>>>>Hi,
>>>>
>>>>The customer is not able to connect to the SQL Server from the PC where VFP application resides. The server name is
>>>>XXX.XXX.XX.XXX/SQLEXPRESS (obviously the Xs refer to the IP of the server).
>>>>
>>>>The customer can PING the server IP. But the PING to the XXX.XXX.XX.XXX/SQLEXPRESS fails.
>>>>The customer tells me that they checked and the server is running. How can I verify that the server is up and running? What else can I asked them to check?
>>>>
>>>>TIA.
>>>
>>>Make sure the SQL server is set to allow remote connections (in sql configuration). make sure TCP protocol is enabled (in sql configuration). Make sure TCP port 1433 is allowed if any firewall is between your application and the SQL server.
>>
>>Thank you very much. I will pass these suggestions to the customer.
>
>also - are you using SQL authentication or Windows authentication?
>
>If windows authentication, the client needs to be on the same windows domain as the SQL server (there are workarounds but a PITA).
>
>If SQL authentication, no problem.

Nominating you for a SQL MVP award. This is not a one time great answer.

Actually I just like your politics (LOL).