How to: Connect to the Database Engine Using sqlcmd.exe

SQL Server 2008 Books Online (October 2009)

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:127.0.0.1,1433

Connect 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\query

Connect 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:ComputerA
```
Connect 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,1433,0
```
Connect to a named instance:
```
sqlcmd -S via:ComputerA,1691,0
```

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.

Reference

Creating a Valid Connection String Using Shared Memory Protocol
Creating a Valid Connection String Using TCP/IP
Creating a Valid Connection String Using Named Pipes
Creating a Valid Connection String Using VIA Protocol

Help and Information

Getting SQL Server 2008 Assistance