For Windows- or Windows NT-based clients, SQL Server supports client communication using standard Windows Sockets as the IPC method across the TCP/IP protocol.
Important The Windows Sockets Net-Libraries have been extensively tested on the supported platforms for connecting to Microsoft SQL Server. Using these Net-Libraries with other TCP/IP protocols should work if those protocols properly support Windows Sockets. However, their use on these platforms is not guaranteed. The protocol provider should test and state their support policy.
Third party 16-bit TCP/IP products (other than those provided with Windows for Workgroups) which properly support the Windows Sockets specifications should work properly with the Win16 TCP/IP Sockets Net-Library (DBMSSOC3.DLL). While not officially tested and supported, products that properly implement the specification should work with the Net-Library.
Note MS-DOS-based applications running with the Microsoft Windows TCP/IP protocol stack must use the Named Pipes Net-Library, DBNMPIPE.EXE. There is no TCP/IP sockets support in MS-DOS.
For additional information about configuring TCP/IP Windows Sockets clients, choose one of the following topics.
Windows Sockets Support for Windows- and Windows for Workgroups-based Clients
Simplified System Administration Using DHCP and WINS