SQL Server/SSIS: How to query between two tables in different servers

Hi All,

I'm trying to run a fairly simple 'where' query between two tables residing on two different servers and I'm not sure which is the most efficient way (I eventually want to use the query in an SSIS SQL task to run on a daily basis):

1. Actually run the query between the two servers and if this is possible how do I write the syntax for it

2. Or perhaps pass the values in the column I'm basing my 'where' queries from to the new query so I don't have to query between two servers i.e. just have the values in the brackets instead of the sub query.

In this case I need to select all the values from Server2 and pass those values to a SQL query that will query Server1 like this:

SELECT *
  FROM [Server1\SQLEXPRESS].[DB1].[dbo].[Table1] as Tbl1
  WHERE Tbl.invoicecode IN (Values From Server 2)

Select allOpen in new window

The query I'm currently attempting to run is this:

SELECT *
  FROM [Server1\SQLEXPRESS].[DB1].[dbo].[Table1] as Tbl1
  WHERE Tbl.invoicecode IN (SELECT Tbl2.invoicenumber FROM [Server2].[DB2.[dbo].[Table2] as Tbl2)

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And I get an error message like this:

Msg 7202, Level 11, State 2, Line 1
Could not find server 'Server1\SQLEXPRESS' in sys.servers. Verify that the correct server name was specified. If necessary, execute the stored procedure sp_addlinkedserver to add the server to sys.servers.

Thanks,

OS