TechNote (Archived)

Configuring SQL Server Express with the default ColdFusion SQL Server JDBC driver

Issue

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A "Connection verification failed for data source" error may occur while attempting to verify a SQL Server data source that connects to SQL Server Express using the default ColdFusion SQL Server JDBC driver.

The full error is as follows:

 Connection verification failed for data source: {data source name} java.sql.SQLException: [Macromedia][SQLServer JDBC Driver]Error establishing socket. Connection refused: connect The root cause was that: java.sql.SQLException: [Macromedia][SQLServer JDBC Driver] Error establishing socket. Connection refused: connect 

Reason

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The TCP/IP and Named Pipes protocols are disabled by default upon the installation of SQL Server Express.

The default TCP/IP port that SQL Server Express listens on may not be 1433.

Solution

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To configure a data source for SQL Server Express using the default SQL Server driver, follow these steps:

1. Launch the SQL Server Configuration Manager.
2. Expand "Server Network Configuration".
3. Expand Protocols for "SQLEXPRESS".
4. Enable Named Pipes.
5. Enable TCP.
6. Select TCP/IP in the right pane.
7. Select Properties > IP Addresses.
8. Make "Enabled" for all applicable IPs = "Yes".
9. Note the TCP port value or add if one does not exist for all applicable IPs.
10. Restart SQL Express.
11. Configure a SQL Server JDBC data source in the ColdFusion Administrator to listen on the port number from step 9 above.
12. Complete the data source configuration connectivity and authentication information.
13. Saving the data source should verify without error

Additional Information

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MSDN FAQ: How to connect to SQL Express from "downlevel clients"

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