Create a Linked Server for a MySQL Database in SQL Server 2005 - mysql

Question

I'm currently trying something I've never done before - I'm trying to access MySQL data in an SQL Server environment. Where I am, we have two servers (the MySQL and MSSQL servers), and each stores different types of data. Recently I've found a need to write queries that include data for both servers. One of the ways I read to do this is adding a "Linked Server" in SQL Server. But try as I might I cannot seem to get a Linked Server added.
I am working on a Windows 7 system, our SQL Server instance is 2005, and the MySQL version is 5.5.31.
What I've done so far is this:
Downloaded and installed the MySQL ODBC drivers
Created a System DSN using that driver for the MySQL database, called "Production". (I also tested the connection from the Data Sources application and it connects just fine).
Checked for the Provider in SQL Server (MSDASQL) to configure options such as "allow nested queries" and "allow 'LIKE' operator"
right click on Linked Servers in Server Objects in SQL Server > "New Linked Server"
From here, I fill out the linked server info like this:
Checked "Other data source" (not SQL Server)
Chose Provider "Microsoft OLE DB Provider for ODBC Drivers"
Product Name: "Production"
Data Source: (the name of the System DSN) Production
Then in the security tab, I chose the "Connections will be made using this security context" and provided my username and login for the MySQL server.
Then this is where I run into an error every time. I always get the following error message:
The linked server has been created but failed a connection test. Do you want to keep the linked server?
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
An exception occurred while executing a Transact-SQL statement or batch. (Microsoft.SqlServer.Express.ConnectionInfo)
Cannot initialize the data source object of OLE DB provider "MSDASQL" for linked server "FLUX".
OLE DB provider "MSDASQL" for linked server "FLUX" returned message "[Microsoft][ODBC Driver Manager] Data source name not found and no default driver specified". (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 7303)
For help, click: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink?ProdName=Microsoft+SQL+Server&ProdVer=09.00.5000&EvtSrc=MSSQLServer&EvtID=7303&LinkId=20476
If you click that link for help, by the way, nothing shows up.
I saw other people suggested trying an older MySQL ODBC driver, adding a System Data Source for the 32bit driver as well as the 64bit driver, and restarting my machine (not the DB server) -- none of these fixed my error.
What I do not understand is why my System DSN seems to work and connect fine, but SQL Server cannot see the Data Source. Does anyone see what I'm missing, or what I might be configuring incorrectly?
EDIT
Clarified that I restarted my local machine, but not the DB server since trying to add the Linked Server.

Answer 1

From everything you've said, you probably have a mismatch between bitnesses of SQL Server 2005 components and the installed ODBC Driver for MySQL.
System DSNs are definitely the way to go.
You probably will need to install both the 32-bit and 64-bit ODBC driver, and configure an identical (same name and everything!) System DSN with each.

Answer 2

I would say you may also want/need to install this patch it was useful for getting XP and 2003 to work properly for ODBC type connections for me.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=000364db-5e8b-44a8-b9be-ca44d18b059b&displaylang=en

Answer 3

Is your Database server on the same machine on which you have Sql Server Management Studio Installed? If the SQL Server is on a remote machine then you need to install the ODBC driver on remote Machine and create the DSN there as per link
I was having the same issue but the above link solved my problem.