SQL Server Configuration Manager General Information

SQL Server Configuration Manager	Installing SQL Server Configuration Manager
Accessing SQL Server Configuration Manager	Enable TCP/IP Protocol
Verify TCP Dynamic Ports	Windows Authentication Method
SQL Server Authentication	Changing Authentication Method

SQL Server Configuration Manager

SQL Server Configuration Manager is a tool to manage the services associated with SQL Server, to configure the network protocols used by SQL Server, and to manage the network connectivity configuration from SQL Server client computers. SQL Server Configuration Manager is a Microsoft^® Management Console snap-in available from the Start menu, or you can add it to any other Microsoft Management Console display.

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Installing SQL Server Configuration Manager

Note:

You must install Configuration Manager for the 2005 SQL Server Express version exclusively in the SQL Server 2005 Express Edition with Advanced Services package. You cannot download and install it individually. For the 2008 SQL Server Express version, Configuration Manager comes with SQL Server Database with Management Tools.

Take the following steps to manually install SQL Server Configuration Manager 2008:

1. Open a web browser and go to the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Express Edition with Advanced Services page.
2. Select Install under Management Tools.

Microsoft Web Platform Installer automates the remainder of the installation.

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Accessing SQL Server Configuration Manager

Take the following steps to access the SQL Server Configuration Manager:

1. Click Start.
2. Select All Programs.
3. Select Microsoft SQL Server 200X.
4. Select Configuration Tools.
5. Select SQL Server Configuration Tools.
6. Select SQL Server Configuration Manager.

Take the following steps to access the SQL Server Configuration Manager via Computer Manager:

1. Click the Windows key + R to open the Run window.
2. Type compmgmt.msc in the Open: box.
3. Click OK.
4. Expand Services and Applications.
5. Expand SQL Server Configuration Manager.

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Enable TCP/IP Protocol

Take the following steps to enable TCP/IP protocol:

1. Open SQL Server Configuration Manager.
2. Expand SQL Server Network Configuration.
3. Select Protocols for XX.
4. Right-click TCP/IP and  select Enable.

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Verify TCP Dynamic Ports

Take the following steps to verify TCP dynamic ports:

1. Open SQL Server Configuration Manager.
2. Expand SQL Server Network Configuration.
3. Select Protocols for SQL (or SQLEXPRESS).
4. Right-click TCP/IP and select Properties.
5. Select the IP Addresses tab.
6. Verify TCP Dynamic Ports under IPAll.

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Windows Authentication Method

When you connect through a Windows user account, SQL Server validates the account name and password using the Windows principal token in the operating system. This means that Windows confirms your user identity. SQL Server does not ask for the password, and does not perform the identity validation. Windows Authentication is the default authentication mode, and is much more secure than SQL Server Authentication. A connection made using Windows Authentication is sometimes called a trusted connection, because SQL Server trusts the credentials Windows provides.

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SQL Server Authentication

When using SQL Server Authentication, the SQL Server creates sign-ins that are not based on Windows user accounts. The SQL Server creates and stores both the user name and the password. When connecting using SQL Server Authentication, you must provide credentials (name and password) every time that you connect. When using SQL Server Authentication, you must set strong passwords for all SQL Server accounts.

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Changing Authentication Method

Take the following steps to change your authentication method:

1. Open SQL Server Management Studio.
2. Right-click the server in Object Explorer
3. Select Properties.
4. Select Security.
5. Change the authentication to Windows Authentication or to SQL Server and Windows Authentication (Mixed).
6. Select OK.

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