SQL Servers: Linked-servers without linking servers?

Question

Both my local (and remote) SQL SERVER 2005 administrators claim that "allowing linked-servers is a security issue" and forbid their use here. (Huh?)

Anyway, is there a way to do something similar WITHOUT linked-servers?

SELECT *
FROM LOCAL_SERVER.MyDatabase.dbo.MyTable AS t1
INNER JOIN REMOTE_SERVER.MyDatabase.dbo.MyTable AS t2
ON t1.MyField = t2.MyField 

Answer 1

yes you can use OPENDATASOURCE but ad-hoc queries have to be enabled

Opendatasource: Provides ad hoc connection information as part of a four-part object name without using a linked server name.

Answer 2

You could use OPENROWSET, which'll require the connection info, username & password...

While I understand that the administrator believes that having an always-on connection to their data is risky, that's why you lock down the account. OPENROWSET means including the connection info in plain text.