How to Download and Use SQL Server Configuration Manager: Your Ultimate Guide

Welcome, Dev! Are you struggling with configuring your Microsoft SQL Server? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In this journal article, we’ll guide you through the process of downloading and using SQL Server Configuration Manager.

What is SQL Server Configuration Manager?

SQL Server Configuration Manager is a tool that helps configure and manage SQL Server services on the local machine or a remote server. It allows you to enable, disable, and configure network protocols, set service accounts, and configure other settings.

If you’re using SQL Server 2014 or above, SQL Server Configuration Manager is no longer included in the SQL Server installation media. Instead, you need to download and install it separately.

How to Download SQL Server Configuration Manager

Before we dive into the details of using SQL Server Configuration Manager, let’s first discuss how to download it. Follow these steps:

Step
Description
Step 1
Open your web browser and go to the Microsoft Download Center website.
Step 2
In the search box, type “SQL Server Configuration Manager” and press enter.
Step 3
Select the appropriate version of SQL Server Configuration Manager for your operating system and click the “Download” button.
Step 4
Once the download is complete, double-click the downloaded file to begin the installation process.

Using SQL Server Configuration Manager

Now that you have downloaded and installed SQL Server Configuration Manager, let’s learn how to use it. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Open SQL Server Configuration Manager

To open SQL Server Configuration Manager, follow these steps:

Step
Description
Step 1
Click the “Start” button.
Step 2
Type “SQL Server Configuration Manager” in the search box and press enter.
Step 3
Click the “SQL Server Configuration Manager” app from the search results.

Step 2: Enable Network Protocols

If you want to configure network protocols, follow these steps:

Step
Description
Step 1
Expand the “SQL Server Network Configuration” node.
Step 2
Select the instance you want to configure.
Step 3
Right-click the protocol you want to enable and click “Enable”.

Step 3: Set Service Accounts

If you want to configure service accounts, follow these steps:

Step
Description
Step 1
Expand the “SQL Server Services” node.
Step 2
Select the SQL Server service you want to configure.
Step 3
Right-click the service and click “Properties”.
Step 4
Click the “Log On” tab.
Step 5
Select the service account you want to use.
Step 6
Enter the password for the selected service account.

Step 4: Configure Other Settings

If you want to configure other settings, follow these steps:

Step
Description
Step 1
Select the instance you want to configure.
Step 2
Right-click the instance and click “Properties”.
Step 3
Configure the settings on the various tabs as necessary.

FAQ

Why do I need to download SQL Server Configuration Manager separately?

Starting with SQL Server 2014, SQL Server Configuration Manager is no longer included in the SQL Server installation media. This is because SQL Server now uses the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) provider to manage SQL Server services, which allows for more flexibility and consistency.

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Can I use SQL Server Configuration Manager to manage remote servers?

Yes, you can use SQL Server Configuration Manager to manage remote servers as long as you have the appropriate permissions and can access the server over the network.

What is a service account?

A service account is a Windows account that is used to run a Windows service. In the case of SQL Server, the service account is used to run the SQL Server service. It is important to choose a secure and appropriate service account to ensure the security and stability of your SQL Server instance.

What are network protocols?

Network protocols are the communication protocols that SQL Server uses to communicate with client applications over the network. Examples of network protocols include TCP/IP, Named Pipes, and Shared Memory.

How do I determine which network protocol to use?

The network protocol you use depends on your specific network configuration and requirements. TCP/IP is the most commonly used network protocol for SQL Server, but other protocols may be more appropriate depending on your network topology and security requirements.