What is the Difference Between Default Instance and Named Instance in SQL Server

A named instance is identified by the network name of the computer plus the instance name that you specify during installation. The client must specify both the server name and the instance name when connecting. By default, SQL Server installs in the default instance unless you specify an instance name.

1. What is default SQL Server instance name?
2. How do I find the default SQL Server instance?
3. How do I change the default SQL Server instance name?
4. What is server name and instance name in SQL Server?
5. What is the difference between default and named instance?
6. What is a SQL Server named instance?
7. How do I find the instance name of my local SQL Server?
8. How do I find the SQL Server instance name?
9. How do I connect to a SQL Server named instance?
10. How do I change the instance name of default instance in SQL Server 2016?
11. How many SQL instances can be installed in a server?
12. Can I change SQL Server name?

What is default SQL Server instance name?

The default instance actually has an instance name. It's MSSQLSERVER.

How do I find the default SQL Server instance?

Go to the tab IP Address and look for the property TCP Dynamic Ports. This is the port to which the SQL browser will listen. It will determine which instance the client tries to reach. The Default Instance of SQL Server will always be listed under port 1433.

How do I change the default SQL Server instance name?

Rename or Change SQL Server Standalone Default Instance

1. Step 1 : Check Current Instance & host name. ...
2. Step 2 : Rename Host name & reboot the server.
3. Step 3 : Try to connect with SQL server admin-0783e4076 & you will face below error because no instance of server name [ADMIN-0783E4076] exists as server name got changed.

What is server name and instance name in SQL Server?

Server name is your machine name; instance name is the same with server name when sql server is installed as a default instance and has got "computer_name\instance_name" name when sql has been installed as a named instance.

What is the difference between default and named instance?

Difference Between Default Instance and Named Instance

A default instance is a type of instance that is used when installing a single instance of SQL server. In contrast, a named instance is a type of instance where the user specifies an instance name when installing the instance.

What is a SQL Server named instance?

Microsoft SQL Server (MS-SQL) has a feature called named instances. This feature allows you to run multiple databases on the same host (or clustered hosts) with separate settings. Each db (database) instance runs on its own port.

How do I find the instance name of my local SQL Server?

To get the instance names, go to Start | Run | type Services. msc and look for all entries with "Sql Server (Instance Name)". This will list the instance names you have installed locally.

How do I find the SQL Server instance name?

Step 1 -Open a command prompt window on the machine in which SQL is installed. Go to Start → Run, type cmd, and hit enter to open the command prompt. Step 2 -SQLCMD -S servername\instancename (where servernameb= the name of your server, and instancename is the name of the SQL instance). The prompt will change to 1→.

How do I connect to a SQL Server named instance?

If the instance of SQL Server is a named instance (such as SQLEXPRESS), then specify the name of the computer where SQL Server is installed, or the IP address of the computer, and add a slash and the instance name. The following examples connect to an instance of SQL Server running on a computer named APPHOST.

How do I change the instance name of default instance in SQL Server 2016?

1. Open SQL Server Configuration Manager.
2. Click SQL Server Network Configuration.
3. Click Protocols for INSTANCENAME you want to make available (i.e. SQLExpress)
4. Right-click TCP/IP and click Enabled.
5. Right-click TCP/IP and go to Properties. ...
6. Go to SQL Server Services.
7. Right-click your SQL Server (INSTANCENAME) and click Restart.

How many SQL instances can be installed in a server?

You can install as many as 50 SQL Server instances on a Windows Server; obviously, we do not recommend this. In a Windows failover cluster, the maximum number of SQL Server instances is reduced by half if you're using shared cluster drives.

Can I change SQL Server name?

To change the name of a server

In Registered Servers, expand Database Engine and then Local Server Groups. Right-click a server and select Properties to open the Edit Server Registration Properties dialog window. In the Registered server name text box, type the new name for the server registration, and then click Save.