Surface Area Configuration for Services and Connections (Remote Connections) - Database Engine

By default, SQL Server 2005 Express, Evaluation, and Developer editions allow local client connections only. Enterprise, Standard, and Workgroup editions also listen for remote client connections over TCP/IP. Use the Remote Connections page to change the protocols on which SQL Server listens for incoming client connections. TCP/IP is preferred over named pipes because it requires fewer ports to be opened across the firewall.

This settings on the Remote Connections page affect incoming connections only, not outward server connections such as those used for distributed queries.

Note

You must restart the Database Engine instance's service to apply changes.

Options

  • Local connections only
    If selected, the Database Engine instance will only listen for shared memory connections on the local computer. Connections from remote computers will fail.

    Note

    The dedicated administrator connection port is configured separately. See Surface Area Configuration for Features (DAC) - Database Engine.

  • Local and remote connections
    If selected, the Database Engine instance will listen for connections from the local computer and from remote computers using the selected protocols.
  • Using TCP/IP protocol only
    If selected, the Database Engine instance listens for remote connections using TCP/IP, but not named pipes.
  • Using Named Pipes protocol only
    If selected, the Database Engine instance listens for remote connections using named pipes, but not TCP/IP.
  • Using both TCP/IP and Named Pipes protocols
    If selected, the Database Engine instance listens for remote connections using TCP/IP and named pipes.

See Also

Concepts

Surface Area Configuration for Services and Connections
Surface Area Configuration for Features

Help and Information

Getting SQL Server 2005 Assistance