SQL Server: is it possible to get data from another SQL server without setting linked server?

Question

I need to do the following query (for example):

SELECT c1.CustomerName FROM Customer as c1
INNER JOIN [ExternalServer].[Database].[dbo].[Customer] as c2
ON c2.RefId = c1.RefId

For some security reason my client doesn't allow me to create a linked server. The user under whom I execute this query has access to both tables. Is it possible to make it work without using linked server? Thanks.

Solution

You could use OPENROWSET, which'll require the connection info, username & password...

While I understand that the client believes that having an always-on connection to their data is risky, that's why you lock down the account. OPENROWSET means including the connection info in plain text.

Comments

[Lasse V. Karlsen]

Which is basically just a temporary linked server.

[OMG Ponies]

@Lasse V. Karlsen: By that logic, any connection string and username/password is a linked server. I'd prefer that Linked Servers be used, but the OP is clear about the client not allowing it.

[andr111]

thanks a lot for suggestion. I will try it. Although, it needs additional configuration that, of course, needs additional permissions which I'm not sure my client can give me.