Installing and Configuring Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Native Client: Step-by-Step Guide
Overview
Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Native Client (SNAC 11.0) provides the ODBC and OLE DB drivers and runtime needed for applications to connect to SQL Server 2012. This guide covers downloading, installing, configuring, testing connectivity, and basic troubleshooting.
Before you start
- Prerequisites: Windows OS supported by SQL Server 2012, administrative privileges, .NET Framework (as required by your applications).
- Decision: If you need newer features or security updates, prefer newer drivers (MS ODBC Driver for SQL Server / Microsoft OLE DB Driver) unless compatibility requires SNAC 11.0.
1. Downloading the installer
- Obtain the Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Native Client installer (SNAC 11.0) from Microsoft’s official download center or a trusted internal software repository. The filename commonly is SQLNCLI.msi.
2. Installing (GUI)
- Log in as an administrator.
- Double-click SQLNCLI.msi.
- Follow the MSI wizard:
- Accept the license terms.
- Choose installation folder (default is usually fine).
- Click Install and finish.
3. Installing (Silent / Command-line)
- For unattended installs, run from an elevated Command Prompt:
Code
msiexec /i “SQLNCLI.msi” /qn /norestart
- To capture a log:
Code
msiexec /i “SQLNCLI.msi” /qn /l*v “C:\temp\sqlncliinstall.log”
4. Verifying installation
- Check Programs and Features for “Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Native Client”.
- From PowerShell or Command Prompt, verify ODBC driver list:
Code
odbcad32.exe
or list drivers in PowerShell:
powershell
Get-OdbcDriver -Name “SQL Server”
- Confirm presence of OLE DB provider “SQLNCLI11” in tools that list providers.
5. Configuring connection settings
- ODBC DSN:
- Open ODBC Data Source Administrator (32-bit or 64-bit matching your app).
- Under System DSN or User DSN, click Add → select “SQL Server Native Client 11.0”.
- Enter Data Source Name, server name, authentication method.
- Configure default database, network library, and client settings (timeouts, encryption).
- Connection strings (examples):
- OLE DB:
Code
Provider=SQLNCLI11;Server=myServerAddress;Database=myDataBase;Uid=myUsername;Pwd=myPassword;
- ODBC (ADO.NET / connection string style):
Code
Driver={SQL Server Native Client 11.0};Server=myServerAddress;Database=myDataBase;Uid=myUsername;Pwd=myPassword;
6. Securing connections
- Prefer Windows Authentication where possible.
- Enable encryption: in DSN configuration check “Encrypt connection” or add to connection string:
Code
Encrypt=yes;TrustServerCertificate=no;
- Set appropriate firewall rules to allow client outbound to SQL Server TCP port (default 1433) only to required servers.
7. Testing connectivity
- Use ping/tcp tests and SQL tools:
- TSQL: use SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) to connect.
- Command-line test with sqlcmd (if available):
Code
sqlcmd -S tcp:myServerAddress,1433 -U myUsername -P myPassword
- Test from the actual application environment (32-bit vs 64-bit) to ensure driver bitness matches.
8. Troubleshooting common issues
- Driver not listed: ensure correct bitness ODBC admin was used (C:</li>
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