Connecting to MS SQL with PHP

Hello Experts,

I’m a novice when it comes to PHP, but do have lots of Classic ASP experience.

I’m wondering does anyone  know if it is possible to connect to a MS SQL (not mySQL) DB from GoDaddy’s 2GH Shared Linux Plan?  I know that I do not have the option to setup am MS SQL DB on this hosting plan, but what if I have an external SQL Server elsewhere, could I connect to it from this hosting in PHP by just specifying the IP Address, User Name, Password and Database Name?

Assuming that I am able to connect, can anyone help me to write a test script, along the lines of:

<%
strConn = "Driver={SQL Server}; " & _
	  "Server=123.456.78.987; " & _
	  "Database=someDB; " & _
	  "Uid=SOMEone; " & _
	  "Pwd=whoknows;"	

strSQL = "SELECT * FROM Table"

rs.Open strSQL, strConn
%>

Table contents: <br><br>

<%
Do While Not rs.EOF

	Response.Write(rs.Fields("fld1") & "<br>")
	rs.MoveNext

Loop
%>

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…but, of  course, in PHP?

Many Thanks.