Linked Servers Wizard (SQL Server)

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A linked server object represents a database system other than Microsoft SQL Server. The links are created through OLE DB datasources. OLE DB is a COM-based application programming interface (API) for accessing data. OLE DB supports accessing data stored in any format (databases, spreadsheets, text files, and so on) for which an OLE DB provider is available. With a linked server you can execute commands against OLE DB datasources on different servers. Linked servers let you issue distributed queries, commands, and so on.

The wizard prompts you to provide much of the same information you give when you initially register a server.

To create a new linked server using a wizard:

1. Open a creation wizard for a linked server. For details, see Opening an Object Wizard.
2. Use the following topics as a guide to setting properties and performing tasks as you pass through the wizard panels:
   • Properties panel - for details, see Linked Servers (SQL Server) - Properties.
   • DDL View panel - for details, see Previewing the DDL Generated to Create the New Object.
3. Finally, use the Execute button to create the object.

Linked Servers (SQL Server) - Properties

When creating or editing a linked server, this tab/panel lets you work with the following settings:

Group	Settings and descriptions
General	If defining a linked server defined through Microsoft SQL Server, set the Is SQL Server check box. The name must be the server’s network name. Any tables retrieved from the server are from the default database defined for the login on the linked server. If defining a linked server not defined through Microsoft SQL Server, clear the Is SQL Server check box and use the following options to provide OLE DB details: Product Name - The product name of the OLE DB datasource to which you are linking. Datasource - The name of the OLE DB provider managing access to the linked server. OLE DB Provider Name - The name of the OLE DB provider managing access to the specified linked server. Provider Location - The OLE DB location property corresponding to the linked server. Provider Connection String - The OLD DB provider-specific connection string that identifies a unique datasource. Catalog - The name of the catalog to be used when making a connection to the OLE DB provider.
Server Options	Data Access Server - Lets you specify whether queries against this server are enabled. RPC Out Server - Lets you select the server with RPC encryption. RPC - Enables RPC encryption from the server. Collation Compatible Server - Indicates Change Distributed Query execution against linked servers. If you select this option, Microsoft SQL Server assumes that all characters in the linked server are compatible with the local server, with regard to character set and collation sequence (or sort order). This option is for Microsoft SQL Server 8.0 or later. Lazy Schema Validation - This option lets you optimize performance by ensuring the query processor does not request metadata for any of the linked tables until data is actually needed from the remote member table. This option is for Microsoft SQL Server 8.0 or later. Use Remote Collation and Collation Name - Let you indicate that the linked server should use remote collation and select the name of the collation. This option is for Microsoft SQL Server 8.0 or later. Query Timeout - Type the query timeout value. This option is for Microsoft SQL Server 8.0 or later. Connection Timeout - Type the connection timeout value. This option is for Microsoft SQL Server 8.0 or later.