Difference between revisions of "ODBC"

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{{Languages}}
 
{{Languages}}
−
{{Warning box| Under construction, some content may be totally wrong and misleading.}}
 
 
{{Level|medium}}
 
{{Level|medium}}
 
===Description===
 
===Description===
−
Adding support in SME Server for a universal connection to foreign datebase servers using Open Database Connectivity (ODBC).
+
Adding support in SME Server for a universal connection to foreign datebase servers using Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) with focus on PHP.
  
−
This HowTo focus on building PHP support for ODBC.
+
We will assume that you have an Microsoft SQL Server 2000/2005 running somewhere. The SQL Server should allow remote access and support connections using TCP/IP. As of my knowledge, connections using named pipes are unsupported. Of course; you will want a login id and password.
 +
 
 +
It should be similar with Sybase and other versions of SQL Server, consult FreeTDS and unixODBC documentation for details.
  
 
===Used packages===
 
===Used packages===
−
'''unixODBC''' - is an API that provides a common interface to many different databases. [http://www.unixODBC.org unixODBC official site]  
+
'''unixODBC''' - is a driver manager with built-in support for many different databases. [http://www.unixODBC.org unixODBC official site]  
  
 
'''unixODBC-devel'''
 
'''unixODBC-devel'''
  
−
'''php-odbc''' - is simply an extension for PHP that allows you to use unixODBC to connect to database servers.
+
'''php-odbc''' - is simply an extension that allows you to use unixODBC to connect to database servers using PHP.
  
−
'''freetds''' - a re-implementation of the Tabular Data Stream protocol made by Sybase and Microsoft. [http://www.freetds.org/ FreeTDS official site]
+
'''FreeTDS''' - adding drivers for Sybase and Microsoft using TDS protocol. [http://www.freetds.org/ FreeTDS official site]
  
−
Optional: '''gcc''' - The GNU Compiler Collection includes front ends for C, C++, Objective-C, Fortran, Java, and Ada, as well as libraries for these languages. [http://gcc.gnu.org/ GCC official site]
+
Optional: '''GCC''' - The GNU Compiler Collection with libraries. [http://gcc.gnu.org/ GCC official site]
  
 
===Installation===
 
===Installation===
Line 51: Line 52:
  
 
  wget http://ibiblio.org/pub/Linux/ALPHA/freetds/stable/freetds-0.82.tar.gz
 
  wget http://ibiblio.org/pub/Linux/ALPHA/freetds/stable/freetds-0.82.tar.gz
−
 
 
  gzip -d freetds-0.82.tar.gz
 
  gzip -d freetds-0.82.tar.gz
−
 
 
  tar -xvf  freetds-0.82.tar
 
  tar -xvf  freetds-0.82.tar
−
 
 
  cd freetds-0.82
 
  cd freetds-0.82
−
 
+
  ./configure --sysconfdir=/etc --prefix=/usr --with-tdsver=8.0
−
  ./configure --sysconfdir=/etc --prefix=/usr --enable-msdblib --with-tdsver=8.0
 
−
 
 
 
  make
 
  make
−
 
 
  make install
 
  make install
−
 
 
  make clean
 
  make clean
−
 
 
  signal-event post-upgrade; signal-event reboot
 
  signal-event post-upgrade; signal-event reboot
−
 
 
{{Warning box|msg=Leaving gcc on a production server is considered a security risk, if you do not really need it you should not install it, if you need it you should seriously consider uninstalling gcc when you no longer need it. Removing gcc can be done using the following command:
 
{{Warning box|msg=Leaving gcc on a production server is considered a security risk, if you do not really need it you should not install it, if you need it you should seriously consider uninstalling gcc when you no longer need it. Removing gcc can be done using the following command:
 
  yum remove gcc}}
 
  yum remove gcc}}
  
 
====Test with tsql====
 
====Test with tsql====
−
TSQL is a database client included in FreeTDS package for testing and troubleshooting. "man tsql" give more info.
+
TSQL is a simple database client included in FreeTDS package for testing and troubleshooting. "man tsql" give more info.
  
