These instructions will help you properly configure SQL Server to allow connection of client computers to a server computer in a network with the McAfee enabled. These instructions do not extend to any other antivirus firewalls that may also be installed on your workstations. For help with these, refer to vendor specific support literature or a local computer technician.
Configuring SQL Server
To connect client computers in a network environment, the SQL Server instance you’ll be using needs to be properly configured to allow client computer connections.
On the Server computer navigate to SQL Server Configuration Manager. Click Windows Start > All Programs > Microsoft SQL Server 2012 > Configuration Tools > SQL Server Configuration Manager. If you cannot find it under that path, open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\SysWOW64 and then select SQLServerManager.
In the left pane, double-click on SQL Server Network Configuration and highlight Protocols for CMJ.
In the right pane, right click on TCP/IP and select Enable if it’s not already. You should get a warning window to restart SQL Server. Click OK. Right click on TCP/IP again and select Properties.
In the TCP/IP Properties window, click the IP Addresses tab. Scroll to the bottom and in the IP All section, delete whatever contents are in the TCP Dynamic Ports row and type 1433 in the TCP Port row. Click Apply once completed.
You should get a warning to restart SQL Server. Click OK.
Click OK to close the TCP/IP Properties window then click SQL Server Services in the left pane.
Right click on SQL Server (CMJ) and select Restart.
Close the SQL Server Configuration Manager. SQL Server is now configured properly to allow client connections to the server computer.
Configuring McAfee Firewall
To connect a client to a server in a network environment, McAfee will likely need added rules and/or exceptions. If you cannot connect your client to the server with McAfee enabled, then follow these steps on all the computers in your network to configure it properly to allow connections.
Right click on the McAfee icon, which is typically located in the system tray in the bottom right of the screen, and select Open McAfee LiveSafe.
Select Manage Security.
Select View firewall and anti-spam settings.
Click on Firewall.
You will then want to expand the Smart Advice and Advanced Settings section and enable Allow ICMP Ping requests and press Apply.
Scroll Down till you locate the Ports and System Services section and click on it to expand.
Within Ports and System Services, scroll down till you locate Microsoft SQL Server (MSFT SQL) Port 1433. Make sure this item is enabled.
Click once on the Microsoft SQL Server (MSFT SQL) Port 1433 item and press Edit.
Scroll down till you locate the items for Local TCP/IP Ports and Local UDP Ports. Make sure that in both fields the numbers 1433, 1434 are entered.
Press Save in the bottom right. You can then close the window.
These are all the exceptions McAfee Firewall requires to be enabled and allow client connections to the server. If you still cannot connect with McAfee Firewall disabled and you are certain your network is functioning properly, then it is likely you will need to create exceptions in other anti-virus or hardware firewalls installed on your workstations. The same ports (1433 & 1434) detailed herein are the ones that will need to be opened on those firewalls.