How to: Connect to the Database Engine Using sqlcmd.exe
SQL Server supports client communication with the TCP/IP network protocol (the default), the named pipes protocol, and the VIA 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 How to: Create 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. For more information, see How to: Configure a Client to Use Specific Network Protocol (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:127.0.0.1,1433Connect 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\queryConnect 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:ComputerAConnect to a named instance:
sqlcmd -S lpc:ComputerA\<instancename>
To connect using VIA
Connect using one of the following general syntax:
sqlcmd -S via:<computer name>,<port number>,<NIC number>Connect to the default instance:
sqlcmd -S via:ComputerA,1433,0Connect to a named instance:
sqlcmd -S via:ComputerA,1691,0
Important
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.
Note
If complete connection information is not provided, SQL Server Browser will provide connection information for the default port and NIC, if it is running.
Note
This topic only discusses the connectivity options for the sqlcmd utility. There are many additional parameters available for the sqlcmd utility. For more information, see sqlcmd Utility.