Allow Access to a Server Behind Router

Question

I have a Windows Server 2019. It has a static 192. IP address that must be behind a router.

I need to allow a vendor to access SQL server and a shared folder on the server.

If I create a user account for the vendor, what do I need to do to get them from the Internet to the server?

Answer 1

Hi,

Thanks for posting here!

To allow the vendor to access the SQL server and shared folder on your Windows Server 2019 from the internet, you'll need to follow these general steps:

1. Configure port forwarding on your router: Access your router's administration interface and set up port forwarding rules to forward the necessary ports to your server's internal IP address. For SQL server, you typically need to forward port 1433 (default SQL Server port) or the specific port you have configured. For the shared folder, you may need to forward port 445 (SMB protocol) or the port you have configured.
2. Configure Windows Firewall: On your Windows Server 2019, ensure that the required ports are open in the Windows Firewall. Create inbound rules to allow incoming connections on the specific ports required for SQL server and shared folder access.
3. Create a user account: Create a user account on your Windows Server 2019 for the vendor. Assign appropriate permissions to the user account, granting access to the SQL server and the shared folder.
4. Provide the vendor with necessary information: Share the following information with the vendor:
5. Your server's public IP address: You can determine this by visiting websites like "https://www.whatismyip.com" or by checking your router's administration interface.

               The port numbers for SQL server and the shared folder: Inform the vendor about the specific ports they need to use for accessing the SQL server and shared folder.

1. Test the connection: Ask the vendor to connect to your server using the provided IP address and port numbers. Ensure that they can establish a connection to the SQL server and access the shared folder successfully.

Be careful! It is important to consider security implications when opening ports and allowing external access to your server. Ensure that you have appropriate security measures in place, such as strong passwords, encryption, and regular security updates, to protect your server and data.

Best Regards,

Karlie