Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 - Could not open a connection to SQL Server

This was originally posted in the SSIS Forum, but a member of the IS team suggested it be moved here. "Most recently I got this error (Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 - Could not open a connection to SQL Server) so does this mean that SQL Server is still trying to use named pipes even if I only have TCP/IP enabled in SQL Server Configuration Manager "

I'm having the same issue, and here's our scenario:

Installed SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition on a machine with WinXP SP2 and enabled remote connections over TCP/IP
Installed SQL Server 2005 Standard Edition on a machine with Win2003 SP1 (remote connections over TCP/IP enabled by default)
Attempted to 'Copy Database' from Developer Edition TO Standard Edition using 'Detach and Attach' method and recieved the error on the Win2003 machine: Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 - Could not open a connection to SQL Server
Attempted to 'Copy Database' from Developer Edition TO Standard Edition using 'SQL Management Objects' method and recieved the error on the Win2003 machine: Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 - Could not open a connection to SQL Server
Reinstalled Standard Edition on the Win2003 SP1 machine
Checked all the settings on both machines several times, restarted services etc., and read every post I could find referencing the error.
Same error
Lost my last hair

Thanks in advance,

Steve

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Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 - Could not open a connection to SQL Server

John M 37373737
did you ever get that sorted out
ChandlerDeng

In general the error:

Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 - Could not open a connection to SQL Server

Is just a basic connectivity error meaning the client could not connect to the target SQL Server. So just follow the basic connectivity troubleshooting guidelines on our SQL Protocols blog, see:

SQL Server 2005 Connectivity Issue Troubleshoot - Part I

http://blogs.msdn.com/sql_protocols/archive/2005/10/22/483684.aspx

and

SQL Server 2005 Connectivity Issue Troubleshoot - Part II

http://blogs.msdn.com/sql_protocols/archive/2005/10/29/486861.aspx

This should help you debug the problem.
marta_p
Nan,

I'm probably going to thank you for your help every time I post - so again, thanks for your help. I've tried the basic connectivity tests (below is the command line output) and they were successful. I have had no connectivity issues using SQL Studio or otherwise, unless it involves using the 'Copy Database' task and SQL Server Agent.

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Steve>sqlcmd -S 401Server -i C:\TestQuery.sql
Changed database context to 'Test'.
Location_ID Location_Name
----------- --------------------------------------------------
0010-10     ADAMSVILLE
0011-10     ALLENTOWN
0011-11     EASTON
0011-12     BETHLEHEM
0011-13     EASTON RENTAL MART

(5 rows affected)

C:\Documents and Settings\Steve>osql -E Stcp:401Server
1> exit

C:\Documents and Settings\Steve>

Has anyone been able to successfully execute a 'Copy Database' from one SQL Server 2005 to another

Steve
VanceMorrison
Nan,

Before I get on with this post - thank you for your reply.

The XPSP2 machine actually had the firewall disabled, and I verified that it could accept connections on the the associated ports with the Shields Up utility. I tested this on both machines.

I can connect to the server from the XPSP2 machine, Import / Export, manage, view logs, and do everything EXCEPT get the Copy Database package to run. SQL Server Agent always fails on the last step with the following error:

Event Type: Error
Event Source: SQLISPackage
Event Category: None
Event ID: 12550
Date:  1/10/2006
Time:  1:34:15 PM
User:  NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM
Computer: 401SERVER
Description:
Event Name: OnError
Message: Failed to connect to server BETHESDA.
StackTrace:    at Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Common.ConnectionManager.Connect()
   at Microsoft.SqlServer.Dts.Tasks.TransferObjectsTask.TransferObjectsTask.OpenConnection(Server& server, ServerProperty serverProp)
InnerException-->An error has occurred while establishing a connection to the server. When connecting to SQL Server 2005, this failure may be caused by the fact that under the default settings SQL Server does not allow remote connections. (provider: Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 - Could not open a connection to SQL Server)
StackTrace:    at System.Data.SqlClient.SqlInternalConnection.OnError(SqlException exception, Boolean breakConnection)
   at System.Data.SqlClient.TdsParser.ThrowExceptionAndWarning(TdsParserStateObject stateObj)
   at System.Data.SqlClient.TdsParser.Connect(Boolean& useFailoverPartner, Boolean& failoverDemandDone, String host, String failoverPartner, String protocol, SqlInternalConnectionTds connHandler, Int64 timerExpire, Boolean encrypt, Boolean trustServerCert, Boolean integratedSecurity, SqlConnection owningObject, Boolean aliasLookup)
   at System.Data.SqlClient.SqlInternalConnectionTds.OpenLoginEnlist(SqlConnection owningObject, SqlConnectionString connectionOptions, String newPassword, Boolean redirectedUserInstance)
   at System.Data.SqlClient.SqlInternalConnectionTds..ctor(DbConnectionPoolIdentity identity, SqlConnectionString connectionOptions, Object providerInfo, String newPassword, SqlConnection owningObject, Boolean redirectedUserInstance)
   at System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnectionFactory.CreateConnection(DbConnectionOptions options, Object poolGroupProviderInfo, DbConnectionPool pool, DbConnection owningConnection)
   at System.Data.ProviderBase.DbConnectionFactory.CreatePooledConnection(DbConnection owningConnection, DbConnectionPool pool, DbConnectionOptions options)
   at System.Data.ProviderBase.DbConnectionPool.CreateObject(DbConnection owningObject)
   at System.Data.ProviderBase.DbConnectionPool.UserCreateRequest(DbConnection owningObject)
   at System.Data.ProviderBase.DbConnectionPool.GetConnection(DbConnection owningObject)
   at System.Data.ProviderBase.DbConnectionFactory.GetConnection(DbConnection owningConnection)
   at System.Data.ProviderBase.DbConnectionClosed.OpenConnection(DbConnection outerConnection, DbConnectionFactory connectionFactory)
   at System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnection.Open()
   at Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Common.ConnectionManager.InternalConnect(WindowsIdentity impersonatedIdentity)
   at Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Common.ConnectionManager.Connect()
Operator: NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM
Source Name: BETHESDA_401SERVER_Transfer Objects Task
Source ID: {86F355AD-3B74-4D7B-8D2D-C743C790A269}
Execution ID: {91B7C32C-C439-4EDB-8A0F-9F8BF207BC06}
Start Time: 1/10/2006 1:34:15 PM
End Time: 1/10/2006 1:34:15 PM
Data Code: 0

