Sql Server 2012 Express Remote Connections

Question

I'm trying to built an application that accesses data from a remote server using a WCF Data Service hosted in an ASP NET App.

And after several days of work I find that I have to configure SQL Server 2012 Express to allow remote connections.

Back in 2005 I did just exactly that, I didn't know that it was still necessary.

My question, is it absolutely necessary for the following platform:

• Visual Studio 2012
• Sql Server Express 2012
• WCF Data Services
• Asp Net app as a host
• Windows 7 Ultimate

Rafael

Answer 1

Yes. Part of Microsoft's Trustworthy Computing Initiative was to remove as many (default) attack points associated with any of their software/products. So by default, SQL Server Express only answers to the local machine, windows firewall blocks most incoming ports, and IIS express only answers to localhost (127.0.0.1), etc.