Microsoft SQL Data Sync Agent: Server and Database

Question

I'm struggling with Microsoft SQL Data Sync Agent, which I need to setup the windows Azure platform. In the ms sql data sync agent preview, the "Ping Sync Service" is successfully executed. My windows firewall is allowing ingoing via port 1433.

The problem is, when I want to "Register": First, I'm not sure that I enter the correct "Server" and "Database" names. Second, I'm not sure whether I should use "SQL" or "Windows" Authentication Third, how do I ensure that the Client Sync Agent has appropriate rights to the database?

Among alot of other trials, my best guess is: Server " .\\SQLEXPRESS" Database "SiteSqlServer"

but still I get the following 2 error messages:

1) Unable to connect to the Database. PLease check if service account has connectivity, credentials and permissions to connect. Server: "XXX\\SQLEXPRESS". Database: "SiteSqlServer".

2) Connection faild. Please check database credentials along with permissions for Microsoft SQL Data Sync Windows service logon account to connect to database with specified credentials. Other reasons for failure: Windows Azure SQL databases have to be added on the SQL Data Sync portal. SQL Server databases lower than SQL Server 2005 SP2 are not supported on the SQL Data Sync.

I'm using: dotnetnuke CMS system and Microsoft webmatrix.

Any idea on how to proceed from here is warmly welcomed!

Thanks!

Answer 1

It seems you are trying to sync SQL Azure with SQL Express which is not supported and not tested. That's why when you try as described above you get that error. Based on my experiences there are issues using with SQL Express and SQL DataSync and SQL Express is not listed helow:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windowsazure/hh456371.aspx

There are a few articles on internet where a few folks who went ahead and hacked the system to work with some vers'on of SQL Express so you are your own if you wish to try further. An article I found is here :