 
Check compile settings:
 
Check compile settings:
  
 
  tsql -C
 
  tsql -C
−
Should output something similar to this:
+
Should output something similar to this (if you compiled 0.82 version with above options):
 
  Compile-time settings (established with the "configure" script):
 
  Compile-time settings (established with the "configure" script):
−
  Version: freetds v0.64
+
  Version: freetds v0.82
−
  MS db-lib source compatibility: yes
+
  MS db-lib source compatibility: no
−
  Sybase binary compatibility: unknown
+
  Sybase binary compatibility: no
 
  Thread safety: yes
 
  Thread safety: yes
 
  iconv library: yes
 
  iconv library: yes
−
  TDS version: 4.2
+
  TDS version: 8.0
 
  iODBC: no
 
  iODBC: no
 
  unixodbc: yes
 
  unixodbc: yes
  
−
Test connection to a foreign database, overriding settings in freetds.conf (modify to suit your conditions, ip could be replaced with FQDN):
+
Test connection to the foreign database, overriding settings in freetds.conf (modify to suit your conditions). IP and not FQDN should be used. If on a NT domain, replace <dbuser> with <'DOMAINNAME\dbuser'>.
  
 
  tsql -H 192.168.0.112 -p 1433 -U dbuser -P dbpass
 
  tsql -H 192.168.0.112 -p 1433 -U dbuser -P dbpass
  
−
A response something like this would indicate that connection was successful but login failed (wich is normal at this stage):
+
This should output something like this indicate that you are connected, logged in and the server are ready for SQL commands:
−
 
 
 
  locale is "sv_SE"
 
  locale is "sv_SE"
 
  locale charset is "ISO-8859-1"
 
  locale charset is "ISO-8859-1"
−
  Msg 18456, Level 14, State 1, Server XP3B\SQLEXPRESS, Line 1
+
  1>
−
Login failed for user 'dbuser'.
+
Exit tsql console with "quit". If connection was made but you didn't log in indicates that you have a problem in your remote server, check settings and permissions.
−
Msg 2002, Level 9, State -1, Server OpenClient, Line -1
 
−
Adaptive Server connection failed
 
−
There was a problem connecting to the server
 
  
 
===Configuration===
 
===Configuration===
Line 106: Line 94:
  
 
====freetds.conf====
 
====freetds.conf====
−
This file contains the settings that tell freetds about each server it will connect to. Ip can (should) be replaced with FQDN.
+
This file is provided by FreeTDS and contains the settings that tell freetds about each server it will connect to.
−
Make directory to hold template fragments to be included in the original path: /etc/freetds.conf
+
<br>Host should be a FQDN (Fully Qualified Domain Name).
 +
<br>Make directory to hold template fragments to be included in the final file located in /etc/freetds.conf
 
  mkdir -p /etc/e-smith/templates-custom/etc/freetds.conf
 
  mkdir -p /etc/e-smith/templates-custom/etc/freetds.conf
  
Line 118: Line 107:
 
Add text about your foreign database server (modify to suit your conditions):
 
Add text about your foreign database server (modify to suit your conditions):
 
  # Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express on a Win XP machine
 
  # Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express on a Win XP machine
−
  [xp3c]
+
  [remoteserver]
−
  host = 192.168.0.112
+
  host = xp3c
 
  port = 1433
 
  port = 1433
−
  tds version = 8.0
+
  tds version = 8.0
−
instance = db_kalle
 
 
Exit with ctrl-x, save with y and enter. Regenerate the complete file:
 
Exit with ctrl-x, save with y and enter. Regenerate the complete file:
  
Line 132: Line 120:
  
 
====odbcinst.ini====
 
====odbcinst.ini====
−
This file tells unixODBC about the FreeTDS driver.
+
This file is provided by unixODB and tells unixODBC about the FreeTDS driver.
  
 
  mkdir -p /etc/e-smith/templates-custom/etc/odbcinst.ini
 
  mkdir -p /etc/e-smith/templates-custom/etc/odbcinst.ini
Line 143: Line 131:
  
