INF: How to Install SQL Server on Computers Using a Hyphen

 Last reviewed: April 9, 1997
Article ID: Q158450
The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft SQL Server, versions 6.0 and 6.5

SUMMARY

The Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 Administrator's Companion documentation has not been updated, and continues to show the Microsoft SQL Server 6.0 server naming restrictions (page 36). Due to these naming restrictions, replication and multi-server operations are not possible with Microsoft SQL Server 6.0 on computers that have a hyphen character as part of the computer name. However, it is possible to register a Microsoft SQL Server 6.0 for SQL Enterprise Manager operation by running the sp_addserver stored procedure, as discussed in the More Information section below. The limitation described above for invalid SQL Server names has been removed under Microsoft SQL Server 6.5, to allow replication, multi-server, and SQL Enterprise Manager operations.

MORE INFORMATION

When you attempt the installation of either Microsoft SQL Server 6.0 or Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 and there is a hyphen character in the computer name, you will receive the following message: 

   Warning: Invalid Machine Name

   The Server name is not a valid SQL Server name and can cause problems in
   multi-server, replication and SQL Enterprise Manager operations.

   Press Resume to continue the installation. Use sp_addserver to correct
   the problem after setup is completed.

   Press Exit to Cancel installation.
Once you have finished the installation, you will be able to work with SQL Server without any problems, except for the multi-server, Replication, and SQL Enterprise Manager operations. These operations mandate the use of valid SQL identifiers, as discussed on page 36 of the SQL Server 6.5 Administrator's Companion.

To overcome this problem, run the following stored procedure: 

   sp_addserver <valid_sql_server_name>, LOCAL
where "valid_sql_server_name" specifies a logical server name to replace the invalid server name, and "LOCAL" specifies the server is on the local computer.

Recycle the SQL Server to apply the changes. You should now be able to use all SQL Enterprise operations except multi-server and replication on Microsoft SQL Server 6.0. For a Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 installation, you should now be able to use multi-server and replication even if the computer name contains a hyphen.

For more information on replication and invalid SQL Server names, refer to pages 56 through 59 of the "What's New in SQL Server 6.5" manual.

Additional query words: dash
Keywords : kbsetup kbusage SSrvEntMan SSrvInst SSrvRep SSrvStProc
Version : 6.0 6.5
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbhowto

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Last reviewed: April 9, 1997
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