I have a paid for SQL Server 2008 R2 already installed and the network server is somewhere on this globe (Be great if someone could tell me how to find the name of it?) and also at work we have our own Domain Server, which I can connect to via VPN at home. (Before anyone says this again, yes I know I can install express on a different machine but part of my internship is learning this, there’s no way I’m carrying two laptops, have you commuted through London? Wearing a swim suit could make you too big to get on a tube.)
The Deal:
I downloaded sequel server again, by default already, but to double check, it was a ‘Named Instance’ such as SQLexpress1 and I gave it ‘Windows Authentication. I created a bunch of local users (Guided From tutorials but there was mention about not being in a DOMAIN) as I’m hoping to turn my machine into the local server as I don’t want this instance connecting to any network. I just want to have the database saved on my laptop and open it up in ssms and start going Chuck Norris with code.
The Problem:
I open up ssms, log in using the server name like “UKLONN10532\SQLEXPRESS2” all great. I can attach a sample database but when I log out and go home and access my database I get this error, text down below. Even when I log into VPN and in my own domain is doesn’t work, and even if I go back into work it still doesn’t work, it seems broken permanently. I’ve done re-installations 4 times, every time I can create an instance, log in and out fine when at work or home, but when I access at another location it doesn’t work (Btw I attempted this at home with all internet off and it worked at home and at work for two days then suddenly stopped giving me access but I might have been hibernating my machine, not sure) so it seems that however I install it, if I cross over from work to home and vice versa, a problem arises.
I just want another SQL Server unrelated to work or any network as the database will be saved in my C: drive so I need my machine to act like it is the server. I simply want a database I can apply my learning to but it seems that using the same SSMS for two databases is conflicting.
Many Thanks,
Error Statment
Cannot connect to UKLONN10532\SQLEXPRESS2. Additional Information: A
network related or instance specific error occurred while establishing
a connection to sql server. The server was not found or was not
accessible. Verify that the instance name is correct and that sql
server is configured to allow remote connections. (Provider : SQL
Network interfaces, error: 26 – error locating server/instance
specified)(Microsoft sql server)
Off guess check your SQL Server Configuration Manager and make sure that your instance is up and running. Here is a link where Pinal Dave talks about a similar error and goes through in detail how to check to make sure the instance is up and a number of other troubleshooting steps you should try.
http://blog.sqlauthority.com/2009/05/21/sql-server-fix-error-provider-named-pipes-provider-error-40-could-not-open-a-connection-to-sql-server-microsoft-sql-server-error/