IT:AD:SQL Server Browser
Summary
The basic purpose of the SQL Server Browser service is to provide instance and port information to incoming connection requests.
Notes
- Introducted with SQL Server 2005
- Runs as a Windows Service
- Is an Extension of SQL Server Resolution Protocol (SSRP)
- Is of use when more than one instance of SQL Server is installed on a machine.
Of use to developers who have both SQL Server and SQL Server Express installed on their dev box.
- Is essential information for a DBA to provide safe access to their SQL Server instances.
- If you have only one SQL Server instance, and it is running on port 1433, turning it on or off will have no impact.
That's why developers get a bit caught out when they install one SQL Server instance (eg SQL Server Instance), program for a while, install another instance (eg full version of SQL Server), and things stop working. It's because the SQL Server Browser instance is turned off.
- If you have more than one instance, and the service is turned off, you have to provide the port number along with the IP address (or server name+instance name).
- If the SQL Server Browser instance is turned off, your named instances will not be published in the list of SQL Server instances on the network (which could be a good thing).