Solved: Process to connect SQL database

arnaudv · 10-22-2023 11:35 PM

Hello everybody.

Hello everyone,
I looked around the forum and couldn't find the answer, hence my post.
I have a "standard enterprise" plan to do a test to connect a SQL database.
Except that the help in Appsheet isn't too extensive.

- What is the difference between "cloud database" and "on permises-database"?

To do my tests, I was thinking of creating a local SQL server (on my PC) and connecting appsheet to this server, then if all the data and app are OK, transfer my database to a SQL server on the company network.

Any ideas?

Have a nice day!

WillowMobileSys

@arnaudv wrote:

What is the difference between "cloud database" and "on permises-database"?

Cloud DB's are services provided by vendors who serve many other customers. On-premise DB's are servers owned by the AppSheet Creator/Company and usually located within the building that company operates out of (but don't have to be).

While AppSheet still connects to these both in the same way, Cloud DB's are already configured for connections from outside sources. On-premise DB's may not be and therefore might require additional configuration steps so AppSheet can connect to those servers.

@arnaudv wrote:

To do my tests, I was thinking of creating a local SQL server (on my PC) and connecting appsheet to this server, then if all the data and app are OK, transfer my database to a SQL server on the company network.

Any ideas?

If your company will allow external connections through it's firewall (assuming it has a firewall established) to your local PC, then you WILL be able to set things up like you are thinking. However, most companies do not allow this type of re-direction.

You should speak with the network administrator at your company for options. Maybe they can setup a test DB for AppSheet testing. Then when ready, all you would need to do is repoint the AppSheet connection to the production server.

I hope this helps! Good luck!

View solution in original post

WillowMobileSys

@arnaudv wrote:

What is the difference between "cloud database" and "on permises-database"?

Cloud DB's are services provided by vendors who serve many other customers. On-premise DB's are servers owned by the AppSheet Creator/Company and usually located within the building that company operates out of (but don't have to be).

While AppSheet still connects to these both in the same way, Cloud DB's are already configured for connections from outside sources. On-premise DB's may not be and therefore might require additional configuration steps so AppSheet can connect to those servers.

@arnaudv wrote:

To do my tests, I was thinking of creating a local SQL server (on my PC) and connecting appsheet to this server, then if all the data and app are OK, transfer my database to a SQL server on the company network.

Any ideas?

If your company will allow external connections through it's firewall (assuming it has a firewall established) to your local PC, then you WILL be able to set things up like you are thinking. However, most companies do not allow this type of re-direction.

You should speak with the network administrator at your company for options. Maybe they can setup a test DB for AppSheet testing. Then when ready, all you would need to do is repoint the AppSheet connection to the production server.

I hope this helps! Good luck!

arnaudv

Hello everybody,
After several hours of searching, I finally managed to connect a SQL database to Appsheet,
For those who might be interested, here are the main steps involved in connecting a local sql database to appsheet.

- in the "enterprise standard" version, you must first connect to external data servers
- ask IT to configure the firewall ports
- add the port numbers given by Google Appsheet and add them to your firewall
- create input and output rules for your server and appsheet in the firewall
- fill in the fields when adding data sources to Appsheet
- Make the connection
If it helps.
Have a nice day!

xeonavn

Is this still working?