 
  [FreeTDS]
 
  [FreeTDS]
−
  Description = Access Ms SQL Server with FreeTDS driver
+
  Description = Access Microsoft SQL Server with FreeTDS driver
 
  Driver = /usr/lib/libtdsodbc.so
 
  Driver = /usr/lib/libtdsodbc.so
  
Line 149: Line 137:
  
 
====odbc.ini====
 
====odbc.ini====
−
This file defines the DSN's (Data Source Names) for each ODBC connection. A DSN is simply a label for a given connection.
+
This file is provided by unixODB and defines the DSN's (Data Source Names) for each ODBC connection. A DSN is simply a label for a given connection.
  
 
  mkdir -p /etc/e-smith/templates-custom/etc/odbc.ini
 
  mkdir -p /etc/e-smith/templates-custom/etc/odbc.ini
  
 
  cp /etc/odbc.ini /etc/e-smith/templates-custom/etc/odbc.ini/10original
 
  cp /etc/odbc.ini /etc/e-smith/templates-custom/etc/odbc.ini/10original
 +
If your original file are empty, there is no need to copy it, but it doesn't hurt either.
  
 
  pico /etc/e-smith/templates-custom/etc/odbc.ini/20xp3c
 
  pico /etc/e-smith/templates-custom/etc/odbc.ini/20xp3c
Line 159: Line 148:
 
Add text (modify to suit your conditions):
 
Add text (modify to suit your conditions):
  
−
  [xp3c]
+
  [remoteserver]
 
  Driver = FreeTDS
 
  Driver = FreeTDS
−
  Description = Connection to DB_KALLE on server xp3c
+
  Description = Connection to database DB_TEST on server XP3C
 
  Trace = No
 
  Trace = No
 
  Server = xp3c
 
  Server = xp3c
−
  Database = db_kalle
+
  Database = db_test
 
  Port = 1433
 
  Port = 1433
 
  TDS_Version = 8.0
 
  TDS_Version = 8.0
Line 171: Line 160:
  
 
====Hosts====
 
====Hosts====
−
If the DNS does not resolve the ip of the machines running the remote SQL server (try ping the host name), add them to your hosts file (ip and change the machine name ...):
+
If the DNS does not resolve the ip of the machines running the remote SQL server (try ping the host name), add them to your hosts file (change ip and the machine name ...):
 
  mkdir -p /etc/e-smith/templates-custom/etc/hosts  
 
  mkdir -p /etc/e-smith/templates-custom/etc/hosts  
  
Line 179: Line 168:
  
 
  expand-template /etc/hosts
 
  expand-template /etc/hosts
 +
 +
The original content of the hosts file are generated elsewhere, hence not included here.
  
 
===Test again===
 
===Test again===
 
====tsql====
 
====tsql====
−
Test connection, using input in freetds.conf:
+
Test connection, using input (DSN and driver) in the configuration files we just edited, the result should be the same as the previous tsql test:
−
  tsql -S xp3c -U testuser -P testpass
+
  tsql -S remoteserver -U dbuser -P dbpass
 +
 
 +
====isql====
 +
ISQL is a simple database client included in unixODBC package for testing and troubleshooting. The command "isql" give more info.
  
−
This should output something like this:
+
Generally speaking, isql is a bit more fussy about correct configuration settings than tsql, therefore we include also this test.
−
locale is "sv_SE"
 
−
locale charset is "ISO-8859-1"
 
−
1>
 
−
1> indicate that you are connected, logged in and the server are ready for SQL commands. Exit tsql console with:
 
−
quit
 
  
−
====isql====
+
At the command line enter <isql -v DSN USERNAME PASSWORD>. If on a NT domain, replace <dbuser> with <'DOMAINNAME\dbuser'>:
−
At the command line enter the command isql -v DSN USERNAME PASSWORD e.g.:
 
  
−
  isql -v xp3c dbuser dbpass
+
  isql -v remoteserver dbuser dbpass
  
 
  +---------------------------------------+
 
  +---------------------------------------+
Line 207: Line 195:
 
  SQL>
 
  SQL>
  
−
If you do not get output similar to the above, then check your config files, pay special attention to upper/lowercase, for example XP3C is not the same as xp3c!
+
If you do not get output similar to the above, then check your config files, pay special attention to upper/lowercase, for example REMOTESERVER is not the same as remoteserver.
  
