1. Creating a MS SQL database in Helm:

Log into the Helm control panel at http://cp.yourdomain.com.  Once logged in, click the Domains icon, then click your domain from the list.  This will take you to the domain's main menu.  On that menu, click the Database Manager icon.  Click the Add New button.  Choose the appropriate MS SQL version you wish to create and provide a database name.  Click Save.  Your database will be created and you will be provided with the Connection Information.  MAKE NOTE OF THE SERVER NAME (i.e. INFDBxx)!  Now, click the Add New button under the Database Users section to add a new database user to the database you just created.  Provide the username and password and click Save.

2. Connecting to your MS SQL database from your scripts:

To connect to your MS SQL database from your web-based scripts, you need to use the DB server name you noted above in the connection information for the "server name" in your connection strings or application.  DO NOT use the server IP or "localhost" or your connections will fail to work properly.  Use the username and password you provided above.  Finally, if you are asked for a port, use 1433.

NOTE:  You may not connect any web sites not hosted at Infuseweb to our database servers.  This is a violation of our Acceptable Use policy.

3. Editing your MS SQL databases:

There are two ways to edit your MS SQL Database.

A. You can connect to your databases online by visiting http://db.infuseweb.com. There, you can manage your MS SQL database via a full-featured web management tool using the DB Name, username, and password you provided when creating your MS SQL database above.

B. You can use MS SQL 2005 SQL Management Studio Express (or later), which is a desktop application, to manage your SQL 2000 or 2005 database. You can find this tool by clicking here or doing a search on Google for "download SQL Management Studio Express".

To connect using SQL Management Studio you first need to get access to SQL Server.  To do this, go to http://72.29.120.108:5555 in your web browser (the http is necessary when using a port in a URL).  When prompted, enter "emanager" for both username and password. You will receive a "successfully authenticated" message. You need to do this every time before you connect to the SQL server with Management Studio.

Now, open SQL Management Studio.  You will be prompted to provide the SQL server login information.  For Server Name, enter the following depending on what server your database is on (which you noted when creating a new SQL database above):

INFDB1 - mssql1.infuseweb.com or mssql6.infuseweb.com (72.29.120.101)
INFDB2 - mssql2.infuseweb.com or mssql7.infuseweb.com (72.29.120.112)
INFDB3 - mssql3.infuseweb.com or mssql8.infuseweb.com (72.29.120.250)
INFDB4 - mssql4.infuseweb.com or mssql9.infuseweb.com (72.29.120.130)
INFDB5 - mssql5.infuseweb.com or mssql10.infuseweb.com (72.29.120.124)

Choose SQL Server Authentication and enter the login (username) and password of a database user you created in Helm above.

Click ok. You will be now be granted access to manage your database.  You may see other databases in the database area in the left menu.  This is ok, they won't be accessible to you.  Just navigate to your database and expand it to manage your own database, which you will be allowed to see.

4. Backup and Restore of MS SQL Databases

Please visit http://db.infuseweb.com and click the MyLittleBackup MS SQL Backup/Restore icon.  You will need to have created the database and user by following step 1 above.  Once the database and user are created, log into the database by filling in the login details on the MyLittleBackup login page.  Once you are logged in, follow the steps to backup or restore your MS SQL database.

5. Troubleshooting

If you have trouble connecting, first ensure you have authenticated first as mentioned above. If you do not do this first when trying to connect to the SQL server from your desktop then you will be denied access.

Also, be sure that your desktop or local firewall is allowing TCP connections on port 1433, which is necessary for you to communicate with your database.

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