Fake the default instance with a named instance? - sql

Is there a way with the SQL Server (2008 or newer) to fake a connection to a named instance so that it appears to look like the default instance to applications?
I have an application that has many connection strings hard coded to a default instance, and I would like to run it on a named instance.
Thanks in advance for any help on this.

You can do this using an alias to create a common name for clients that can point to different instances:
Create or Delete a Server Alias for Use by a Client

Related

Connect to SQL Server instance AWS Glue

I need to connect to SQL Server from Glue via JDBC, can someone advise how to specify instance name in JDBC.
The following connection string works for the default instance however I need to pass instance name to it.
jdbc:sqlserver://xxx-cluster.cluster-xxx.us-east-1.rds.amazonaws.com:1433;databaseName=employee
This looks correct as your endpoint contains the instance address only.
What problem you are facing?

Rename SQL Server Express to (.) [duplicate]

I need to convert a named instance of SQL server 2005, to a default instance.
Is there a way to do this without a reinstall?
The problem is, 2 out of 6 of the developers, installed with a named instance. So its becoming a pain changing connection strings for the other 4 of us. I am looking for the path of least resistance to getting these 2 back on to our teams standard setup.
Each has expressed that this is going to be, too much trouble and that it will take away from their development time. I assumed that it would take some time to resolve, in the best interest of all involved, I tried combing through configuration apps installed and didn't see anything, so I figured someone with more knowledge of the inner workings would be here.
I also wanted to convert a named instance to default - my reason was to access it with just the machine name from various applications.
If you want to access a named instance from any connection string without using the instance name, and using only the server name and/or IP address, then you can do the following:
Open SQL Server Configuration Manager
Click SQL Server Network Configuration
Click Protocols for INSTANCENAME you want to make available (i.e. SQLExpress)
Right-click TCP/IP and click Enabled
Right-click TCP/IP and go to Properties
Go to the IP Addresses tab
Scroll down to the IPAll section
Clear the field TCP Dynamic Ports (i.e. empty/blank)
Set TCP Port to 1433
Click Ok
Go to SQL Server Services
Right-click your SQL Server (INSTANCENAME) and click Restart
This will make the named instance listen on the default port. Note : You can have only one instance configured like this - no two instances can have same port on the IP All section unless the instance is a failover cluster.
As far as I know, no. One reason is the folder structure on the hard drive; they will have a name like MSSQL10.[instancename]
This is why a lot of companies store their applications' connection strings at the machine level instead of the application level.
Just take the connection string out of the source code entirely. Then have everyone put their connection string in their machine.config.
This has the added benefit of avoiding unnecessary app-specific environment logic, i.e. when you copy your application to the staging server, the staging server already "knows" what database to use.
The only way to change the instance name is to re-install - uninstall and install as default instance.
A lot of times I'll use client alias to point an application at a different sql server than the ones it's connection string is for, esp. handy when working on DTS or an application with a hard coded connection string. Have everybody use a commonly named alias, use the alias in the connection string and point the alias’s on each dev box to the to the different instances. That way you won't have to worry about if the server is the default instance or not.
You shouldn't ever really need to do this. Most software that claims to require the default instance (like Great Plains or Dynamics) doesn't actually.
If you repost with your situation (installed X, then Y, but need to accomplish Z) I bet you'll get some good workarounds.
I think you can migrate your data from Sql Server without having default instance installed. You can just specify the port number of your Sql Server instance in Oracle Sql Developer and you can connect just using the server name, not using the server name and the instance.
Like this:
connect to "MYSERVER, 1433"

Change SQL server local name [duplicate]

This question already has answers here:
Changing SQL Server named instance to default instance
(4 answers)
Closed 9 years ago.
In my SQL Server 2005, i'm able to login with servername as " .\LOCAL ". How can i change this to " . "
I tried changing the sql server name using query *sp_dropserver and sp_addserver* but it's didn't work?
How can i change this?
Never had to do it, but this guide looks promising: http://www.mssqltips.com/sqlservertip/1620/how-to-setup-and-use-a-sql-server-alias/
It wouldn't be a true default instance, which ultimately may make things confusing, but installing a default instance may not be an option... If it is, by all means install the default instance, move your databases and remove the named.
You can't change a named instance to a default instance. The only way to do this is to install a default instance, then backup your databases and restore them (as well as logins, jobs, linked servers, etc).
Or an alternative so that your clients can think they are connecting to a default instance is to make the named instance listen on a fixed port and then create network aliases (using client network utility) on all the clients that will connect.

Problem connectiong to a SQL Server 2008 named instance using Hibernate

I'm using Hibernate to connect to an SQL Server 2008 named instance.
This works if I use the default instance name but not when using the "named" instance.
config.setProperty("hibernate.connection.url","jdbc:sqlserver://127.0.0.1\INSTANCE_NAME:1433;databaseName=DB_NAME;autoReconnect=true");
Any ideas why this happens?
Thanks in advance.
A named instance does not listen on port 1433, only the default instance
You should not need the :1433 bit
Default vs named instances is mentioned in the MS JDBC info on MSDN

SQL Server Default Instance: If you change host machine's name

Say I have a Server named "MyServerABC", on which I have Sql Server 2005 installed with a Default Instance. Thus I can always connect to my sql server just by specifying "MyServerABC".
Now, I change my server's name to "MyServerDEF". Will I now be able to connect to the sql server by just specifying "MyServerDEF"?
Are there any holes in my thinking? Is it really that simple, or are there additional steps involved, or potential problem areas?
Yes, that's correct from a remote connection view if you change MyServerABC to MyServerDEF in connection strings.
There are a few more things to consider (##SERVERNAME will not change by default for example) so have a look here: How to: Rename a Computer that Hosts a Stand-Alone Instance of SQL Server
Often, you'd use MyServerPermanentAlias as a network DNS entry too so the actual server name is irrelevant.
If you use the machine name to connect, you will have to change your connection strings. If that's what you are looking for, then yes, it's that easy - no additional steps needed.
That's why you can also use (local) or just "." as shortcuts for the local machine.
Marc