SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is a free tool from Microsoft for viewing and managing a SQL Server database directly. It is not required to run SixBit, but it is useful for confirming your SIXBITDBSERVER instance exists, checking connection settings, or letting SixBit Support look directly at your database when diagnosing a problem.
Step 1 - Download and install SSMS
Unlike older versions of SQL Server, SSMS is no longer installed as part of a SQL Server install. Download it directly from Microsoft's official SQL Server Management Studio download page, run the installer, and follow the prompts. No special options need to be changed for a typical install.
Step 2 - Connect to your SixBit database
Open SSMS and connect using SIXBITDBSERVER as the server name if you are on the same computer SixBit is installed on, or SERVERNAME\SIXBITDBSERVER if you are connecting from another computer on your network. If you are not sure which authentication method to use, Windows Authentication works when connecting from the same computer SixBit is installed on.
Step 3 - Check connection settings if sharing the database
If more than one computer needs to connect to this database, see SQL Server Management Studio Settings for SixBit for the specific settings that need to be checked to allow remote connections.
