This video shows how to use SQL Server management studio (SSMS) to connect to either a remote server or to a local server. The user needs to know the server name and whether or they will be using SQL Server authentication or Windows authentication . If someone uses SQL Server authentication, then they have to have a login, password and they have to know which database they have access to. Finally, if it is a remote server and it is behind a firewall, then the user must first connect to their virtual private network (VPN).