 
===Check PHP===
 
===Check PHP===
−
phpinfo(), section Configure Command, outputs: --with-unixODBC=shared,/usr
 
−
There should also be a section "odbc".
 
−
 
−
PHP function odbc_connect (and related) should now work.
 
  
 
Sample php code to check above could be (add standard html code):
 
Sample php code to check above could be (add standard html code):
Line 221: Line 205:
 
and
 
and
 
  phpinfo();
 
  phpinfo();
 +
Section Configure Command, should contain: --with-unixODBC=shared,/usr.
 +
There should also be a "odbc"-section further down.
 +
 +
So far the php-functionality have been provided by unixODBC and php-odbc and should have worked even before we installed the FreeTDS package.
 +
 +
To test FreeTDS drivers in PHP you can test a connection to your remote database:
 +
  $con = odbc_connect("remoteserver", "dbuser", "dbpass");
 +
  if (!$con) { print("There is a problem with SQL Server connection."); }
 +
  else { print("The SQL Server connection object seems to work.");
 +
          odbc_close($con); }
  
 
=== Additional information ===
 
=== Additional information ===
Line 227: Line 221:
 
FreeTDS [http://www.freetds.org/userguide/ user guide]  with  [http://www.freetds.org/userguide/troubleshooting.htm troubleshooting section].
 
FreeTDS [http://www.freetds.org/userguide/ user guide]  with  [http://www.freetds.org/userguide/troubleshooting.htm troubleshooting section].
  
−
[http://se2.php.net/manual/en/book.uodbc.php php.net ODBC]
+
unixODBC [http://www.unixODBC.org official site]
 +
 
 +
[http://php.net/manual/en/book.uodbc.php php.net ODBC]
  
 
Input from, and credit to, Nick Critten [http://bends.se/it/smeserver/filer/HowTo_NickCritten_freetds.html unofficial copy of his HowTo] and [http://www.calio.it/docs/doku.php/sqlserver calio.it] [http://translate.google.se/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.calio.it%2Fdocs%2Fdoku.php%2Fsqlserver&sl=it&tl=en&hl=sv&ie=UTF-8 translated]
 
Input from, and credit to, Nick Critten [http://bends.se/it/smeserver/filer/HowTo_NickCritten_freetds.html unofficial copy of his HowTo] and [http://www.calio.it/docs/doku.php/sqlserver calio.it] [http://translate.google.se/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.calio.it%2Fdocs%2Fdoku.php%2Fsqlserver&sl=it&tl=en&hl=sv&ie=UTF-8 translated]
  
 
===Troubleshooting===
 
===Troubleshooting===
−
Tab spaces in config files may cause troubles, use single space before and after =.
+
There are some ifs and buts involved in theese config files, please consult the docs at FreeTDS and UnixODBC if you are running into trouble. Feel free to contribute to this HowTo with your experiences.
 +
 
 +
Tab spaces in config files may cause troubles, use single space before and after the <=>.
 +
 
 +
If on a NT domain, replace <dbuser> with <'DOMAINNAME\dbuser'> (with a single quotation mark before and after).
 +
<br>Escaping the backslash with another backslash <DOMAINNAME\\dbuser> would also work.
 +
 
 +
The host name xp3c used in the examples above works in a workgroup environment, it could (should?) be a full FQDN like xp3c.mydomain.com in a NT domain environment.
 +
 
 +
In the source directory freetds-0.82/src/apps is the shell script "osql" that attempts to automatically verify the ODBC setup. It checks odbc.ini, odbcinst, and, optionally, freetds.conf, then execute isql (assume it's unixODBC's isql). Syntax: osql -S server -U user -P password.
 +
cd freetds-0.82/src/apps
 +
./osql -S xp3c -U dbuser -P dbpass
 +
 
 +
On some systems (RISC) the drivers in /usr/local/lib/ may have the extension .sl rather than .so for shared libraries.
  
