In the world of SQL Server, there may come a time when you need to change the server name. Whether it’s due to a server rename or for other reasons, it’s important to understand how to properly change the server name within SQL Server itself.
When you rename a server, it’s not just the host name that needs to be updated. There are several places within SQL Server where the server name is referenced, and it’s crucial to update all of them to ensure everything continues to function correctly.
Let’s take a look at some of the key places where the server name is stored:
| Source | Server Name |
|---|---|
| HOST_NAME() | The current host name of the server |
| @@SERVERNAME | The current server name and instance name |
| SERVERPROPERTY(‘servername’) | The current server name |
| SERVERPROPERTY(‘machinename’) | The current Windows name |
| SERVERPROPERTY(‘ComputerNamePhysicalNetBIOS’) | The current NetBIOS name |
| SERVERPROPERTY(‘instanceName’) | The current instance name |
| SERVERPROPERTY(‘IsClustered’) | Whether the server is part of a cluster |
It’s important to note that renaming the instance name is unsupported. However, if you have a named instance, you can change the server name to “NewName\InstanceName” but not to “ServerName\NewInstanceName”.
If you need to change the server name, here are the steps to follow:
- Execute the following command to drop the current server name:
EXEC sp_DROPSERVER 'oldservername' - Execute the following command to add the new server name, specifying “local”:
EXEC sp_ADDSERVER 'newservername', 'local' - Restart the SQL Services
- Verify the new name using the following queries:
SELECT @@SERVERNAME
SELECT * FROM sys.servers WHERE server_id = 0
It’s important to note that you should not perform a server rename if you are using SQL Server in a clustered environment, with replication, or if Reporting Services is installed.
Have you ever had to change the server name in your SQL Server environment? What was the reason behind it? Let me know your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
I hope this information helps you navigate the process of changing the SQL Server name. If you ever find yourself in a tangle like this, now you know the steps to take to resolve it.