Fixing "DBProviderFactories" section issue in SSDT / SSIS / SSMS

Recently , I installed SQL Server Data tools ( SSDT) after installing SQL Server 2014 . 

As mentioned in one of my post (http://mfzahirdba.blogspot.com/2016/02/sql-server-2014-surprises.html )  , SSDT is not bundled in the installer . You will need to download and install it.

After the install , I created a SSIS project , and created a data flow task. 
When , I am try to create a new connection manager , I was greeted (!) with this error. 






Here is how , I resolved the issue .

a)  Identify the correct machine.config in the .NET framework 
     In my case , it was  
   C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319\Config\machine.config

b)  Remove one of the tags (DbProviderFactories)  in section  in "system.data" 
section. 

  
        

After the edit ,I was able to create the connection managers with no issue.


It looks like , when you install the ODBC / .NET drivers , it adds the additional tag into the .NET framework configuration file. 

Hope this is helpful .

SQL Server 2014 surprises - ( missing SSDT)

After  installing   SQL Server 2014 ( fresh install) , I found out the SQL Server Data tools ( as called in SQL Server 2012)  /  SQL Server Business Intelligence Studio ( Pre SQL Server 2012 versions) is missing .

After few "google searches" , found a way to install to SSDT for SQL 2014.  Downloaded the installer from  Microsoft Downloads site ( https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/confirmation.aspx?id=42313 ) .

In my first attempt , check failed on me complaining on the rule "Same architecture installation ".  In this attempt , choose "Add features to an existing instance of SQL Server 2014".

I was able to get it to working by choosing "Perform a new installation of SQL Server 2014"

Why can't be this be bundled in the SQL Server install  as usual? I hope Microsoft changes its mind in bundling these features in SQL Server 2016 and beyond.