More Connection Problems Between Office Project 2003 and Project Server 2003

S

stryngz

ok here we go, I have a server that has Windows Server 2003 with SP1
and which has Project Server 2003 with SP1. When using a VPN I can
connect fine from Office Project 2003 to Project Server 2003. The
problem is when I disconnect from the VPN and use the public address to
connect, it won't.
From now on assume that I am not connected to the VPN. If I type
in the public address into a url I get connected just fine, however I
still can't get connected from Office Project 2003. When I try too
connect from Office Project 2003 I get this message:

"Connection failed:
SQLState: '01000'
SQL Server Error: 53
[Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver][DBNETLIB]ConnectionOpen(Connect()).
Connection failed:
SQLState: '08001'
SQL Server Error: 17
[Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver][DBNETLIB]SQL Server does not exist
or access denied."

I found a resolution in Microsoft and it states to run the Conninfo.exe
and in the sql server section it states to enter the ip address of the
server so I did. Here is the link to that:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=837653
Now once I do this configuration I get a new error when I try to access
Project Server 2003 from Office Project 2003 and here it is:

"Project was unable to log you on at this time because the Project
Server database cannot be accessed. Please try again later or check
with your Project Server administrator. (5001)"

I also tried accessing the server through the url and got the same
message. I found a microsoft resolution here which basically states to
delete and re-create the MSProjectServerUser and MSProjectUser so I did
both "resolutions" but I still get this same error. Here is the link
to that:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;839773

Does anyone have a clue on what else I need to do to get this working?
I appreciate the help.

Michael
 
G

Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]

Most likely due to the fact that your school rightfully has the SQL Port
blocked to traffic of this nature for security purposes. In this case, the
error message is telling you exactly what's going wrong.
 
S

stryngz

I'm not sure what you mean by having the sql port blocked. There are 3
ports associated with this configuration (at least that I know of) and
they are all open. When I go into Office Project 2003 offline, I can
go to the accounts and test the connection and it is successful. I
also go to the server and run the editsite.exe and test that connection
and it is successful. The only thing that doesn't work is when I close
Office Project 2003 and try to open it again and there's the error. I
am so confused. Why do all of the test connections work but then when
I actually try it it doesn't work?

Michael



Most likely due to the fact that your school rightfully has the SQL Port
blocked to traffic of this nature for security purposes. In this case, the
error message is telling you exactly what's going wrong.




stryngz said:
ok here we go, I have a server that has Windows Server 2003 with SP1
and which has Project Server 2003 with SP1. When using a VPN I can
connect fine from Office Project 2003 to Project Server 2003. The
problem is when I disconnect from the VPN and use the public address to
connect, it won't.
From now on assume that I am not connected to the VPN. If I type
in the public address into a url I get connected just fine, however I
still can't get connected from Office Project 2003. When I try too
connect from Office Project 2003 I get this message:

"Connection failed:
SQLState: '01000'
SQL Server Error: 53
[Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver][DBNETLIB]ConnectionOpen(Connect()).
Connection failed:
SQLState: '08001'
SQL Server Error: 17
[Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver][DBNETLIB]SQL Server does not exist
or access denied."

I found a resolution in Microsoft and it states to run the Conninfo.exe
and in the sql server section it states to enter the ip address of the
server so I did. Here is the link to that:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=837653
Now once I do this configuration I get a new error when I try to access
Project Server 2003 from Office Project 2003 and here it is:

"Project was unable to log you on at this time because the Project
Server database cannot be accessed. Please try again later or check
with your Project Server administrator. (5001)"

I also tried accessing the server through the url and got the same
message. I found a microsoft resolution here which basically states to
delete and re-create the MSProjectServerUser and MSProjectUser so I did
both "resolutions" but I still get this same error. Here is the link
to that:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;839773

Does anyone have a clue on what else I need to do to get this working?
I appreciate the help.

