Connection Tab for SQL Server

Use the Connection tab to specify how to connect to Microsoft SQL Server data.

This Connection tab is provider-specific and displays only the connection properties that are required by the OLE DB Provider for Microsoft SQL Server.

Option Description
Server name Select a server name from the drop-down list, or type the location of the server where the database you want to access is located. Selecting the database on the server is a separate action. Refresh the list by clicking Refresh.
Use Windows NT Integrated security Click to specify that the provider request a secure (or trusted) connection to a SQL Server running on Microsoft Windows NT. When selected, SQL Server uses integrated login security to establish connections using this data source, regardless of the current login security mode at the server. Any login ID or password supplied is ignored. The SQL Server system administrator must have associated your Microsoft Windows network ID with a SQL Server login ID.
Use a specific user name and password Click to use a supplied user name and password to authenticate your logon information to the data source.
User name Type the User ID to use for authentication when you log on to the data source.
Password Type the password to use for authentication when you log on to the data source.
Blank password Enables the specified provider to return a blank password in the connection string.
Allow saving password Allows the password to be saved with the connection string. Whether the password is included in the connection string depends on the functionality of the calling application.

Note   If saved, the password is returned and saved unmasked and unencrypted.

Select database Use one of these methods:
  • Type the database name that you want to access.

  • For SQL Server 7.0, attach an SQL database file as a database name. Type the database name to use for the attached SQL database file.

  • For SQL Server versions 6.5 and earlier, type the database file name to attach. Then type the name of the single-file database file. To browse for the file, click the button.
Test Connection Click to attempt a connection to the specified data source. If the connection fails, ensure that the settings are correct. For example, spelling errors and case sensitivity can cause failed connections.

Note   For more Data Link connection information, see the Data Link API Reference.