Default SQL Server Network Protocol Configuration

Applies to: SQL Server

To enhance security, SQL Server disables network connectivity for some new installations. Network connectivity using TCP/IP is not disabled if you are using the Enterprise, Standard, Evaluation, or Workgroup edition, or if a previous installation of SQL Server is present. For all installations, shared memory protocol is enabled to allow local connections to the server. The SQL Server Browser service might be stopped, depending on installation conditions and installation options.

Use the SQL Server Network Configuration node of SQL Server Configuration Manager to configure the network protocols after installation. Use the SQL Server Services node of SQL Server Configuration Manager to configure the SQL Server Browser service to start automatically. For more information, see Enable or Disable a Server Network Protocol.

Default Configuration

The following table describes the configuration after installation.

Edition New installation vs. previous installation is present Shared memory TCP/IP Named pipes
Enterprise New installation Enabled Enabled Disabled for network connections.
Standard New installation Enabled Enabled Disabled for network connections.
Web New installation Enabled Enabled Disabled for network connections.
Developer New installation Enabled Disabled Disabled for network connections.
Evaluation New installation Enabled Enabled Disabled for network connections.
SQL Server Express New installation Enabled Disabled Disabled for network connections.
All editions Previous installation is present but is not being upgraded. Same as new installation Same as new installation Same as new installation
All editions Upgrade Enabled Settings from the previous installation are preserved. Settings from the previous installation are preserved.

Note

If the instance is running on a SQL Server failover cluster, it listens on those ports on each IP address selected for SQL Server during SQL Server setup.

Note

When you are installing SQL Server with command-prompt arguments, you can specify the protocols to enable by using the TCPENABLED and NPENABLED parameters. For more information, see Install SQL Server from the Command Prompt.

Creating a Connection String

See the following topics for samples of connection strings:

SQL Server Browser Settings

The SQL Server Browser service can be configured to start automatically during setup. The default is to start automatically under the following conditions:

  • When upgrading an installation.
  • When installing side by side with another instance of SQL Server.
  • When installing on a cluster.
  • When installing a named instance of the Database Engine including all instances of SQL Server Express.
  • When installing a named instance of Analysis Services.

See Also

Hardware and Software Requirements for Installing SQL Server 2016

Surface Area Configuration