−
====Ms SQL Server====
+
====Microsoft SQL Server====
−
If you are using instances, add the line "instance = db_kalle" in your freetds.conf template fragment (replace db_kalle with the name of your instance).
+
If your SQL Server are using instances, replace <port = 1433> with <instance = MyInstanceName> in your freetds.conf template fragment. Maybe adding the instance name after host in freetds.conf like this: <Server = xp3c\MyInstanceName> would aid too.
  
−
From SQL Server 2000 TDS version 8.0 should be used. Add the line "tds version = 8.0" in your template fragment for freetds.conf
+
From SQL Server 2000 TDS version 8.0 should be used. Add the line <tds version = 8.0> in your template fragment for freetds.conf
  
−
Ms SQL Server might not allow the db system user "sa" to connect from outside the server, create another account with proper permissions.
+
Microsoft SQL Server might not allow the db system user "sa" to connect from outside the server, create another account with proper permissions.
  
−
Express edition have remote access disabled by default. Can be changed in the menu "Surface Area Configuration". [http://support.microsoft.com/kb/914277 More info]
+
Express edition have remote access disabled by default. Can be changed in the menu "Surface Area Configuration". [http://support.microsoft.com/kb/914277 More info here]
  
 
----
 
----
 
[[Category:Howto]]
 
[[Category:Howto]]

Latest revision as of 08:01, 27 June 2009

Geographylogo.png Languages: 

English


PythonIcon.png Skill level: medium
The instructions on this page require a basic knowledge of linux.


Description

Adding support in SME Server for a universal connection to foreign datebase servers using Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) with focus on PHP.

We will assume that you have an Microsoft SQL Server 2000/2005 running somewhere. The SQL Server should allow remote access and support connections using TCP/IP. As of my knowledge, connections using named pipes are unsupported. Of course; you will want a login id and password.

It should be similar with Sybase and other versions of SQL Server, consult FreeTDS and unixODBC documentation for details.

Used packages

unixODBC - is a driver manager with built-in support for many different databases. unixODBC official site

unixODBC-devel

php-odbc - is simply an extension that allows you to use unixODBC to connect to database servers using PHP.

FreeTDS - adding drivers for Sybase and Microsoft using TDS protocol. FreeTDS official site

Optional: GCC - The GNU Compiler Collection with libraries. GCC official site

Installation

Install basic packages in server-manager, instructions here:

unixODBC.i386

unixODBC-devel.i386

php-odbc.i386

gcc.i386 (only needed if you are going to install from source)

Alt 1: Install FreeTDS precompiled

It save some work and you don't need gcc but usually contain an older version. Testing suggests it still works for SQL Server 2005.

Install FreeTDS from Dag repository, (you must add Dag repo first, instructions here): 

yum --enablerepo=dag install freetds freetds-devel

If Dag repo does not work or you want another rpm package, this will do, modify path as needed: 

wget http://dag.wieers.com/rpm/packages/freetds/freetds-0.64-1.el4.rf.i386.rpm

wget http://dag.wieers.com/rpm/packages/freetds/freetds-devel-0.64-1.el4.rf.i386.rpm

yum localinstall freetds-*.rpm

In any case, reconfigure the server afterwards: 

signal-event post-upgrade; signal-event reboot

Alt 2: Install FreeTDS from source

This will give you full control and the latest version (or any version, modify path as you like). 

wget http://ibiblio.org/pub/Linux/ALPHA/freetds/stable/freetds-0.82.tar.gz
gzip -d freetds-0.82.tar.gz
tar -xvf  freetds-0.82.tar
cd freetds-0.82
./configure --sysconfdir=/etc --prefix=/usr --with-tdsver=8.0
make
make install
make clean
signal-event post-upgrade; signal-event reboot
Warning.png Warning:
Leaving gcc on a production server is considered a security risk, if you do not really need it you should not install it, if you need it you should seriously consider uninstalling gcc when you no longer need it. Removing gcc can be done using the following command: 
yum remove gcc


Test with tsql

TSQL is a simple database client included in FreeTDS package for testing and troubleshooting. "man tsql" give more info.

