Troubleshooting: SQL Server Connection Problems

After installing and configuring Microsoft Dynamics NAV software, you may not be able to connect the RoleTailored client to Microsoft Dynamics NAV Server. In this case you see an error message like the following when you attempt to start the RoleTailored client.

The program could not create a connection to the server. Do you want to try again?

This topic describes configuration changes that you can try to resolve SQL Server connection problems.

Enable Protocols in SQL Server Configuration Manager

SQL Server Configuration Manager is a tool for managing SQL Server services and network connectivity. You can use SQL Server Configuration Manager to enable and disable network protocols. For Microsoft Dynamics NAV to work correctly, the Named Pipes and TCP/IP protocols must be enabled for SQL Server.

Follow these steps to verify that these protocols are enabled or to enable them if they are currently disabled.

To enable Named Pipes and TCP/IP in SQL Server

  1. Start SQL Server Configuration Manager.

  2. Expand the SQL Server Network Configuration node in the tree view, and then choose Protocols for MSSQLSERVER.

  3. Under Protocol Name in the right pane, verify that Named Pipes and TCP/IP have the status Enabled.

  4. If either protocol is not enabled, right-click the protocol, and then choose Enable.

After exiting SQL Server Configuration Manager, start the RoleTailored client again to see if the connection problem has been resolved.

Allowing SQL Server with Windows Firewall

If Windows Firewall is running on the computer running SQL Server, then you must explicitly specify the SQL Server executable file as an allowed exception before you can connect to the Microsoft Dynamics NAV database.

To allow SQL Server with Windows Firewall

  1. In Control Panel, open Windows Firewall, choose Change settings, and then click the Exceptions tab.

  2. Choose Add program.

  3. Choose Browse, and then browse to the location of the SQL Server executable file (sqlservr.exe). The default location on a computer running Windows Server 2008 R2 is:

    C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10_50.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\Binn\sqlservr.exe
    
  4. Double-click the executable file to select it and to exit the Browse window, and then choose OK to close the Add a Program window.

  5. Choose OK to close Windows Firewall.

After exiting SQL Server Configuration Manager, start the RoleTailored client again to see if the connection problem has been resolved.

Starting SQL Browser Service

When using a named database instance for Microsoft Dynamics NAV, and Microsoft Dynamics NAV Server and the SQL server are on separate computers, then SQL Browser Service must be running on the SQL Server. For more information, see How to: Start SQL Browser Service.

See Also

Tasks

Walkthrough: Installing the Three Tiers on Three Computers

Concepts

Configuring Microsoft SQL Server
Installation Considerations for Microsoft SQL Server