I am at a loss with one specific computer running SQL Server 2008 R2 Express.
- TCP & UDP 1433, 1434 are both allowed inbound by Windows Firewall settings.
- The Windows Firewall is set up to permit outgoing TCP & UDP on any port.
- There are no active antivirus or firewall programs.
When I try to connect to xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx\sqlexpress, it times out with the following error:
TITLE: Connect to Server
Cannot connect to xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx\SQLEXPRESS.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
A network-related or instance-specific error occurred while establishing a connection to SQL Server. The server was not found or was not accessible. Verify that the instance name is correct and that SQL Server is configured to allow remote connections. (provider: SQL Network Interfaces, error: 26 - Error Locating Server/Instance Specified) (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: -1)
I verified that the server permits remote connections. In the SQL Server Configuration, I have verified that TCP/IP is enabled and set to permit connections on the external IP 1433. Using Wireshark on my local machine, I was able to observe requests for 1433 UDP being sent to the distant server.
However, Wireshark on the distant server reveals no incoming 1433 UDP connection requests or anything coming from my external IP (with filtering to remote RDP from results). This leads me to believe there is a firewall problem. The PIX in front of our server is under the management of an outside firm that hosts the server.
