Problem with Database connection

Hi, i need some pointers and help how to code the folowing

i have a Form which has a couple of fields which represent Servername, userid and Password as well as a
Bttn on the form which opens a connection based on the data provided. I enclosed the code below..

My problem is that i am able to open the connection just fine but as soon as i try to access the connection
from a diffrent part of code in form i have no luck. So my question is where and how do i declare the connection so it
can be opened via my bttn but then accessed by other code outside the click event.

thanks

Private Sub bttnConnectDB_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles bttnConnectDB.Click
        If Me.txtServerName.TextLength <> 0 Then
            If Me.txtUserName.TextLength <> 0 Then

                myconnectionString = "Data Source=" & Trim(txtServerName.Text) & ";Persist Security Info=True;User ID=" & Trim(txtUserName.Text)

                Dim result As Boolean = False

                Dim connection As New SqlConnection(myconnectionString)
                Try
                    connection.Open()
                    result = True
                    Me.lblServerVersion.Text = connection.ServerVersion
                Catch exSQL As SqlException
                    'ErrorList.Add(exSQL)
                    result = False
                Catch ex As Exception
                    'ErrorList.Add(ex)
                    result = False

                    'Finally
                    '   connection.Close()

                    'connection.Dispose()
                End Try


            Else
                MsgBox("Please enter a valid User Name for the Database server", MsgBoxStyle.Exclamation, "Error...")
            End If


        Else
            MsgBox("Please enter a valid address or name for the Database server", MsgBoxStyle.Exclamation, "Error...")
        End If

        MsgBox(myconnectionString)


    End Sub

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