Question

How create linked server to Fox Pro database

Asked by: down0041

I would like to create a linked server, that points to a Visual Fox Pro database.   The ultimate goal, is that I need to select items from an existing table.

 I have downloaded the VFP OLE DB driver, and it is available as a choice for "provider".

When setting up the linked server, I do not know what to fill in for the following fields.
Product Name
Data Source
Provider String

Any help GREATLY appreciated.
Regards,
td

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Asked On
2008-01-30 at 10:49:55ID23123816
Tags

sql server

Topics

FoxPro Database

,

MS SQL Server

,

SQL Server 2005

Participating Experts
4
Points
500
Comments
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Answers

 

by: dportasPosted on 2008-01-30 at 11:08:50ID: 20780021

Assuming the source of the DBFs is C:\folder:

SELECT *
 FROM OPENROWSET('vfpoledb',
  'C:\folder\';'';'',
  'SELECT * FROM table_name') AS X;

Alternatively, create a linked server:

EXEC sp_addlinkedserver
 @srvproduct='',
 @server='VFP01',
 @provider='VFPOLEDB',
 @datasrc='C:\folder\';

SELECT * FROM VFP01...table_name;

 

by: Mortaza_doulatyPosted on 2008-01-30 at 11:10:32ID: 20780041

Try this TSQL:

sp_addlinkedserver
@server ='inbf_reg2',
@srvproduct = 'Microsoft Visual FoxPro Driver',
@provider ='MSDASQL',
@datasrc ='i:\reg2.dbf',
@provstr ='Provider=MSDASQL.1;Driver=Microsoft Visual Foxpro Driver;DBQ=;SourceType=DBF;'
                                              
1:
2:
3:
4:
5:
6:

Select allOpen in new window

 

by: down0041Posted on 2008-01-30 at 12:04:29ID: 20780596

To Dportas,
Thank you for your reply.
I was able to create the linked server, using the code you suggested:
EXEC sp_addlinkedserver
 @srvproduct='',
 @server='VFP01',
 @provider='VFPOLEDB',
 @datasrc='G:\PPartner\Data\';


SELECT * FROM VFP01...line_it
When attempt to do the above select, I get the following error message:

OLE DB provider "VFPOLEDB" for linked server "VFP01" returned message "Invalid path or file name.".
Msg 7303, Level 16, State 1, Line 1
Cannot initialize the data source object of OLE DB provider "VFPOLEDB" for linked server "VFP01".

Am I missing something obvious here? Any suggestions what I might do next?
Regards, td

 

by: CarlWarnerPosted on 2008-01-30 at 12:14:20ID: 20780726

How to add a Visual FoxPro database to SQL Server as a linked server
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;199131

 

by: dportasPosted on 2008-01-30 at 13:56:47ID: 20781835

Is it possible that G: is a mapped drive rather than a physical one? Or that SQL Server can't access G:\PPartner\Data\? Or did you just mis-key the word "Partner"?

You need to use a path that is accessible to the account under which the SQL Server is running. Don't use a mapped drive and ensure the service account has the necessary permissions. If the path is not on the same server then the service account must be a DOMAIN account, not local service.

 

by: down0041Posted on 2008-01-30 at 15:23:43ID: 20782607

Wow- you were correct.  I was using G:, which was mapped.  There is an actual D:, which is an absolute step in the right direction.

I now have a followup question.  I know get the error that "table does not exist".

Any suggestions on how I can guess the table name used in Fox Pro.  I believe that the items are in a file called "LINE_IT.dbf".  I have been assuming that the table name is LINE_IT as well.

I am using the syntax:
SELECT *
 FROM OPENROWSET('vfpoledb',
  'D:\Data\PPartner';'';'',
  'SELECT * FROM LINE_IT') AS X;

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
td

 

by: tmedleyPosted on 2008-01-31 at 08:03:11ID: 20787829

If there is a file called line_it.dbf in the d:\Data\ppartner\ folder then that is the name of the table.
You may need a trailing backslash
SELECT *
 FROM OPENROWSET('vfpoledb',
  'D:\Data\PPartner\';'';'',
  'SELECT * FROM LINE_IT') AS X;

 

by: down0041Posted on 2008-01-31 at 10:31:00ID: 20789477

tmedley- thank you for your input.  I just had an aha moment.
I copied the .dbf file to a new directory, where I opened up the permisions (everyone, all).  
Now I can access the items just fine.
When you create a linked server, do you have any idea what user is being used to connect to the data source?  What user should I give permissions (without opening this up to the world), so it will work?
td

 

by: tmedleyPosted on 2008-01-31 at 10:34:23ID: 20789513

Should be system account of the pc the sql server is on. should have full access to everything on any local drive unless somoene has monkeyed with it.

 

by: down0041Posted on 2008-02-04 at 09:22:18ID: 31426478

Thank you for your help.  Your answer was exactly what I was missing.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
td

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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