Page 121 - DCAP508_DATABASE_ADMINISTRATION

Unit 8: Configuring SQL Server Network Communication

8.1 Network Protocols Notes

SQL Server provides support for four network protocols.
To connect to SQL Server Database Engine you must have a network protocol enabled.
Microsoft SQL Server can service requests on several protocols at the same time. Clients connect
to SQL Server with a single protocol. If the client program does not know which protocol SQL
Server is listening on, configure the client to sequentially try multiple protocols. Use SQL Server
Configuration Manager to enable, disable, and configure network protocols.

8.1.1 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 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.

Notes Clients that use MDAC 2.8 or earlier cannot use shared memory protocol. If these
clients try this, they are automatically switched to the named pipes protocol.

8.1.2 TCP/IP

TCP/IP is a common protocol widely used over the Internet. It communicates across
interconnected networks of computers that have diverse hardware architectures and various
operating systems. TCP/IP includes standards for routing network traffic and offers advanced
security features. It is the most popular protocol that is used in business today. Configuring
your computer to use TCP/IP can be complex, but most networked computers are already
correctly configured.

8.1.3 Named Pipes

Named Pipes is a protocol developed for local area networks. A part of memory is used by one
process to pass information to another process, so that the output of one is the input of the other.
The second process can be local (on the same computer as the first) or remote (on a networked
computer).

8.1.4 VIA

Virtual Interface Adapter (VIA) protocol works with VIA hardware.

!

Caution The VIA protocol is deprecated. This feature will be removed in a future version
of Microsoft SQL Server. Avoid using this feature in new development work, and plan to
modify applications that currently use this feature.

Named Pipes vs. TCP/IP Sockets

In a fast local area network (LAN) environment, Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
(TCP/IP) Sockets and Named Pipes clients are comparable with regard to performance. However,
the performance difference between the TCP/IP Sockets and Named Pipes clients becomes

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