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Connect to the Database Engine With sqlcmd

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SQL Server supports client communication with the TCP/IP network protocol (the default), and the named pipes protocol. The shared memory protocol is also available if the client is connecting to an instance of the Database Engine on the same computer. There are three common methods of selecting the protocol. The protocol used by the sqlcmd utility is determined in the following order:

  • sqlcmd uses the protocol specified as part of the connection string as described below.

  • If no protocol is specified as part the connection string, sqlcmd will use the protocol defined as part of the alias that it is connecting to. To configure sqlcmd to use a specific network protocol by creating an alias, see Create or Delete a Server Alias for Use by a Client (SQL Server Configuration Manager).

  • If the protocol is not specified in some other way, sqlcmd will use the network protocol determined by the protocol order in SQL Server Configuration Manager.

The following examples show various ways of connecting to the default instance of Database Engine on port 1433, and named instances of Database Engine presumed to be listening on port 1691. Some of these examples use the IP address of the loopback adapter (127.0.0.1). Test using the IP address of your computer network interface card.

Connect to the Database Engine by specifying the instance name:

sqlcmd -S ComputerA  
sqlcmd -S ComputerA\instanceB

Connect to the Database Engine by specifying the IP address:

sqlcmd -S 127.0.0.1  
sqlcmd -S 127.0.0.1\instanceB

Connect to the Database Engine by specifying the TCP\IP port number:

sqlcmd -S ComputerA,1433  
sqlcmd -S ComputerA,1691  
sqlcmd -S 127.0.0.1,1433  
sqlcmd -S 127.0.0.1,1691

To connect using TCP/IP

  • Connect using the following general syntax:

    sqlcmd -S tcp:<computer name>,<port number>

  • Connect to the default instance:

    sqlcmd -S tcp:ComputerA,1433  
sqlcmd -S tcp:127.0.0.1,1433

  • Connect to a named instance:

    sqlcmd -S tcp:ComputerA,1691  
sqlcmd -S tcp:127.0.0.1,1691

To connect using named pipes

  • Connect using one of the following general syntax:

    sqlcmd -S np:\\<computer name>\<pipe name>

  • Connect to the default instance:

    sqlcmd -S np:\\ComputerA\pipe\sql\query  
sqlcmd -S np:\\127.0.0.1\pipe\sql\query

  • Connect to a named instance instance:

    sqlcmd -S np:\\ComputerA\pipe\MSSQL$<instancename>\sql\query  
sqlcmd -S np:\\127.0.0.1\pipe\MSSQL$<instancename>\sql\query

To connect using shared memory (a local procedure call) from a client on the server

  • Connect using one of the following general syntax:

    sqlcmd -S lpc:<computer name>

  • Connect to the default instance:

    sqlcmd -S lpc:ComputerA

  • Connect to a named instance:

    sqlcmd -S lpc:ComputerA\<instancename>