How To Enable MSSQL Database Remote Connection in Plesk

Our Windows Hosting firewall blocks all external remote connections by default, due to security reasons. For instances, a remote connection is required, you will need to enable the remote access by adding the remote IP address or subnet in the allowed list.

There are three ways to enable remote connection via Plesk, by:

• Creating a New Database
• Editing an Existing Database User, or
• Creating a New Database User

Continue reading this article to learn how to enable remote connection in Plesk.

Creating a New Database

If you don’t have a database yet, you can create one then proceed with enabling the MSSQL Database remote access. Follow the step below:

1. Access your Hosting Manager.
2. Click on the Databases tab from the left-side menu.
3. Click Add Database.
4. Enter a Database name.
5. Select the Database Server type “MSSQL” from the drop-down list.
6. On Related site, select a domain name from the drop-down list.
7. Ensure that Create a database user is ticked.
8. Enter a Database user name.
9. Enter a password and confirm your password.
10. On Remote access, choose the option: Allow remote connections from.
11. Enter the IP addresses or subnets that need remote Database access, then click OK.
    

    Note: The specified IP addresses or subnets are allowed to access the Database on behalf of this user. Your changes in this list will be pre-moderated by your hosting provider.

You have created a Database and enabled the MSSQL Database remote access.

Editing an Existing Database User

If you would like to edit an existing Database user, you can enable the MSSQL Database remote access from there. The instructions below will show you how:

1. Access your Hosting Manager.
2. Click on the Databases tab from the left-side menu.
3. Click User Management.
4. Under the Name column, click on the Database user you would like to manage.
5. Edit the Database user name if needed, then enter a password and confirm your password.
6. On Database, select a specific Database to connect this Database user to or select Any.
7. Select the appropriate Role for this user from the drop-down list.
8. On Remote access, choose the option: Allow remote connections from.
9. Enter the IP addresses or subnets that need remote Database access, then click OK.
   

   Note: The specified IP addresses or subnets are allowed to access the Database on behalf of this user. Your changes in this list will be pre-moderated by your hosting provider.

10. Wait 10 minutes for the new firewall rule to apply.

You have edited an existing Database user and enabled the MSSQL Database remote access.

Creating a New Database User

If you need to create a new Database user, you can create one then proceed with enabling the MSSQL Database remote access. The instructions below will show you how:

1. Access your Hosting Manager.
2. Click on the Databases tab from the left-side menu.
3. Click User Management.
4. Click Add Database User.
5. Select the Database Server type “MSSQL” from the drop-down list.
6. Enter a Database user name.
7. Enter a password and confirm your password.
8. On Database, select a specific Database to connect this Database user to or select Any.
9. On Remote access, choose the option: Allow remote connections from.
10. Enter the IP addresses or subnets that need remote Database access, then click OK.
    

    Note: The specified IP addresses or subnets are allowed to access the Database on behalf of this user. Your changes in this list will be pre-moderated by your hosting provider.

11. Wait 10 minutes for the new firewall rule to apply.

You have created a new Database user and enabled the MSSQL Database remote access.

Important: To further manage your Microsoft SQL or MSSQL Databases, you will need to download and install the latest Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio. If you have questions, or if you need any assistance, please let us know. We’d love to help!