Localdb linked servers - sql

Question

I'm trying to replicate a production environment locally and the production database uses a linked server. I've been able to create multiple instances of localdb; is it possible to create a linkedserver between localdb instances? If not, what other options do I have available (ideally without having to use a full sql instance).

Answer 1

Not sure if it's bad form to answer your own question but in case anyone else has the same issue in the future, it turns out it is possible and pretty straight forward. Once you've created your new instance of localdb, use this:
USE master
IF EXISTS(SELECT * from sys.servers WHERE name = N'{serverName}')
BEGIN
DECLARE #serverId INT
SELECT #serverId = server_id FROM sys.servers WHERE name = N'{serverName}'
IF EXISTS(SELECT * FROM sys.linked_logins WHERE server_id = #serverId)
BEGIN
EXEC sp_droplinkedsrvlogin '{serverName}', null
END
EXEC sp_dropserver '{serverName}'
END
EXEC sp_addlinkedserver
#server=N'{serverName}',
#provider=N'SQLNCLI',
#srvproduct=N'',
#datasrc=N'{dataSource}';
EXEC sp_addlinkedsrvlogin
#rmtsrvname=N'{serverName}',
#useself='true'

Answer 2

To expand on Dave's auto-answer a little...
If the remote database has not been attached to its instance yet, it will be necessary to include additional connection details in the Provider String argument of sp_addlinked server.
EXEC sp_addlinkedserver
#server=N'{serverName}',
#provider=N'SQLNCLI',
#srvproduct=N'',
#datasrc=N'{dataSource}'
#provstr=N'{providerString}';
In my case I used:
{dataSource} = (LocalDB)\MSSQLLocalDB
{providerString} = AttachDbFileName=C:\Temp\Test.mdf;Integrated Security=True