A simple test method for SQL connectivity is to create an empty text file, with a file extension of "UDL". You can create it in Notepad. And it can have any name. I use "TestSQL.UDL"
Save it on the desktop of a windows PC and double click it.
A "Data Link Properties" dialog box will pop up where you can enter the IP address of the SQL server and also a SQL username and password.
Click the "Test Connection" button to see if you can connect.
