>>>>>Hi,
>>>>>
>>>>>I have SQL Server Management Studio 2005 on my PC (this is what says on the Connect to Server window). Can I use it to connect to SQL Server 2008? TIA.
>>>>
>>>>Yes, I believe you can. BTW, if you have IP address you can connect directly from your SQL Server - no need for VPN.
>>>
>>>Thank you for the answer to my SQL 2005 - SQL 2008 question. 'William is right; the customer told me that I must have VPN connected in order to connect to the SQL Server. The customer is very sensitive to their security.
>>
>>If you're connected via VPN, then you will be using SSMS installed there, right? Do they have SSMS 2005 installed?
>
>No. The customer told me that I should have SSMS install on my computer connecting to their SQL Server when I am connected via VPN. Does it make sense?

Yes it does. Something you might want to do if you cannot see the server by name but you can connect to it using the IP, add an entry in the windows folder\system32\etc\drivers.hosts with said IP and name, then you can use the name directly which some times is needed (ie replication will not allow you to use the IP)