How to: Configure a Server to Listen on an Alternate Pipe (SQL Server Configuration Manager)

By default, the default instance of Microsoft SQL Server Database Engine listens on named pipe \\.\pipe\sql\query. Named instances of SQL Server Database Engine and SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition listen on other pipes. Use SQL Server Configuration Manager to change the pipe used by the Database Engine.

There are three ways to connect to a specific named pipe with a client application:

  • Run the SQL Server Browser service on the server.
  • Create an alias on the client, specifying the named pipe.
  • Program the client to connect using a custom connection string.

To configure the named pipe use by the SQL Server Database Engine

  1. In SQL Server Configuration Manager, in the console pane, expand SQL Server 2005 Network Configuration, and then click expand Protocols for <instance name>.

  2. In the details pane, right-click Named Pipes, and then click Properties.

  3. On the Protocol tab, in the Pipe Name box, type the pipe you want the Database Engine to listen on, and then click OK.

  4. In the console pane, click SQL Server 2005 Services.

  5. In the details pane, right-click SQL Server (<instance name>) and then click restart, to stop and restart SQL Server.

When SQL Server is listening on an alternate pipe, there are three ways to connect to a specific named pipe with a client application:

  • Run the SQL Server Browser service on the server.
  • Create an alias on the client, specifying the named pipe.
  • Program the client to connect using a custom connection string.

See Also

Tasks

How to: Create a Server Alias for Use by a Client (SQL Server Configuration Manager)

Concepts

SQL Server Browser Service

Other Resources

Connecting to the SQL Server Database Engine

Help and Information

Getting SQL Server 2005 Assistance