Registering Servers

Registering a server in SQL Server Management Studio allows you to store the server connection information for future connections. When you register a server, you must specify:

• The type of server. In Microsoft SQL Server, you can register the following types of servers: SQL Server Database Engine, Analysis Services, Reporting Services, Integration Services, and SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition.
• The name of the server.
• The type of authentication used to log on to the server.

Security Note:
When possible, use Windows Authentication.. For maximum security when using SQL Server Authentication, you should select to prompt for the login name and password when possible.

• Your user name and password, if appropriate.

  Note

  The exact information required depends on the method of authentication. For example, if you are registering a report server and choose Internet authentication, you must supply your e-mail address and password, rather than the user name and password.

• The name of the group where you want the server to be listed after it is registered.

• The registered server name. The default is the name of the server, but it can be overridden with a more meaningful name. For example, a server named TSAKK32440 can be registered with the name of the frequently accessed database such as Northwest Sales.

You can also select connection properties for the server you are registering. You can specify the following connection options:

• The database you want the server to connect to by default.
• The network protocol to use when connecting to the server.
• The default network packet size to use.
• The connection timeout.
• The execution timeout.
• The time to wait before disconnecting an idle connection.

There are three ways to register a server in SQL Server Management Studio. Local instances of SQL Server are automatically registered during the first launch of Management Studio after its installation. You can also initiate the automatic registration process at any time, to restore the registration of local server instances. Lastly, you can register a server using the Registered Servers tool of SQL Server Management Studio.

See Also

Concepts

Configuring Remote Servers

Help and Information

Getting SQL Server 2005 Assistance