Connecting to database without instance name

Question

When I'm trying to connect to my database, I need to provide the instance name like so:

192.168.10.10\SQLEXPRESS

I'd like to be able to just connect to my database without having to type the instance name, like so:

192.168.10.10

How can I accomplish this? I'm using SQL Server 2008 Express R2

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Nov 14 '12 at 05:13

1

That's not a server name, it's an instance name, and it's necessary, as there may be several SQL instances running on a single server.

answered Nov 14 '12 at 05:13

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Sorry, I meant instance name. What I want to do is set a default instance but the only way I know to do this is to do a complete reinstallation of SQL Server 2008. I was hoping for a better solution. – l46kok Nov 14 '12 at 06:38

score 0 · Answer 2 · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:14

You cannot change the default instance for a host. The default instance is always the "unnamed instance".

You can fiddle with things on the client side of the connection by setting up an alias. See this ServerFault answer. This solution works fine in a development or testing environment, or if you have a small number of computers connecting to a production database. If you have a large number of computers connecting to the database, getting the configuration right on each computer can be onerous without some sort of automation/scripting.

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Nov 14 '12 at 15:47

As I see it, you have two options:

1) Reinstall SQL Express and choose the option to name the instance. Choose the Default Instance option, or type in MSSQLSERVER (which is the default instance's real name).

2) Connect into the instance on its assigned port number. Each SQL instance is assigned a dynamic port number, so you should set a static port number for the instance in SQL Server Configuration Manager. Then connect to it via a connection string like 192.168.10.10;1443

Connecting to database without instance name

3 Answers3