Michael
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
G

Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]

Michael:

The test connections test the availability of the PDS and Project Server
application, however do not test the availability of the database to the
client. When using Project Pro, once you clear authentication, you connect
directly to the database. For this access, you must be able to make a
connection to SQL through port 1433 (default SQL port) or whatever port your
server has been assigned to listen on. In any event, this is almost always a
closed port on firewalls and such things as VPN appliances unless
specifically opened, and (preferably) secured.




stryngz said:
I'm not sure what you mean by having the sql port blocked. There are 3
ports associated with this configuration (at least that I know of) and
they are all open. When I go into Office Project 2003 offline, I can
go to the accounts and test the connection and it is successful. I
also go to the server and run the editsite.exe and test that connection
and it is successful. The only thing that doesn't work is when I close
Office Project 2003 and try to open it again and there's the error. I
am so confused. Why do all of the test connections work but then when
I actually try it it doesn't work?

Michael



Most likely due to the fact that your school rightfully has the SQL Port
blocked to traffic of this nature for security purposes. In this case,
the
error message is telling you exactly what's going wrong.




stryngz said:
ok here we go, I have a server that has Windows Server 2003 with SP1
and which has Project Server 2003 with SP1. When using a VPN I can
connect fine from Office Project 2003 to Project Server 2003. The
problem is when I disconnect from the VPN and use the public address to
connect, it won't.
From now on assume that I am not connected to the VPN. If I type
in the public address into a url I get connected just fine, however I
still can't get connected from Office Project 2003. When I try too
connect from Office Project 2003 I get this message:

"Connection failed:
SQLState: '01000'
SQL Server Error: 53
[Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver][DBNETLIB]ConnectionOpen(Connect()).
Connection failed:
SQLState: '08001'
SQL Server Error: 17
[Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver][DBNETLIB]SQL Server does not exist
or access denied."

I found a resolution in Microsoft and it states to run the Conninfo.exe
and in the sql server section it states to enter the ip address of the
server so I did. Here is the link to that:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=837653
Now once I do this configuration I get a new error when I try to access
Project Server 2003 from Office Project 2003 and here it is:

"Project was unable to log you on at this time because the Project
Server database cannot be accessed. Please try again later or check
with your Project Server administrator. (5001)"

I also tried accessing the server through the url and got the same
message. I found a microsoft resolution here which basically states to
delete and re-create the MSProjectServerUser and MSProjectUser so I did
both "resolutions" but I still get this same error. Here is the link
to that:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;839773

Does anyone have a clue on what else I need to do to get this working?
I appreciate the help.

Michael
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
S

stryngz

Oh I see, well I went in through the server network utility (found
instructions on how to change the port for sql) and clicked on
properties for the TCP/IP settings and changed the port that it listens
to one that I know is open but it still doesn't work, still get the
same error. I did a netstat -a then a netstat -an in a command prompt
in the server and noticed UDP port 1434 associated with ms-sql-m. Will
this also need to be open?
 
S

stryngz

After researching about port 1433 and 1434, I have seen that this is a
big security risk because of a virus that has used these ports. Has
this been taken care of from Microsoft or is this still an issue? If
it is still an issue I might just not even mess with this and tell the
users to use the VPN.
 
G

Gary L. Chefetz [MVP]

The strategies for providing secure access across public transports are well
outlined in the installation guide. I strongly suggest Citrix or Terminal
Services for Project users. VPN may be secure enough, but may not provide
the necessary performance which is dependent on many other variables as
well.
 
S

stryngz

I appreciate the help Gary, I'll look over the installation guide again
and see what it recommends. Thanks

Michael
 
R

Rolly Perreaux

After researching about port 1433 and 1434, I have seen that this is a
big security risk because of a virus that has used these ports. Has
this been taken care of from Microsoft or is this still an issue? If
it is still an issue I might just not even mess with this and tell the
users to use the VPN.
Click to expand...

Opening the ports used for SQL is a HUGE security risk and should NEVER
be opened to the Internet. Follow Gary's advice and look into a Citrix
or an MS Terminal Services solution.

--
Rolly Perreaux
Project Server Trainer/Consultant

IT Summit Series
Advanced Microsoft Technology Training
http://www.itsummitseries.com
 
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