Firewalls and SQL

If users on other systems need to access your SQL Server, you may need to configure the Windows
Firewall to allow access by SQL. Use the Control Panel to set up to allow SQL access.

These instructions are from a Windows 7 operating system using the Category View in the Control Panel.

NOTE that you may need to consult your IT department or company policies before proceeding. This
document is provided simply for instructional putposes.

Select “System and Security” in the control panel:

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Click on the Windows Firewall link:

Then click on the link “Allow a program or feature through Windows Firewall”:

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In this example, we are going to add the SQL executables to the firewall. Click on “Change Settings”:

The Change Settings button enable the “Allow another program” button:

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Now you are able to make exceptions to allow any of the listed applications or browse to specific SQL
programs to communicate through the firewall. In this example, we only need to add sqlserver.exe and
sqlbrowser.exe. Select the Browse button:

You will need to browse to the locations on your systems where these programs are installed. The folder
path will depend on the SQL version you have installed.

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This example has SQL 2014 Express installed, and thus we will add its programs as allowed exceptions.
Sqlserver.exe is located in C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL
Server\MSSQL12.SQL2014EXPRESS\MSSQL\Binn. Using the address bar to enter this path or you can
browse to the desired folder using the links on the left side of the window. Then select sqlserver.exe:

And select Open to accept your selection. Then select Add to commit:

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Now you will see it’s listed with its defaults:

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Continue to add sqlbrowser.exe, select “Add another program”:

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In this example, sqlbrowser.exe is in C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Shared

Select Open to accept your choice.

Select Add to commit

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Sqlbrowser.exe is added with its defaults:

Select OK to complete.

Close the control panel.

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