Cliconfg.exe: What Is It & How to Make It Work With SQL Alias

Various executable files come with the Windows operating system, and cliconfg.exe is among these files. In previous guides, we discussed other executables like bcdboot.exe and bash.exe. But in this article, we will focus on the cliconfg.exe file. We will cover everything there is to know about this file.

What is cliconfg?

Cliconfg.exe is a powerful command line tool that enables the addition of aliases using the SQL Client Configuration Utility. It comes pre-installed in Windows 10 and can be accessed through the command line or shortcut keys.

Some of the essential functions of cliconfg.exe include:

• Providing an interface to add an alias to a system where SQL is installed.
• It helps in establishing connections between various databases.
• It helps you view information about the currently installed network libraries.
• It also helps to configure the default network library for SQL Server.

How do I make cliconfg to work with SQL Alias?

1. Press Windows + R to bring up the Run dialogue, type cmd in the text field, and hit Enter.
   
2. Once in the command prompt, input the command below and press Enter.
   cliconfg /N
   
3. Navigate to the Alias tab and click the Add button.
   
4. In the Alias name box, type the name of the alias, enter the name of the SQL Server instance, pick the network library that you want to use, and click OK.
   
5. Once the alias is created, you can easily connect to the SQL Server instance using the following syntax.
   sqlcmd -S alias_name
6. For instance, if you created a davealias for the SQL Server instance named daveserver, you will use the command below to connect to it.
   sqlcmd -S davealias

This is as much as there is to know about the cliconfg.exe command line tool. We have discussed what this file means, its functions, and how to use it on Windows properly.

If you have further questions, talk to us through the comment section below. We will be happy to respond to you.