Hi All,
Very much a newbie to the whole SQL/Cloud/Web scene so apologies if anything below appears a bit 'dim'!
To cut to the chase, we provide an application to client's up and down the country to which the application stores all of it's data within an SQL Database which by default and where possible we install SQL Express on our client's Computer or Server when possible and we then install our application onto a number of the client's computer's depending on how many people need to access to said application. This would be a typical installation for a client!
Now what we are looking to acheive (and have managed to test succesfully) is eliminating the need to install SQL on our client's site and host the SQL Instance elsewhere (Our Server / Cloud / Virtual Server / Datacentres etc etc) which is the bit I'm requesting a bit of guideance with!
I understand from the succesful testing I have done in-house I have portfowarded port 1433 and have succesfully connected into the database on my own PC from an external computer (using my 'publicaddress\instance-name,1433').
I guess my query is how best to proceed? Would it be wise to rent a windows server, install SQL and create an instance for each customer?
What precautions do I need to take? security measures, backup procedures?
Any advice or input will be greatly apprecited!
First, I would agree with bmg002 on getting a consultant in, you're looking at a very large project.
However, I would also strongly, strongly, strongly recommend against just forwarding port 1433 through your firewalls. Truthfully, I wouldn't forward anything through your firewall if you can help it, instead you'd be better served (from a security standpoint) by looking at configuring some sort of VPN between the clients and you. If you forward 1433, you're basically opening up your SQL Server to anyone on the Internet who wants to take a stab at logging into it, and rest assured, someone *will* succeed.