I installed Microsoft SQL Server 2008.
When I start SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), I get the Connect to Server login window with a blank textbox for Server name. I have tried a lot of names, but I couldn’t solve it.
How can I find / get the server name?
Mwiza
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asked Apr 18, 2013 at 16:18
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Open up SQL Server Configuration Manager (search for it in the Start menu). Click on SQL Server Services. The instance name of SQL Server is in parenthesis inline with SQL Server service. If it says MSSQLSERVER, then it’s the default instance. To connect to it in Management Studio, just type . (dot) OR (local) and click Connect. If the instance name is different, then use .[instance name] to connect to it (for example if the instance name is SQL2008, connect to .SQL2008).
Also make sure SQL Server and SQL Server Browser services are running, otherwise you won’t be able to connect.
Edit:
Here’s a screenshot of how it looks like on my machine. In this case, I have two instances installed: SQLExpress and SQL2008.
answered Apr 18, 2013 at 17:07
Arian MotamediArian Motamedi
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Run this Query to get the name
SELECT @@SERVERNAME
answered Sep 12, 2013 at 13:07
sansalksansalk
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Open cmd.exe (WINDOWS + R type cmd and press Enter)
and run this
SQLCMD -L
You will get list of SQL Server instance
3rd party edit
surfmuggle
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answered Nov 6, 2014 at 4:36
Khaneddy2013Khaneddy2013
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the default server name is your computer name, but you can use “.” (Dot) instead of local server name.
another thing you should consider is maybe you installed sql server express edition. in this case you must enter “.sqlexpress” as server name.
answered Apr 18, 2013 at 16:37
AliAli
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Note: To connect to server on SQL Server Management Studio(SSMS), we must first install SQL Server.
So steps to proceed are as
Step 1 : Downloads and Install Microsoft SQL Server 2019
Step 2 : Downloads and Install SQL Server Management Studio
If still not able to see the Server name on SSMS, have a look at these three screen:
answered Oct 17, 2020 at 5:41
mabdullahsemabdullahse
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As mentioned by @Khaneddy2013, the cmd SQLCMD -L
returns no server name when I run. Bcz I only have installed the SSMS (local db and server were not installed).
After tried installing SqlLocaLDB and SQLEXPR32_x86_ENU(32 bit OS) I was able to connect. And now the cmd window shows the server names too.
answered Jun 23, 2017 at 19:27
2
There are many ways mentioned above. But I use rather simple way (well not simple as SELECT @@SERVERNAME). When you start SQL server management studio you will prompt below GUI
In there Server name is your server name (There may have multiple servers according to you dev environment choose correct one). Hope this helps 🙂
answered Aug 21, 2017 at 4:48
Menuka IshanMenuka Ishan
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start -> CMD -> (Write comand) SQLCMD -L first line is Server name if Server name is (local) Server name is : YourPcNameSQLEXPRESS
answered Feb 29, 2016 at 18:21
1
given the following examples
- SQL Instance Name: MSSQLSERVER
- Port: 1433
- Hostname: MyKitchenPC
- IPv4: 10.242.137.227
- DNS Suffix: dir.svc.mykitchencompany.com
here are your possible servernames:
- localhostMSSQLSERVER
- localhost,1433MSSQLSERVER
- MyKitchenPC,1433MSSQLSERVER
- 10.242.137.227,1433MSSQLSERVER
- MyKitchenPC.dir.svc.mykitchencompany.com,1433MSSQLSERVER
answered Oct 4, 2017 at 17:27
1
Step1: Ensure SQLEXPRESS and LocalDB installed on your system
Go to SQL SERVER Configuration Manager => SQL Server Service
If nothing listed for SQL Server services, install below components (for 64 bit OS)
1. SqlLocalDB
2. SQLEXPR_x64_ENU
3. SQLEXPRADV_x64_ENU
4. SQLEXPRWT_x64_ENU
Step2: Open Management Studios
Enter . (Dot) as server name and click on Connect
[enter image description here][2]
Else
Enter .SQLEXPRESS as server name and click on connect
answered Oct 27, 2015 at 5:51
MV SreedharMV Sreedhar
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I also had this problem first time.
In the Connect to Server dialog box, verify the default settings, and then click Connect. To connect, the Server name box must contain the name of the computer where SQL Server is installed. If the Database Engine is a named instance, the Server name box should also contain the instance name in the format: computer_nameinstance_name.
So for example i solved the problem like this: I typed in the server name: Alex-PCSQLEXPRESS
Then it should work. for more see http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/25ffaea6-0eee-4169-8dd0-1da417c28fc6
answered Dec 11, 2013 at 20:03
AkbarAkbar
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Try using a . or localhost as server name, might work a few times.
answered Feb 14, 2022 at 15:57
simply type .sqlexpress as the Server Name
answered Oct 25, 2019 at 15:39
kirankiran
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Typing sp_helpserver will give you a list. As others have noted, there are multiple ways, some with alias’ and such. This stored proc may return multiple lines but could get you closer to your answer.
answered Nov 5, 2019 at 17:47
GrandizerGrandizer
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1.you can run following command.
