title: Connect a Unix server to a Windows 2008 database with PHP
body: <p>I have access to a Unix server (hosted, not mine) on which I want to run a PHP file that will retrieve information from a Windows 2008 server. In the past I have had no problem connecting with MySQL databases, but I am a little lost working with a Windows DB.</p>
  
  <p>My goal: run a SELECT query on the Windows 2008 server and return the results.</p>
  
  <p>The problem: My server does not have ODBC and I do not expect my host to be willing to add a driver for me.</p>
  
  <p>Is there anything I can do within a PHP script to make this happen?</p>
  
  <p>Thanks in advance for your help!</p>
  
  <p>Edit: the Windows 2008 server is running MS SQL</p>