Configure a Windows Firewall for Database Engine Access

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This topic describes how to configure a Windows firewall for Database Engine access in SQL Server 2012 by using SQL Server Configuration Manager. Firewall systems help prevent unauthorized access to computer resources. To access an instance of the SQL Server Database Engine through a firewall, you must configure the firewall on the computer running SQL Server to allow access.

For more information about the default Windows firewall settings, and a description of the TCP ports that affect the Database Engine, Analysis Services, Reporting Services, and Integration Services, see Configure the Windows Firewall to Allow SQL Server Access. There are many firewall systems available. For information specific to your system, see the firewall documentation.

The principal steps to allow access are:

  1. Configure the Database Engine to use a specific TCP/IP port. The default instance of the Database Engine uses port 1433, but that can be changed. The port used by the Database Engine is listed in the SQL Server error log. Instances of SQL Server Express, SQL Server Compact, and named instances of the Database Engine use dynamic ports. To configure these instances to use a specific port, see Configure a Server to Listen on a Specific TCP Port (SQL Server Configuration Manager).

  2. Configure the firewall to allow access to that port for authorized users or computers.

Note

The SQL Server Browser service lets users connect to instances of the Database Engine that are not listening on port 1433, without knowing the port number. To use SQL Server Browser, you must open UDP port 1434. To promote the most secure environment, leave the SQL Server Browser service stopped, and configure clients to connect using the port number.

Note

By default, Microsoft Windows enables the Windows Firewall, which closes port 1433 to prevent Internet computers from connecting to a default instance of SQL Server on your computer. Connections to the default instance using TCP/IP are not possible unless you reopen port 1433. The basic steps to configure the Windows firewall are provided in the following procedures. For more information, see the Windows documentation.

As an alternative to configuring SQL Server to listen on a fixed port and opening the port, you can list the SQL Server executable (Sqlservr.exe) as an exception to the blocked programs. Use this method when you want to continue to use dynamic ports. Only one instance of SQL Server can be accessed in this way.

In This Topic

  • Before you begin:

    Security

  • To configure a Widows Firewall for Database Engine access, using:

    SQL Server Configuration Manager

Before You Begin

Security

Opening ports in your firewall can leave your server exposed to malicious attacks. Make sure that you understand firewall systems before you open ports. For more information, see Security Considerations for a SQL Server Installation

Using SQL Server Configuration Manager

Applies to Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008

The following procedures configure the Windows Firewall by using the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in. The Windows Firewall with Advanced Security only configures the current profile. For more information about the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security, see Configure the Windows Firewall to Allow SQL Server Access

To open a port in the Windows firewall for TCP access

  1. On the Start menu, click Run, type WF.msc, and then click OK.

  2. In the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security, in the left pane, right-click Inbound Rules, and then click New Rule in the action pane.

  3. In the Rule Type dialog box, select Port, and then click Next.

  4. In the Protocol and Ports dialog box, select TCP. Select Specific local ports, and then type the port number of the instance of the Database Engine, such as 1433 for the default instance. Click Next.

  5. In the Action dialog box, select Allow the connection, and then click Next.

  6. In the Profile dialog box, select any profiles that describe the computer connection environment when you want to connect to the Database Engine, and then click Next.

  7. In the Name dialog box, type a name and description for this rule, and then click Finish.

To open access to SQL Server when using dynamic ports

  1. On the Start menu, click Run, type WF.msc, and then click OK.

  2. In the Windows Firewall with Advanced Security, in the left pane, right-click Inbound Rules, and then click New Rule in the action pane.

  3. In the Rule Type dialog box, select Program, and then click Next.

  4. In the Program dialog box, select This program path. Click Browse, and navigate to the instance of SQL Server that you want to access through the firewall, and then click Open. By default, SQL Server is at C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL11.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\Binn\Sqlservr.exe. Click Next.

  5. In the Action dialog box, select Allow the connection, and then click Next.

  6. In the Profile dialog box, select any profiles that describe the computer connection environment when you want to connect to the Database Engine, and then click Next.

  7. In the Name dialog box, type a name and description for this rule, and then click Finish.

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