We have created some very simple php pages to see if the code can retrieve data from our SQL Server, and they do successfully query the database and return data, BUT, only about 2 out of 10 times on a browser refresh. The rest of the times we get a "Unable to connect to server: localhost,1433" error.

This, of course, has us very confused. I'd almost rather not be able to connect at all as it would make more sense.

If you are able to provide any insight into what might be happening with our setup, it would be MUCH appreciated. We are running MSSQL 8.00.818, PHP Version 5.2.5, and IIS 6.

Thanks in advance.

Well from what I gather, if you are able to connect sometimes then the problem isn't with your PHP code, therefor, this post should be moved. However, I will try to offer some help in areas to look to help solve the problem.

• Check any firewall settings to make sure they are not interfering with the connection ( I doubt this will help, because a firewall would completely block all connections, but worth checking out first ).
• Check your MSSQL settings, because it kinda looks like when you refresh you are causing multiple connections which in turn causes the error. So your MSSQL settings could be configured wrong. MSSQL is a beast to configure compared to other databases so look into this one well.
• Also the problem could lie in your IIS configuration settings. I'm not very familiar with configuring IIS so this is something you will have to look into on your own.

The problem does not seem to be comming from your PHP code so the problem lies somewhere with MSSQL or IIS. A google for "MSSQL connection problems" returned a good site that might help you out also http://www.databasejournal.com/featu...le.php/1569851

I hope this helps point you in the right direction to fixing your problem!!

Wow...

mssql_pconnect vs. mssql_connect

The "pconnect" works while just the "connect" doesn't.

While I'd love to know the "why" of it, I am ecstatic for now that things seem to be working.

According to php.net the p stands for persistent.