Check compile settings: 

tsql -C

Should output something similar to this (if you compiled 0.82 version with above options): 

Compile-time settings (established with the "configure" script):
Version: freetds v0.82
MS db-lib source compatibility: no
Sybase binary compatibility: no
Thread safety: yes
iconv library: yes
TDS version: 8.0
iODBC: no
unixodbc: yes

Test connection to the foreign database, overriding settings in freetds.conf (modify to suit your conditions). IP and not FQDN should be used. If on a NT domain, replace <dbuser> with <'DOMAINNAME\dbuser'>. 

tsql -H 192.168.0.112 -p 1433 -U dbuser -P dbpass

This should output something like this indicate that you are connected, logged in and the server are ready for SQL commands: 

locale is "sv_SE"
locale charset is "ISO-8859-1"
1>

Exit tsql console with "quit". If connection was made but you didn't log in indicates that you have a problem in your remote server, check settings and permissions.

Configuration

Since these configuration files reside in /etc they may be overwritten by other server modifications. Therefore we use a templating system to make sure key information survives. More info here

freetds.conf

This file is provided by FreeTDS and contains the settings that tell freetds about each server it will connect to.
Host should be a FQDN (Fully Qualified Domain Name).
Make directory to hold template fragments to be included in the final file located in /etc/freetds.conf 

mkdir -p /etc/e-smith/templates-custom/etc/freetds.conf

Copy the original file to be included as a template fragment when we regenerate the file: 

cp /etc/freetds.conf /etc/e-smith/templates-custom/etc/freetds.conf/10original

Make additional fragment for your foreign server, "20xp3c" is my example name and can be modified: 

pico /etc/e-smith/templates-custom/etc/freetds.conf/20xp3c

Add text about your foreign database server (modify to suit your conditions): 

# Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express on a Win XP machine
[remoteserver]
host = xp3c
port = 1433
tds version = 8.0

Exit with ctrl-x, save with y and enter. Regenerate the complete file: 

expand-template /etc/freetds.conf

The generated file can now be viewed with: 

pico /etc/freetds.conf

If you want to edit the text, edit the template fragments, not this file.

odbcinst.ini

This file is provided by unixODB and tells unixODBC about the FreeTDS driver. 

mkdir -p /etc/e-smith/templates-custom/etc/odbcinst.ini

cp /etc/odbcinst.ini /etc/e-smith/templates-custom/etc/odbcinst.ini/10original

pico /etc/e-smith/templates-custom/etc/odbcinst.ini/20sqlserver

Add driver path (modify to suit your conditions): 

[FreeTDS]
Description = Access Microsoft SQL Server with FreeTDS driver
Driver = /usr/lib/libtdsodbc.so

expand-template /etc/odbcinst.ini

odbc.ini

This file is provided by unixODB and defines the DSN's (Data Source Names) for each ODBC connection. A DSN is simply a label for a given connection. 

mkdir -p /etc/e-smith/templates-custom/etc/odbc.ini

cp /etc/odbc.ini /etc/e-smith/templates-custom/etc/odbc.ini/10original

If your original file are empty, there is no need to copy it, but it doesn't hurt either. 

pico /etc/e-smith/templates-custom/etc/odbc.ini/20xp3c

Add text (modify to suit your conditions): 

[remoteserver]
Driver = FreeTDS
Description = Connection to database DB_TEST on server XP3C
Trace = No
Server = xp3c
Database = db_test
Port = 1433
TDS_Version = 8.0

expand-template /etc/odbc.ini

Hosts

If the DNS does not resolve the ip of the machines running the remote SQL server (try ping the host name), add them to your hosts file (change ip and the machine name ...): 

mkdir -p /etc/e-smith/templates-custom/etc/hosts 

pico /etc/e-smith/templates-custom/etc/hosts/20xp3c

192.168.0.112  xp3c

expand-template /etc/hosts

The original content of the hosts file are generated elsewhere, hence not included here.

