> Why do you need lots of SQL Server instances? You specify the name of the server in the connection string and then connect to it. If you have COM, you still have to tell your application what server the COM component is on and then the COM component still needs to know what server to use. I really think you're overcomplicating this.

Ok, I feel really stupid now. I didn't realize you could create an ODBC connection to a SQL database via an IP address.
That greatly simplifies things. If ODBC is fast enough then I can just code using SPT and it will cut my work down enormously.

Thanks again!! You may have just saved me months of time!