I want to create a sqlserver with named instances for developing connectivity from a python client to such instances. Is there a way to do this for free, i.e can i deploy SQL Servers with named instances without any cost for testing purposes.

Hi, kaif khan Welcome to the Microsoft SQL Server Q&A forum！ Find the SQL Server Installation Center in the Start menu. Select the installation media; it is recommended to choose the Express edition, which can meet general development needs. When adding a new instance, pay attention to selecting the Named instance. Best Regards, Mikey Qiao If you're satisfied with the answer, don't forget to "Accept it," as this will help others who have similar questions to yours.

You can install up to 50 named instances per machine and for this you can also use the free Express Edition, see https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/sql-server/install/work-with-multiple-versions-and-instances-of-sql-server?view=sql-server-ver16

How to deploy a SQLServer with named instances.

Accepted answer

MikeyQiaoMSFT-0444 1,925 Reputation points

2024-06-04T06:19:24.31+00:00

Hi,kaif khan

Welcome to the Microsoft SQL Server Q&A forum！

Find the SQL Server Installation Center in the Start menu.

Select the installation media; it is recommended to choose the Express edition, which can meet general development needs.

When adding a new instance, pay attention to selecting the Named instance.

Best Regards,

Mikey Qiao

If you're satisfied with the answer, don't forget to "Accept it," as this will help others who have similar questions to yours.
Please sign in to rate this answer.

1 person found this answer helpful.
kaif khan 20 Reputation points

2024-06-04T08:33:17.6966667+00:00

Is there i way i can do this on linux machine.

Olaf Helper 43,331 Reputation points

2024-06-04T08:37:38.08+00:00

Named / multiple instances are not supported on Linux, see

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/linux/sql-server-linux-faq?view=sql-server-ver16

=>Administration

Does SQL Server on Linux support multiple instances on the same host?

No, we don't support multiple instances on the same host machine

kaif khan 20 Reputation points

2024-06-04T08:58:22.75+00:00

okay, is there a way to have a sqlserver instance on windows machine for feww, i would need that just for few hours for testing something

MikeyQiaoMSFT-0444 1,925 Reputation points

2024-06-04T09:19:16.46+00:00

kaif khan

On Windows, SQL Server has two recommended versions available for download: Express and Developer. The former offers fundamental relational database capabilities, while the latter provides developers with more optional features but is not to be used for production purposes. If it's just for development and testing, it is recommended to download the Developer version.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sql-server

Olaf Helper 43,331 Reputation points

2024-06-04T09:25:07.6833333+00:00

As I wrote, you can use the free Express Edition of SQL Server.

kaif khan 20 Reputation points

2024-06-04T10:53:05.2466667+00:00

okay, can you also help me with python connection string for connecting to named instances

kaif khan 20 Reputation points

2024-06-04T10:58:42.3166667+00:00

one more follow up question, can a linux client (sqlcmd, pyodbc or anything) be used to connect to a named instance running on windows machine ??

MikeyQiaoMSFT-0444 1,925 Reputation points

2024-06-05T02:52:11.26+00:00

Hi，kaif khan

okay, can you also help me with python connection string for connecting to named instances

Here are two recommended Python drivers: pymssql and pyodbc. The documentation contains detailed steps.

can a linux client (sqlcmd, pyodbc or anything) be used to connect to a named instance running on windows machine ??

Sure you can.

For the download and use of sqlcmd, please refer to the official documentation：

https://learn.microsoft.com/zh-cn/sql/tools/sqlcmd/sqlcmd-utility?view=sql-server-ver16&tabs=go%2Clinux&pivots=cs1-bash#download-and-install-sqlcmd

https://learn.microsoft.com/zh-cn/sql/tools/sqlcmd/sqlcmd-connect-database-engine?view=sql-server-ver16&source=recommendations

Install the Microsoft ODBC driver for SQL Server (Linux)

install the unixODBC Driver Manager

Using pyodbc on Linux:

Ensure that unixODBC and Microsoft ODBC Driver for SQL Server are installed on your Linux system,

then install pyodbc

import pyodbc server = 'server_name\instance_name' database = 'database_name' username = 'username' password = 'password' cnxn = pyodbc.connect('DRIVER={ODBC Driver 17 for SQL Server};SERVER=' + server + ';DATABASE=' + database + ';UID=' + username + ';PWD=' + password) cursor = cnxn.cursor()

kaif khan 20 Reputation points

2024-06-05T04:41:50.22+00:00

I tried connection with sqlcmd, it returned, with hostname as 172.208.38.3\KAIFKHAN
no instance matching 'KAIFKHAN' returned from host '172.208.38.3'.
How do debug this.

Olaf Helper 43,331 Reputation points

2024-06-05T05:21:42.2733333+00:00

okay, can you also help me with python connection string for connecting to named instances

You only have to modify the server name (data source), that's all.

MikeyQiaoMSFT-0444 1,925 Reputation points

2024-06-05T05:34:45.2566667+00:00

Hi，kaif khan

Could you provide the complete command? Use SQL Server Configuration Manager on Windows to check the existing instances and ensure the instance name is correct.

MikeyQiaoMSFT-0444 1,925 Reputation points

2024-06-05T06:19:38.8466667+00:00

Hi，kaif khan

Considering you have already started a new thread for this connectivity issue, to ensure the quality of responses and thread resources, we will consider closing this thread. We suggest that you choose the answer that satisfies you and "Accept it“. as this will greatly encourage us and allow us to focus more on the new thread you have raised.

We will continue to follow up！: )

kaif khan 20 Reputation points

2024-06-05T07:07:46.9666667+00:00

sqlcmd -S 52.224.240.5\KAIFKHAN -U kaif -d master.

giving this error
no instance matching 'KAIFKHAN' returned from host '52.224.240.5'

no instance matching 'KAIFKHAN' returned from host '52.224.240.5'

MikeyQiaoMSFT-0444 1,925 Reputation points

2024-06-05T07:54:24.6866667+00:00

Ensure that your computer's firewall is turned off.

Make sure that the TCP/IP corresponding to the instance in SSCM is enabled.

Confirm that the host address is correct.

4.If the IP address is correct, try to ping the IP address to see if it is accessible.

kaif khan 20 Reputation points

2024-06-05T10:48:57.3433333+00:00

Disabling firewall worked, thanks.

MikeyQiaoMSFT-0444 1,925 Reputation points

2024-06-06T01:26:51.5133333+00:00

Hi，kaif khan

I am very happy to hear that you have solved the problem. We believe this is a valuable thread, and we would greatly appreciate it if you could Accept the answer. This will make a significant contribution to the development of the forum, and we welcome you to pose new questions.

MikeyQiaoMSFT-0444 1,925 Reputation points

2024-06-06T09:38:10.4+00:00

Hi，kaif khan My brother, I have been waiting for your response; this thread can serve as a good reference for others looking for a solution.
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How to deploy a SQLServer with named instances.

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