Configure a Server to Listen on an Alternate Pipe

Applies to: SQL Server

This topic describes how to configure a server to listen on an alternate pipe in SQL Server by using SQL Server Configuration Manager. By default, the default instance of SQL Server Database Engine listens on named pipe \\.\pipe\sql\query. Named instances of SQL Server Database Engine and SQL Server Compact listen on other pipes.

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.

Using SQL Server Configuration Manager

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

  1. In SQL Server Configuration Manager, in the console pane, expand SQL Server 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 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

Create or Delete a Server Alias for Use by a Client (SQL Server Configuration Manager)
Server Network Configuration