Creating a linked server from SQL 7 to SQL 2005

Hi,

I've been asked by the IT Manager to create a linked server one production SQL server (SQL 7.0) to another production SQL server (SQL 2005).

The SQL 2005 box is externally hosted, but our network guy says there is nothing hitting the firewall.

I can link from the sql 7 box to anothe 2005 box in our lan ...

A test SQl 7 box can link to the external 2005 instance.

This has never worked, I'm trying to set it up.

The dilema is that if the problem was due to SQL or anything to do with the SQL 7 server, then it shouldn't connect to any SQL 2005 instance. But it does.

But then neither does it appear to be anything on the firewall.

If I telnet SQL2005Server FixedPort I get a connection, so that would tend to confirm the network guy's view that it isn't the network or firewalls or vpn.

Thanks in advance
  David