OpenLink 64-Bit ODBC Connection from Windows to Microsoft SQL Server on Azure

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OpenLink ODBC, JDBC, ADO.NET Data Access Drivers Blog

4 min readOct 15, 2019

Basic Preparation

[1] Download the new OpenLink SQL Server ODBC Driver version 8.0 Installer Package from our Download Page.

[2] Download a Free Evaluation License from the License Download Page, or purchase a non-expiring license from our Online Shop.

[3] Confirm that you have SQL Server up and running on Azure, including opening up firewall access for the IP Address used by your ODBC client application.

Azure Dashboard for Microsoft SQL Server — Properties sub-section

Azure Dashboard for Microsoft SQL Server — Connection strings sub-section

Information you need prior to setting up an ODBC connection

Default Database — in this case, it is kidehen-db
Server DNS Name or IP Address — in this case, it is kidehendb.database.windows.net
Database Server Port — in this case, it is 1433

Setting up your ODBC Data Source Name (DSN) using the visual iODBC Administrator User Interface

Here are screenshots that cover the ODBC DSN setup process.

[1] Find and Launch the ODBC Administrator App locate by entering ODBC into the Search input field associated with Windows Start menu)

ODBC Administrator opening dialog, following launch.

[2] Assign a Literal Name that distinguishes this ODBC DSN from others.

[3] Provide Database Server Connection Information, by clicking on the “Advanced Button”

Revealing a more details dialog for capturing Database Server connection information.

[4] Verify settings by making a simple connection to the target Database Server.

Complete the Database Server connection information provision process by selecting the Default Database to be associated with your Data Source Name.

[5] Perform a final Database Server Connectivity test.

[6] Save the newly created DSN for subsequent use by any 64-Bit ODBC compliant application running on Windows.

Now that you have configured a DSN that has been confirmed as functional, proceed to making an ODBC connection using the iODBC Demo app (a simple ODBC-compliant application) that’s bundled with the driver installation.

ODBC-Compliant Application Test

[1] Locate and Start the 64-Bit C++ Demo ODBC App (located by typing “C++ Demo” into the Startup Menu’s Search input field)

[2] Open a connection to your target Database Server via the Environmentmenu → Open Connection….

[3] Provide your credentials for authentication.

[4] Choose Execute SQL… from the SQL menu.

[5] Enter a sample SQL Query.

[6] View query results.

At this juncture, you have a working SQL Server Driver setup and a functioning DSN connecting you to a SQL Server instance running in the Azure Cloud.

Conclusion

You have successfully configured an OpenLink ODBC Driver for SQL Server on Windows that connects to a Database Server on Azure.