Network configuration for SQL Server is done using SQL Server Configuration Manager.
SQL Server must be restarted to enable or disable the protocol.
Generally, TCP/IP is preferred in a slow LAN, WAN, or dial-up network, whereas named pipes can be a better choice when network speed is not the issue, as it offers more functionality, ease of use, and configuration options.
Generally, TCP/IP is preferred in a slow LAN, WAN, or dial-up network, whereas named pipes can be a better choice when network speed is not the issue, as it offers more functionality, ease of use, and configuration options.
By default, the default instance of the Database Engine listens on TCP port 1433.
You can configure the TCP/IP protocol to listen on a designated port
Named Pipe
You can configure the named pipe protocol to listen on a designated named pipe.
By default, the default instance of SQL Server Database Engine listens on pipe \\.\pipe\sql\query for the default instance and \\.\pipe\MSSQL$
Shared Memory
Shared memory is the simplest protocol to use and has no configurable settings. Because clients using the shared memory protocol can only connect to a Microsoft SQL Server instance running on the same computer, it is not useful for most database activity. Use the shared memory protocol for troubleshooting when you suspect the other protocols are configured incorrectly.
| Edition | New installation vs. previous installation is present | Shared memory | TCP/IP | Named pipes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise | New installation | Enabled | Enabled | Disabled for network connections. |
| Standard | New installation | Enabled | Enabled | Disabled for network connections. |
| Web | New installation | Enabled | Enabled | Disabled for network connections. |
| Developer | New installation | Enabled | Disabled | Disabled for network connections. |
| Evaluation | New installation | Enabled | Enabled | Disabled for network connections. |
| SQL Server Express | New installation | Enabled | Disabled | Disabled for network connections. |
| All editions | Previous installation is present but is not being upgraded. | Same as new installation | Same as new installation | Same as new installation |
| All editions | Upgrade | Enabled | Settings from the previous installation are preserved. | Settings from the previous installation are preserved. |
