| title | Default SQL Server Network Protocol Configuration | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| description | View factors that affect whether network protocols are turned on or off during SQL Server installation. See how to configure protocols after installation. | ||
| author | rwestMSFT | ||
| ms.author | randolphwest | ||
| ms.date | 08/26/2025 | ||
| ms.service | sql | ||
| ms.subservice | configuration | ||
| ms.topic | conceptual | ||
| helpviewer_keywords |
|
[!INCLUDE SQL Server]
To enhance security, [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion_md] disables network connectivity for some new installations. Network connectivity using TCP/IP isn't disabled if you're using the Enterprise, Standard, Evaluation, or Workgroup edition, or if a previous installation of [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion_md] is present. For all installations, shared memory protocol is enabled to allow local connections to the server. The [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion_md] Browser service might be stopped, depending on installation conditions and installation options.
Use the [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion_md] Network Configuration node of [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion_md] Configuration Manager to configure the network protocols after installation. Use the [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion_md] Services node of [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion_md] Configuration Manager to configure the [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion_md] Browser service to start automatically. For more information, see Enable or disable a server network protocol.
The following table describes the configuration after installation.
| Edition | New installation vs. previous installation is present | Shared memory | TCP/IP | Named pipes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise | New installation | Enabled | Enabled | Disabled for network connections. |
| Standard | New installation | Enabled | Enabled | Disabled for network connections. |
| Web | New installation | Enabled | Enabled | Disabled for network connections. |
| Developer | New installation | Enabled | Disabled | Disabled for network connections. |
| Evaluation | New installation | Enabled | Enabled | Disabled for network connections. |
| SQL Server Express | New installation | Enabled | Disabled | Disabled for network connections. |
| All editions | Previous installation is present but isn't being upgraded. | Same as new installation | Same as new installation | Same as new installation. |
| All editions | Upgrade | Enabled | Settings from the previous installation are preserved. | Settings from the previous installation are preserved. |
If the instance is running on a [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion_md] failover cluster, it listens on those ports on each IP address selected for [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion_md] during [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion_md] setup.
Note
When you install [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion_md] with command-prompt arguments, you can specify the protocols to enable by using the TCPENABLED and NPENABLED parameters. For more information, see Install and configure SQL Server on Windows from the command prompt.
See the following articles for samples of connection strings:
- Creating a Valid Connection String Using Shared Memory Protocol
- Creating a Valid Connection String Using TCP IP
The [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion_md] Browser service can be configured to start automatically during setup. The default is to start automatically under the following conditions:
- When upgrading an installation.
- When installing side by side with another instance of [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion_md].
- When installing on a cluster.
- When installing a named instance of the Database Engine including all instances of [!INCLUDE ssexpress-md] edition.
- When installing a named instance of Analysis Services.