SQL Server does not allow remote connections.
(provider:Named Pipes Provider,error:40-Could not open connection to SQL
Server))Server does not exist or access denied.
Steps for resolution:
1. Enable remote connections on the instance of SQL Server that you want to
connect to from a remote computer.
2. Turn on the SQL Server Browser service.
3. Configure the firewall to allow network traffic that is related to SQL Server and to
the SQL Server Browser service.
Enable remote connection:
If you use Sql Server Management studio then:
open.
Connect to the remote server.Right click on the server instance.Select properties.
Click Connections.Check to allow remote connections to this server.

If you use Express or Developer edition then follow the below steps:
Click Start -->> Programs -->> Microsoft SQL Server 2005 -->>
Configuration Tools -->> SQL Server Surface Area Configuration.
Now click Surface Area Configuration for Services and Connections.
Now expand Database Engine, click Remote Connections, click Local and remote connections, click the
appropriate protocol to enable for your environment, and then click Apply.

Restart MSSQLSERVER service from

Start -->> Control Panel -->> Administrative Tools -->>
Service -->> Select MSSQL Server -->> Restart Service

Enable Sql Server Browser service:

One thing noted that this may increase security risk. Microsoft recommend that you use
this process only if you really require this process.To enable the SQL Server Browser
service, follow these steps.
Click Start -->> Programs -->> Microsoft SQL Server 2005 -->>
Configuration Tools -->> SQL Server Surface Area Configuration
Now click Surface Area Configuration for Services and Connection
Select SQL Server Browser -->> Select Startup type Automatic -->> Apply

Create exception in windows firewall for SQL Server:

If you are running a firewall on the computer that is running SQL Server 2005, external
connections to SQL Server 2005 will be blocked unless SQL Server 2005 and the SQL
Server Browser service can communicate through the firewall. You must create an
exception for each instance of SQL Server 2005 that you want to accept remote
connections and an exception for the SQL Server Browser service.
Open Start -->> Control Panel -->> Windows Firewall
Select Exceptions tab -->> Add Program -->> Browse
Click the C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Shared\sqlbrowser.exe executable program, click
Open, and then click OK.

Note: path may be different depending upon your instalattion.