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SQL Server Native Client ODBC Data Sources

A SQL Server data source name (DSN) identifies an ODBC data source containing all of the information that an ODBC application needs to connect to a SQL Server database on a specific server. There are two ways you can define an ODBC data source name:

  • On a client computer, open Administrative Tools in Control Panel, and double-click Data Sources (ODBC). This will open the ODBC Data Source Administrator, which you can use to create a DSN.

  • In an ODBC application, call SQLConfigDataSource.

A SQL Server data source contains:

  • The name of the data source.

  • Any information needed to connect to a specific instance of SQL Server.

  • The default database to use on a specific instance of SQL Server (optional).

  • Settings such as which ANSI options to use, whether to log performance statistics, and so on (optional).

An ODBC application is not required to connect through a data source. However, the application must provide the same connectivity information to an ODBC connect function that the driver would otherwise find in a DSN.