Test again

tsql

Test connection, using input (DSN and driver) in the configuration files we just edited, the result should be the same as the previous tsql test: 

tsql -S remoteserver -U dbuser -P dbpass

isql

ISQL is a simple database client included in unixODBC package for testing and troubleshooting. The command "isql" give more info.

Generally speaking, isql is a bit more fussy about correct configuration settings than tsql, therefore we include also this test.

At the command line enter <isql -v DSN USERNAME PASSWORD>. If on a NT domain, replace <dbuser> with <'DOMAINNAME\dbuser'>: 

isql -v remoteserver dbuser dbpass

+---------------------------------------+
| Connected!                            |
|                                       |
| sql-statement                         |
| help [tablename]                      |
| quit                                  |
|                                       |
+---------------------------------------+
SQL>

If you do not get output similar to the above, then check your config files, pay special attention to upper/lowercase, for example REMOTESERVER is not the same as remoteserver.

Check PHP

Sample php code to check above could be (add standard html code): 

if (function_exists('odbc_connect')) 
{ echo "Function odbc_connect exists!"; }
else { echo "Function odbc_connect does NOT exist!"; }

and 

phpinfo();

Section Configure Command, should contain: --with-unixODBC=shared,/usr. There should also be a "odbc"-section further down.

So far the php-functionality have been provided by unixODBC and php-odbc and should have worked even before we installed the FreeTDS package.

To test FreeTDS drivers in PHP you can test a connection to your remote database: 

 $con = odbc_connect("remoteserver", "dbuser", "dbpass");
 if (!$con) { print("There is a problem with SQL Server connection."); } 
 else 	{ print("The SQL Server connection object seems to work."); 
         odbc_close($con); }

Additional information

Current forum discussion

FreeTDS user guide with troubleshooting section.

unixODBC official site

php.net ODBC

Input from, and credit to, Nick Critten unofficial copy of his HowTo and calio.it translated

Troubleshooting

There are some ifs and buts involved in theese config files, please consult the docs at FreeTDS and UnixODBC if you are running into trouble. Feel free to contribute to this HowTo with your experiences.

Tab spaces in config files may cause troubles, use single space before and after the <=>.

If on a NT domain, replace <dbuser> with <'DOMAINNAME\dbuser'> (with a single quotation mark before and after).
Escaping the backslash with another backslash <DOMAINNAME\\dbuser> would also work.

The host name xp3c used in the examples above works in a workgroup environment, it could (should?) be a full FQDN like xp3c.mydomain.com in a NT domain environment.

In the source directory freetds-0.82/src/apps is the shell script "osql" that attempts to automatically verify the ODBC setup. It checks odbc.ini, odbcinst, and, optionally, freetds.conf, then execute isql (assume it's unixODBC's isql). Syntax: osql -S server -U user -P password. 

cd freetds-0.82/src/apps
./osql -S xp3c -U dbuser -P dbpass

On some systems (RISC) the drivers in /usr/local/lib/ may have the extension .sl rather than .so for shared libraries.

Microsoft SQL Server

If your SQL Server are using instances, replace <port = 1433> with <instance = MyInstanceName> in your freetds.conf template fragment. Maybe adding the instance name after host in freetds.conf like this: <Server = xp3c\MyInstanceName> would aid too.

From SQL Server 2000 TDS version 8.0 should be used. Add the line <tds version = 8.0> in your template fragment for freetds.conf

Microsoft SQL Server might not allow the db system user "sa" to connect from outside the server, create another account with proper permissions.

Express edition have remote access disabled by default. Can be changed in the menu "Surface Area Configuration". More info here

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