Scan for SQL servers on network

Question

Hi,

I would like to scan our corporate network and find all running SQL servers. I tried SQLCMD -L, but it doesn't show me any information at all. Also tried [System.Data.Sql.SqlDataSourceEnumerator]::Instance.GetDataSources() within PS, but also no results.
Can somebody assist me in getting the info? Or there another easy way to find the SQL servers?
I tried also MAP but I would like to scan the network without any tool.

kind regards
Marco

Answer 1

It depends on what exactly you are trying to find out.

If you are wanting to know if SQL Server is installed, there is not a real way to do that from a PC connected to the network. There are many reasons a SQL Server would not show up in your list. You would have to use an "inventory scanner", like SCOM or MAP, which scans a machine for applications.

If you are trying to find how to connect to a remote SQL Server, again, there is no way to do that from a PC. There are some ways to "listen" to browser broadcasts, but those are not reliable and can be turned off.

Answer 2

Hi @Anonymous ,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A!
You can reinstall sqlcmd and ensure to match your current computer: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/tools/sqlcmd-utility?view=sql-server-ver15https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/tools/sqlcmd-utility?view=sql-server-ver15
Also you can install the latest CU16: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/kb5011644-cumulative-update-16-for-sql-server-2019-74377be1-4340-4445-93a7-ff843d346896
Finally, i put the document about MAP here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/archive/blogs/markm/inventorying-sql-servers-with-the-microsoft-assessment-and-planning-toolkit-map

Best regards,
Seeya

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