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

Have you (or anyone else) successfully executed a Copy Databse task

Steve
DDB007
From the error message, your scenario is broken on connection stage and I would like to know if you have tried basic connectivity tests between the two mahcines you are working on. One simple way to verifty connectivity is to use command line tools, such as osql.exe. For example, osql -E -Stcp:servername\instancename. If it connects cross-machine successfully, please also verify that your connection string in your scenario is correct.
David_bubu
Just to confirm, did you try basic connectivity test from 401SERVER to BETHESDA
Blaine
Also -

Windows XP with SP2, Windows Firewall is probably blocking your SQL connection:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx scid=kb;en-us;839269
JReuben

Hi Steve,

I just ran the Copy Database Wizard myself on my SQL Server 2005 and I suspect the problem you are running into is due to the account that SQL Agent runs under. You need to create a SQL Agent Proxy account that can login to the remote machine and then use this account. By default the SQL Agent service account does not have remote access.

When you get to the page thay says: "Schedule the Package" at the bottom you will see the "Integration Services Proxy Account" selection, you need to create an account that can login to the remote machine (standard account is easiest) and then select this account rather than "SQL Server Agent Service Account"

See ->
How to: Create a Proxy (SQL Server Management Studio)
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms190698.aspx

Matt
TVHuff
The error is reported by client library. While your server is listeing on remote TCP, client will still try TCP and NP connection in order. So the error client behavior is expected. From what you have described, I believe that even though you enabled the remote TCP connection on the XPSP2 machine, you didn't make the TCP listening port an exception of XPSP2 personal firewall. You should follow steps below to resolve this issue.

1. check the SQL Server Errorlog to make sure SQL Server is now listening on TCP/IP and confirm which port it is listening on. Usually 1433. In the Errorlog, you will see several lines that discuss what SQL Server is listening on. Below is an example:

2006-01-04 01:41:07.65 server    SQL server listening on 10.254.1.150: 1433.     <--Shows the IP Address and the port.

2006-01-04 01:41:07.65 server    SQL server listening on 127.0.0.1: 1433.          <--Shows another IP Address and the port.

2006-01-04 01:41:07.69 server    SQL server listening on TCP, Shared Memory, Named Pipes.

2006-01-04 01:41:07.69 server    SQL Server is ready for client connections

2, Make sure on Windows XP that the firewall is not blocking that port.

3, go to your client machine and run the client network configuration tool (cliconfg.exe) Make sure TCP/IP is enabled, click properties and make sure the port number is the same one as SQL Server is listening on. Here you can enable NP or disable client NP as well.

Once both the client and the server are using TCP/IP with the same port number and the firewall on server machines is not blocked, you should be able to connect.

Hope this helps.
rainvt
Thanks for the reply Matt.. I've been off-site working on a different project and will post again as soon as I'm able to implement your suggestion.

Steve
jlandheer
Hi,

I am able to remotely connect to SQL Server 2005 using the Management Studio and also via application running on the client machine.

I am attempting a setup project for dynamically creating database for which I need to connection to the sql server during install. It is at this stage that I get the error - Default settings do not allow remote connections. Whereas on my sql server remote connections using both named pipes as well as tcp / ip are enabled...

PLZ HELP!!
tswaters
OMG u guys saved me 20000 hrs of work. I had the same problem and now it works.
Thanks for all the help;)
Also, if this still doesnt fix ur problem , try these tips
1. Enable the TCP/IP protocol using the Surface Area Configuration Utility
2. Make sure the TCP/IP protocol is enabled in the SQL Server Configuration Utility
3. Make sure the SQL Server browser is started. Note this step is optional. It is possible to set the SQL Server instance to use a fixed IP address - but this is non-standard for named instances
4. Make sure SQL Server and SQL Server Browser are exempted by the firewall on the server machine. This is done by putting sqlservr.exe and sqlbrowser.exe as an exception in the windows firewall.
5. Note: In order to get things to work. You might need to completely reboot the server machine after making the changes. There have been reports (thanks P.C.) that starting and stopping the SQL Server and Browser software is not enough.
resource:www.datamasker.com
Script Spider
I'm getting the same error in a C# windows app. However, the SQL server that I'm using is 2000, not 2005. Does this matter If not, does anyone have a solution
juan carlos ceresola
i am opening the ERRORLOG file in the MSSQL.1\MSSQL\LOG. i can see lines of it shutting down and starting up but it doesn't show the line where it says what ip port its using.
Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 - Could not open a connection to SQL Server

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