For the computer that runs SQL Server to communicate with other computers, it's firewall must allow the other computers to communicate through certain ports.  It doesn't matter whether you are on a Windows Server or just running your SQL Server on Windows XP Professional.

Single user systems do not have to worry about ports because all the communications take place behind the computer's software firewall.

This topic is technical and is of interest to IT people.

Ports Used

SQL Server uses port 1433 for the SQL Server Browser service that negotiates connections and server discovery.  It also uses port 1434 for named instances.  These ports must be available for Advisors Assistant to communicate with SQL Server from other stations.

Advisors Assistant also uses port 8900 if you are downloading from various investment clearing firms, DST FAN Mail, etc.  It is only needed if the download is being run from a station other than the computer containing the SQL Server database.  If you are running in Single User mode, you would not need port 8900, but other installations would need it open.

Firewalls

The ports must be open in the software firewall of the computer running the SQL Server database.

Opened On Installation

During the installation, we run a script that will attempt to open the ports in the firewall.  In a vast majority the script will open the ports.  However, if your IT person or department has password protected this function, the script will be unable to open the ports and you will need the assistance of your IT person.

Updates do not run any firewall scripts.