Question

Is there a TSQL command to connect to another server?

Or when you are in a Query Window, what are the Keyboard shortcuts to connect to another server and have a Query Window show up?

I have seen Ctrl+N pop up the Connect to Server dialog in some screens but when I am in a Query Window already and hit Ctrl+N it just opens up another Query Window.

The USE command lets you connect to other databases on the current server but is there a command that lets you connect to another server?

I am using SQL Server 2005.

Answer 1

You can use OpenDataSource with a linked server

OpenDataSource(provider_name, init_string) 

For example

SELECT FirstName, Gender FROM OpenDataSource ( 'SQLOLEDB', 'DataSource = NOLI\SQL2;UserID=myUserID;Password=myPassword' ).Organisation.dbo.Employees 

From MSDN–

Like the OPENROWSET function, OPENDATASOURCE should only reference OLE DB data sources that are accessed infrequently. Define a linked server for any data sources accessed more than several times. Neither OPENDATASOURCE nor OPENROWSET provide all the functionality of linked-server definitions, such as security management and the ability to query catalog information. All connection information, including passwords, must be provided every time that OPENDATASOURCE is called.