Use SQL Server Configuration Manager to enable or disable the protocols used by SQL Server, and to configure the options available for the protocols. More than one protocol can be enabled. You must enable all protocols that you want clients to use. All protocols have equal access to the server. For information about which protocols you should use, see Choosing a Network Protocol. For more information, see also How to: Enable or Disable a Server Network Protocol (SQL Server Configuration Manager).
Changing a Port
You can configure TCP/IP and VIA protocols to listen on a designated port. By default, the default instance of the Database Engine listens on TCP port 1433. Named instances of the Database Engine and SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP1 are configured for dynamic ports. This means they select an available port when the SQL Server service is started. The SQL Server Browser service helps clients identify the port when they connect.
When configured for dynamic ports, the port used by SQL Server may change each time it is started. When connecting to SQL Server through a firewall, you must open the port used by SQL Server. Configure SQL Server to use a specific port, so you can configure the firewall to allow communication to the server. For more information, see How to: Configure a Server to Listen on a Specific TCP Port (SQL Server Configuration Manager).
Changing a Named Pipe
You can configure the named pipe protocol to listen on a designated named pipe. By default, the default instance of SQL Server Database Engine listens on pipe \\.\pipe\sql\query for the default instance and \\.\pipe\MSSQL$<instancename>\sql\query for a named instance. The Database Engine can only listen on one named pipe, but you can change the pipe to another name if you wish. The SQL Server Browser service helps clients identify the pipe when they connect. For more information, see How to: Configure a Server to Listen on an Alternate Pipe (SQL Server Configuration Manager).