How do we alias a Sql Server instance name used in a Connection String .config?

Question

I have two development teams, that come from different groups.

• Group A develops against a local default instance of Sql Server 2008 R2;
• Group B develops against a local named instance of Sql Server 2008 R2.

Is there a way to setup an alias such that both groups are coding against the same name? As it stands right now we have a war of Connection Strings as group B changes (local) to ./DEV and group A changes it back again?

Answer 1

In SQL Server Configuration Manager, under the SQL server native client configuration section there is a subsection called "aliases" you can add an alias into here that points to your named instance. You just use the alias as if it is the default instance on a server with the name of the alias. We use this exact model and have only one connection string that points to a standard alias. Each developer has the same alias name pointing to their own instance.