php, mssql, and remote servers

need a little guidence or stratagy on the best way to do this.

[andyd273]

Here is the situation.
My boss wants me to set up our (remote) website so that registered members can get certian user information (such as subscription expiration date) from our local sql server 2000 database which is sitting on an win2003 server, and have the information current.
its my task to figure out the easiest way to do it.

The remote web server is running linux/apache and has php and mysql available on it.

I've talked to them a little, and they tell me that the mssql_connect function is only for connecting to a local server, so I cant just put in the IP address and port number of our sql server and expect it to connect.

so, if anyone knows of a way to make that work, great.
If not, what would be easier? To set up some daily database replication of the needed info and export it to the mysql server on the webhost (not as real time)?
or is there a way to link up the local mssql database and the remote mysql database?

I just need some hints on the best way to go with this, and maybe a pointer or 2 on where to research to find the solution.

[andyd273]

Oh, and it looks like I can get ASP installed too, if that would work better.