How to Create an SQL Alias

SQL Configuration › Install SQL Server 2008 R2 Standard Client › How to Create an SQL Alias

How to Create an SQL Alias

Using an SQL Alias is required to connect an installation of SQL Server on a remote machine. In most cases, it is not needed but sometimes it is useful in the following circumstances:

SQL Server is using a Port other than 1433
SQL Server has a Named Instance which is using a Dynamic TCP/IP Port Number
Name Resolution within the Domain makes connecting to the SQL Server difficult or impossible using the hostname (SERVERSQL21)

For example, DNS is not properly configured and the only way to PING the SQL Server machine is by using the IP Address or the Fully Qualified Hostname (serversql21.domain.com). During some product installation using the IP Address or Fully Qualified Hostname can cause problems or not be accepted. So to simplify the connection it is preferred that the communication work using the simple Hostname of the SQL Server machine or in this case Alias.

To connect to a remote SQL Server, the SQL Workstation component must be installed on the local machine. The Workstation component installs the Client Connectivity and the SQL Management Tools.

Follow these steps:

Click Program Files, Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Configuration Tools, and open the SQL Server Configuration Manager.
Expand SQL Native Client Configuration.
Right-click Alias, and select New Alias.
Complete the following fields:

Alias Name

Enter a SQL Server name to access the remote SQL Server from this computer.

Note: Use the hostname of the remote SQL Server.

Port No

Enter the Port being used to communicate with SQL Server.

Protocol

Keep TCP/IP unless a different Protocol is needed (Not Recommended).

Server

Enter the IP Address or Hostname (Fully Qualified if needed) that communicates successfully with the remote SQL Server.

To verify the SQL Alias, connect to the remote SQL Server Database using Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio. Use the Alias Name as the Server Name.