title: Set up SQL Server on home network
body: <p>I am new to SQL Server and server setup in general.</p>
  
  <p>I just set up a home network file share with an old Lenovo running XP as file server over WAN, and installed SQL Server Express 2008 on the machine.</p>
  
  <p>So now I am a bit stuck on what steps I need to take now to access data on that SQL Server instance. I tried to establish an ODBC connection through a MS Access database on a client computer, but the instance is unavailable in the dropdown list and typing in the address via Computer\SQLInstance syntax yields an unavailable error.</p>
  
  <p>Please keep in mind this is the first time I have tried to set up a home server as well, so I'm not sure if I have to modify the type of server I have set up.</p>
  
  <p>Here is why I am doing this.</p>
  
  <p>I want to set up the db and start learning SQL Server (used by my company) and web development. So I was thinking create a home db, and start building pages around it. I would want access to pages from any device that is on my home network, and the ability to pipe in an ODBC connection directly to the DB.</p>
  
  <p>To do this, do I have to setup a web server? If not, can you provide advice or links to guides that can help me sort this out? I have looked around for the last day and have tried many solutions but none of them have resolved my issue.</p>
  
  <p>Any help is much appreciated.</p>