What are difference between Default instance and Named instance in SQL Server?


A SQL Server installation is referred to as an instance. Up to and including SQL Server 7.0, only one installation of SQL Server was possible on a server, but that restriction didn’t suit a number of deployment scenarios that customers required, including high-availability and consolidation.

With the release of SQL Server 2000, multiple installations of SQL Server were possible on a single server and were known as SQL Server instances. SQL Server 2008 continues with this model and with very few changes.
A default instance has much the same profile that SQL Server installations have had in past; you install SQL Server and then connect using the computer name of the server. Your Windows Server can only have one computer name, so you can only use it to connect to one SQL Server instance. This is called the default instance.

If you install additional instances of SQL Server, these are referred to as named instances. You connect to them using the <computername><instancename> format. For example, if you have a server named PLUTO and you install a named instance named SQL1, you would connect to that instance using PLUTOSQL1. If you installed another named instance called SQL2, you would connect using PLUTO SQL2. If you had a default instance installed, you would connect using PLUTO.

Each instance is completely independent of any other instance and has its own set of services, databases, and configuration settings. All the components of a single instance are managed together, and service packs and patches are applied to all components within an instance.

During the installation process you have to specify a unique instance ID, which is used to define the directory structure, registry structure, and service names for that instance. This is new in SQL Server 2008. By default, the instance name that you specified is used as the instance ID. For the default instance, MSSQLSERVER is used as the instance ID.

for more info

http://windows-scripting.org/2010/10/18/instances-versu-default-instance-in-sql-server-2008/ 
and 
http://serverfault.com/questions/80767/what-are-named-and-default-instance

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

SharePoint Locale ID (LCID) Table

SharePoint Locale ID (LCID) Table Windows uses a Locale Identifier (LCID) to determine the language and culture to use when displaying information to a user.  The users LCID is picked up from his/her regional settings within windows or from the language settings for the browser.  The application then displays resources, number and date formatting according to the the local.  This post lists a table of LCID's, the short name and full name of each locale. All products, such as SharePoint, SQL, .NET all use this to assist with formatting.  As this post is focusing on LCIDS in SharePoint, there are several folders within the 12 hive that allow you to globalise and localise your application. \BIN\ LCID SharePoint deploys local specific dll's for custom messages used within the SharePoint framework.  You will typically not be updating this folder with your own DLL's. \HCCab \ LCID You are able to create and deploy your own help files that integrate into th...
Read more

Singapore Visa - Types and Its Basics

Singapore Visas Singapore is a popular employment destination for nationals of both underdeveloped and top-tier countries, not only for the well-educated top earners but also for people looking for a simple though decently paid job. Singapore’s advanced employment legislation, multiethnic society, high quality of life and security urged lots of foreigners to pursue employment in this country even now after the government of Singapore has made qualification for all working visas a more complex undertaking.  Visa Types Employment Pass (EP) : Designed for Most skilled foreign man power. Suits for professional, manager, executives SG based company only doesn’t have a quota that would limit the number of hires on the EP Issued EP is bound to a specific SG-based company, and the employee cannot swap jobs: he/she would need a new EP for every new employer. Maximum validity of the first visa issuance is 1-2 years. Later, it can be prolonged for 3 years more if the company and t...
Read more