Creating Firewall Rule for SQL Azure

All access to SQL azure is blocked by firewall.

By default Database created in SQL Azure is blocked by firewall for security reasons. Any attempt from external access or access from any azure application is blocked by firewall.


Connecting from Local system

When we want to connect SQL Azure portal from network system or local system then we need to configure firewall in the local system. We need to create an exception for port 1433 in the local firewall. Click here to see how to do this?

Connecting from Internet

The entire request to connect to SQL Azure from Internet is blocked by SQL Azure firewall. When a request comes from Internet

1. SQL Azure checks the IP address of system making the request
2. If IP address is in between the range of IP address set as firewall rule of SQL Azure portal then connection is established.

Later in this article we will see how to create a firewall rule in SQL Azure portal.

Follow the following steps to create rules to

Step 1

After login to SQL Azure portal, click on the Firewall settings tab.



Step 2

Click on Add Rule. To see the IP address of your local system, you can check Your IP address. Make a note here is that IP address you see using IPCONFIG on local system and IP address registered with SQL Azure portal is different.


So check the Your IP address here and set the range such that your IP address lies in that range. After giving name and IP range click on Submit.

Connecting from Windows Azure

To connect from Windows Azure application you need to check the check boxes.


And set the Firewall rule for MicrosoftServices in the range of 0.0.0.0 to 0.0.0.0



After following the below steps

1. Creating Firewall rules by setting the range such that your IP address is in that range.
2. Creating the Exception at local firewall for port 1433.

You should be able to connect to SQL Azure Database. To test the connection select a database from database tab and click on Test connectivity.


You would be prompted to provide user name and password


Provide user name and password and click on Connect. On successful connection you will get the success message shown below.