What is MS SQL Server?
MS SQL Server, also known as Microsoft® SQL, is a relational database
management system (RDBMS) used to manage transactions between a client
and a database. It receives SQL queries from a client, executes those
queries against the database, and then returns the requested information
back to the client.
Do I need to know SQL in order to manage the database?
No, it is not necessary for you to have knowledge of SQL. You can
use our web-based, graphical interface, found within the control panel
of your account, to do most functions including: running queries,
creating stored procedures, and exporting and importing data.
What is Shared MS SQL?
Shared MS SQL gives you a database partition on a shared server
(i.e., one which hosts other databases in addition to your own). This
provides a more cost-effective hosting solution than a dedicated MS SQL
server, but still has the same functionality.
What is the relation between SQL, MS SQL Server, and the database?
The SQL syntax defines the format in which requests are sent to a MS
SQL Server. MS SQL Server is a management application that interprets
those requests and carries out the appropriate actions on the database.
The database is the categorized information that the MS SQL Server acts
upon.
Will my MS SQL database disk usage be counted against my normal hosting disk space allocation?
No, your MS SQL database disk space is separate from the disk space provided to you in with your normal hosting package.
Why should I use MS SQL Server
You should elect to use MS SQL-based databases over other database
formats because MS SQL-based databases have been proven to be faster,
more fault tolerant, and more accessible than other traditional
databases such as Access or FoxPro.
Why might I want to have a MS SQL database?
A database hosted on a MS SQL server provides you with the ability to
create dynamic, interactive web pages. It allows you, for example, to
display personalized web pages for each user, display information
specific to a certain search term that the user may have entered, or
simply to collect and store data for complex analysis. Additionally, it
also provides you with the ability to more easily manage the content of
your web page. For example, if you wanted to modify a particular item
in a static, purely HTML-based site, you’d have to manually change that
item in each and every instance in which it appears. In a dynamically
created, database-driven web site, you only have to modify the
information in the database once, and that change will be shown wherever
the item is referenced on the web site.
Which hosting packages is Shared MS SQL available with?
SQL is an option available with our Business and eCommerce hosting
plans under the Windows Platform. A free SQL 25 database with 25 MB of
storage is available to all customers with these hosting plans. If you
require more space, you can upgrade to one of our larger MS SQL plans.
How do I connect with my MS SQL Database?
You can connect to MS SQL using Access, Enterprise Manager, Visual
Studio, as well as through their .asp and .aspx scripts. You can also
administer your MS SQL database directly by using our free browser-based
administration tool available through the control panel.
Using the MS SQL Server 2000 database:
If your hosting package includes a Microsoft SQL server 2000
database, you can use several methods to connect to this database, in
order to create tables, views, and stored procedures.
Using MS Access 2010:
- Open Access and in the File menu click on New
- Create an Access project in the default file location
- Under Blank Database, type a name for the project in the File Name box using the .adp file name extension.
- Enter a name for the project, e.g. adp1.adp
- Click on the Create button
- A popup will open and ask Do you want to connect to an existing SQL Server database?; Select Yes
- Enter the details of the SQL server connection:
- SQL server: your SQL Server Name (*)
- Choose "Use a specific user name and password"
- Enter your login and password for the SQL server
- Click on the button "Test connection" to see if the connection succeeds
- After that, select your database from the drop down list (*)
- Click OK
(*) You can find your SQL server name, login and password by logging
in to your control panel and in the SQL Management area, click on
'Connection Info'.
You can now work directly on the SQL server, although it looks as
if you are working in a local Access database. You can add tables,
enter data etc. All changes are stored immediately on the SQL server.
Next time you can simply double click on the project file
adp1.adp on your hard disk to reconnect. Access will be opened together
with the SQL server connection.
If you create a new table, make sure to add a primary key to the
table, otherwise you will not be able to use Access to edit data in the
tables.
Using MS Access:
- Open Access and go to menu "New"
- Choose "Project (Existing database)"
- Enter a name for the project, e.g. "C:\my documents\adp1.adp"
- Enter the details of the SQL server connection:
- SQL server: your SQL Server Name (*)
- Choose "Use a specific user name and password"
- Enter your login and password for the SQL server
- Click on the button "Test connection" to see if the connection succeeds
- After that, select your database from the drop down list (*)
- Click OK
(*) You can find your SQL server name, login and password by logging
in to your control panel and in the SQL Management area, click on
'Connection Info'.
You can now work directly on the SQL server, although it looks as
if you are working in a local Access database. You can add tables,
enter data etc. All changes are stored immediately on the SQL server.
