I was meddling with SQL Azure for a while now and was trying to connect from SQL Management Studio. Follow the steps below, which i used to establish a connection between SQL Azure and SQL Management Studio:

Note: You will have to have access to SQL Azure CTP. If not, navigate to http://lx.azure.microsoft.com/

  1. Open up the SQL Management Studio 2008
  2. Cancel the login dialog box that would pop up
  3. Create a ‘New Query’
  4. Now, select the Database engine
  5. Enter the FQDN which you got for SQL Azure server. If you don’t find that, obtain one from the SQL Azure portal.
  6. Enter the login name (<login_name>@servername) and also your password 
  7. Now, select Options
  8. Enter the database name. This is the DB that you would have created. It may be the master or any other database that you have.
  9. Click on connect

Viola!! You are now connected with SQL Azure from your SQL Management Studio 2008. I initially experienced some problems and came to know that it can be rectified, checking the following:

  1. Check the database name, user name, password and Server name
  2. Check the firewall settings. (Your firewall should allow 1433)

If you have got any query, please feel free to comment here! Would love to help you people! Rock On!