EXEC xp_cmdshell ‘reg query “HKLMSoftwareMicrosoftMicrosoft SQL ServerInstance NamesSQL”‘;
GO
you can read instance name using Registry. Ingore null values.
2.using inbuilt standard Report.
select instance–> right click->Reports–>Standard Reports–>server Dashbords 
answered Dec 30, 2016 at 11:12
VisheVishe
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Please Install SQL Server Data Tools from link (SSDT)
You can also Install it when you are installing Visual Studio there is Option “Data Storage and Processing” you must be select while installing Visual Studio
answered Apr 3, 2019 at 10:27
On installing the sql server 2019 management studio the default server name will be : localhostSQLEXPRESS
default connection string is :
Server=localhostSQLEXPRESS;Database=master;Trusted_Connection=True;
answered Jul 1, 2022 at 15:17
AnindyaAnindya
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my problem was that when connecting to SQL Database in the add reference wizard, to find the SERVERNAME. i found it by: running a query(SELECT @@SERVERNAME) inside SQL management studio and the reusl was my servername. I put that in my server name box and it worked all fine.
answered Jul 22, 2015 at 9:05
1
Для выполнения запросов к локальной базе данных Microsoft SQL Server из программы необходимо знать имя экземпляра сервера. Из статьи вы узнаете, как его получить.
Способ первый. Самый надежный
В Microsoft SQL Server предусмотрен специальный SQL запрос, возвращающий имя экземпляра сервера:
Выполнив данный запрос, например, в SQL Server Management Studio, вы получите имя вашего экземпляра сервера.
В данном случае было возвращено имя установленного экземпляра Microsoft SQL Server равное: SQLEXPRESS.
Способ второй
Другим способом получения имени SQL-сервера является поиск записи службы SQL Server.
Запустите классическое приложение Windows «Службы» на вашем компьютере и найдите в списке служб объект SQL Server.
В скобках будет указано имя экземпляра.
В этом же меню можно остановить, запустить и перезапустить экземпляр установленного Microsoft SQL Server.
Стоит отметить, что второй способ получения имени сервера — менее достоверен. В скобках не всегда указано истинное имя сервера, пригодное для обращения к нему при подключении. Поэтому при наличии возможности лучше всего использовать первый способ получения имени с помощью SQL-запроса.
В современных версиях MS SQl кроме имени сервера есть еще понятие экземпляра SQL сервера. С учетом этого строка для подключения к MS SQL выглядит так:
<имя сервера><имя экземпляра>
Если экземпляра нет, а такое то же может быть, то его задавать не нужно.
На одном сервере может быть несколько экземпляров.
Имя экземпляра задается при установке MSSQL. Узнать его можно:
1.зайдя в настройки Служб Windows найдите там службу SQL Server в скобках будет указано имя экземпляр. Таких служб может быть несколько по одной на каждый экземпляр.
2.Зайдите в панели управления в настройки ODBC подключений, добавьте пользовательское подключение, выберите тип для SQL Server и дальше в мастере на первой, по моему, странице нужно будет указать сервер, если нажать на выпадающий список в этом пункте в списке будут перечислены все доступные экземпляры MS SQL. Этот список формируется динамически опросом сети.
3.есть и другие способы, но думаю этих будет достаточно.
I was just given a laptop to perform some development from a client and I am currently in the process of setting it up. Visual Studio 2010 is installed as well as SQL Server Management Studio 2008 R2. I’m trying to open SQL Server Management Studio to connect to the database but so far am not having much luck. I’m used typing in for a server name something like…
localhost
(local)
SQLEXPRESS
None of these are working.
So my question is: How can I tell what type of SQL Server installation and configuration I have on this machine, and how can I discover what server name I need to use in order to properly connect to it?
–Addition——————————————–
I looked into the services as directed and found a few instances as indicated. SQLEXPRESS and MSSQLSERVER. I have tried to login with both of those options in these configurations…
SQLEXPRESS
MSSQLSERVER
computernameSQLEXPRESS
computernameMSSQLSERVER
.SQLEXPRESS
.MSSQLSERVER
None of these worked. I also altered the ‘Log On As’ property of the services from ‘Network Service’ to ‘Local System’ and tried them again. Still no success.
There are multiple ways on getting the SQL Server instance name. You can refer any of below methods.
Below example were tested on SQL Server 2012 R2 version but the steps will be similar to other SQL Server versions.
Method 1
Launch the SQL Server Management Studio. You will get the Connect to Server dialog box. From here, you can obtain the instance name, which is at the Server name.
If it’s does not appear, click on Server name drill down list and click Browse for more. Once clicked, you will get below screen and you will get the instance name under the Database Engine.
Method 2
Use below query.
Method 3
Login to the SQL server operating system, open the command prompt and execute below command line.
Method 4
Open the SQL Server Configuration Manager, click on SQL Server Services and double click on SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER).
Go to Service tab and you will get the instance name from here, as per below screenshot.
