CODEWITHSUNDEEP
sql-server
David
David

Reputation:

Can't connect to localhost, but can with computer name in SQL Server 2008

I'm using SQL Server 2008 and in Visual Studio, in Server Explorer, I can connect to SQL Server running using my computer name, but I can't using 127.0.0.1 or localhost, shouldn't they be the same?

Also when using a connection string in the web.config file for the website I can't connect using localhost, but only with the computer name! Is there some setting I'm missing somewhere in the SQL Config Manager?

Upvotes: 50

Views: 101165

Answers (5)

Yam Tal
Yam Tal

Reputation: 891

If someone followed this post and still hasn't solved their problems (like me), here's what solved it for me:

Step 1: I went to the TCP/IP line in SQL Server Network Configuration, under Protocols for SQLEXPRESS (though you should select your active sql server) and clicked on properties:

enter image description here

Step 2: Then, I made sure that under IP Addresses, the group IP4 is Enabled = "Yes", and that the TCP Port in there is set to 1433 (the default sql server port), like here:

enter image description here

Step 3: Lastly, just as a precaution, I've changed all the other IP group ports to 1433 also, and enabled = "Yes" them from IP2 to IP5 (I saw this one at another computer). I've also changed the IPAll's (the last group) TCP Port to 1433 as well. But that's just me. I'm crazy. Go crazy. It's good for you. Last, make sure Enabled is set to Yes on the protocol tab as well.

and then - Hooray! it worked. Cheers for all the good-hearted people that take their time to solve other people's problems.

Upvotes: 89

Outside the Box Developer
Outside the Box Developer

Reputation: 1299

You can also try: .\sql_server_instance_name

.\SQLExpress

Upvotes: 5

Jonathan Allin
Jonathan Allin

Reputation: 89

I had the same problem, and it looks like there were two issues.

First was implementing Rob's advice, ie to use the configuration manager to enable the SQL connections.

Second was to connnect to a specific instance, as advised by several folk. From the configuration manager I realised I had two instances, SQLEXPRESS and HOMEINSTALL. I could then make a connection using eg localhost\sqlexpress or .\homeintall.

Upvotes: 0

Rob
Rob

Reputation: 45771

You probably need to set Sql Server to allow "remote" connections:

  1. Go to Start > All Programs > Microsoft Sql Server 2008 > Configuration Tools > Sql Server Configuration Manager
  2. When the configuration manager has loaded, expand the "SQL Server Network Configuration" node of the treeview to the left
  3. Select the Sql Server instance that you're trying to connect to in the tree
  4. All three of "Shared Memory", "Named Pipes" and "TCP/IP" should show as Enabled in the list to the right. For any that don't, double click each one in turn and change Disabled to Enabled in the window that appears.
  5. Click on "Sql Server Services" in the treeview
  6. Choose "SQL Server (InstanceName)" (where InstanceName will probably be SqlExpress or MsSqlServer), right click and choose Restart

Once the restart has completed, try connecting again - it should work now.

Upvotes: 19

KV Prajapati
KV Prajapati

Reputation: 94645

Use localhost\sql_server_instance_name

For example, localhost\sqlexpress

Use . instead of 127.0.0.1

.\sqlexpress

Upvotes: 9

Related Questions