Two SQL Servers: SQL Server 2008 sp3 and SQL Server 2014We are transitioning from 2008 to 2014. We have need of some linked servers whilst this is ongoing.
We've used them before, and indeed I set them up quite easily or so I thought.
On the 2014 server, I can test the connection and everything ok. If I logon to the linked server instance (ie the 2008 server) on the 2014 server, and connect to 2014 server, and test, I get the Error: 18456 Login failed error message.
If I create a linked server on any instances of the 2008 server pointing to the 2014 server, no problems whatsoever going in that direction.
Note that I'm selecting "Be made using the login's current security context"
The 2008 sql server services is using a domain account as it's logon, whereas the 2014 server is using Managed Service Accounts.
I've checked the SPN's and they all seem to be set ok.
I then thought that perhaps there was an inconsistency with the Managed Service Account not being recognised (although does work when actually on the 2014 server). I then changed (using Sql Server config manager) the account being used for the MSSQLSvc from the managed service account to the same account used by the 2008 sql server. This seems to have produced a certain degree of success. I can now test the connection from my local ssms and the 2008 server and these work ok for the most part. I presumed I had a workaround and did further testing, however it doesn't always seem to run true. This could of course be due to me not taking the same steps to reproduce the original workaround.
This is effectively a transient condition as eventually we won't need the linked servers, however, they are needed for at least the next 2-3 months.
Could anyone help explain the nature of this problem and where I'm going wrong?
Regards
Ian