Next time you can simply double click on the project file
adp1.adp on your hard disk to reconnect. Access will be opened together
with the SQL server connection.
If you create a new table, make sure to add a primary key to the
table, otherwise you will not be able to use Access to edit data in the
tables.
Using ASP.NET Web Matrix:
Select the Data tab on the right in Web Matrix and Click on the New
Connection button. Enter your SQL server name, your user name and
password. You can find your SQL server name, login and password by
logging in to your control panel and in the SQL Management area, click
on 'Connection Info'.
Using Visual Studio .NET:
You can create Data Connections in Visual Studio, giving you direct
access to your database. Select "Server Explorer" from the "View" Menu.
- Right click on "Data Connections" and select "Add Connection…".
- Enter the details of the SQL server connection:
- SQL server (*)
- Choose "Use a specific user name and password"
- Enter your login and password for the SQL server (*)
- Click on the button "Test connection" to see if the connection succeeds
- After that, select your database from the drop down list (*)
- Click OK
- The data connection will be added. Click on the data connection to view the tables, views and stored procedures.
(*) You can find your SQL server name, login and password by logging
in to your control panel and in the SQL Management area, click on
'Connection Info'.
If you have Visual Studio .NET Enterprise Edition, you can use
the data connection to create tables, views and stored procedures. In
the other versions, you can only edit data within the tables.
Using Enterprise Manager
You can also use Enterprise Manager, a client tool which is part of
the SQL Server product. You need an official SQL Server CD ROM to be
able to install Enterprise Manager. Please refer to the manual to
connect to an SQL server database. Enterprise Manager can be used to
create and alter tables, views, stored procedures and data.
Import data:
You can use Enterprise Manager to import existing tables with
data from your local database. Make sure that your SQL server is
registered in your Enterprise Manager. Select your database from the
list of databases on this server. Right-click on your database and
select All Tasks -> Import Data. Follow the steps in
the wizard. You can choose your source database (local) and destination
database (on the myhosting server) and then select the tables that you
wish to move.
Please note that database synchronization is not allowed and not possible on our shared SQL servers.
Accessing your database within your code:
From an ASP webpage:
If you are using ASP, you can connect to the database with following sample code:
dim db
set db=server.createobject("ADODB.Connection")
db.ConnectionString="Provider=SQLOLEDB.1;Persist Security Info=True;" & _
"User ID=username;Password=xxx;Initial Catalog=databasename;" & _
"Data Source=sqlhosting01.myhosting.com"
db.open
Make sure to replace the servername sqlhosting01.myhosting.com,
databasename, username and password with your SQL details, which you can
find in your control panel in the SQL management area. After logging in
on our website with your customer login and password, select your
database from the dropdown list (if you have more than one) and click on
"Verify connection string". On this page, you will also find a ready to
use connection string, specifically for your database (you can simply
copy & paste it into your code).
For more information on MS SQL and how to get a demo copy, click here
Do you support Full Text Indexing under MS SQL?
No, at this time Full Text Indexing is not supported under our MS SQL hosting.
How much MS SQL Server storage space will I get?
The amount of storage space provided is dependent on the package that
you select. For example, customers on SQL 50 plan are given 50 MB of
disk space; customers on SQL 100 plan are given 100 MB of disk space,
and customers on SQL 200 plan are given 200 MB of disk space. Click here to see a table comparing the different packages.
Managing your MS SQL Database using the customer control panel
You can manage your MS SQL database through your customer control panel.
To download this utility:
- Login at https://manage.myhosting.com
- Click on Hosting
- Click Databases
- Click on the database you wish to manage
- Click on the link to Browse database manager
Import and export data in a MS SQL Database
Download the Export Utility zip file. Save this file to your hard drive and extract the contents. It contains two VB Script files and the read-me file.
To import your data, please use the Query Analyzer located under 'Tools' in the MS SQL Server Web Admin interface.
When pasting your data blocks into the Query Analyser please make
sure that those blocks are no larger than 100 Kb in size. If the data
you wish to submit is larger than that, please divide it into
appropriately sized parts, and submit them one at a time.
This is limitation is a necessity born out of security concerns, and we apologize for the inconvenience.
How many concurrent connections can I have?
According to Microsoft, a SQL database can support up to 30,000
concurrent connections as opposed to Access in which performance will be
affected after only 10 to 15 concurrent connections.
What kind of support will I get?
The support staff at myhosting.com are trained to check and verify
your MS SQL connection. However, due to the complexity of the SQL query
language, support will not be able to debug scripts or third-party
applications.
Categories 
