Connecting to SQL Server using SSMS

Introduction
Hi friends! In this blog we will be discussing How to connect to the SQL Server using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS).

Background
SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), is the client tool that can be used to connect to the Database engine and write/execute SQL queries.

Process to Connect to SSMS
Method 1:
To connect to the SQL Server Management Studio

1. Click Start
2. Select All Programs
3. Select Microsoft SQL Server 2005, 2008, 2008 R2, 2012 or 2016(Depending on the version installed)
4. Select SQL Server Management Studio

SSMS in All Programs

Method 2:
To connect to the SQL Server Management Studio

1. Click Start
2. Type "SSMS" without quotes("")
3. Select SQL Server Management Studio

SSMS using Search

Method 3:
To connect to the SQL Server Management Studio

1. Click Start
2. Type "run" or press Window + R.
3. Type "SSMS" without quotes("")
4. Hit Enter.

Run Command to open SSMS

You will now see, Connect to Server window.

Sql Server Management Studio

1. Select Database Engine as the Server Type. The other options that you will see here are Analysis Services(SSAS), Reporting Services (SSRS) and Integration Services(SSIS).
   Server type = Database Engine 
2. Next you need to specify the Server Name. Here we can specify the name or the server or IP Address.If you have SQL Server installed on your local machine, you can specify, (local) or just . (dot) or any other name that you have specified while installing SQL Server
   Server name = (local) / . / othername
3. Now select Authentication. The options available here, depends on how you have installed SQL Server. During installation, if you have chosen mixed mode authentication, you will have both Windows Authentication and SQL Server Authentication. Otherwise, you will just be able to connect using windows authentication.
4. If you have chosen Windows Authentication, you don't have to enter user name and password.
5. If you have chosen SQL Server Authentication, you have to enter user name and password to connect to your database.

Now you are successfully connected with the Sql Server as you can see in the below picture.

Start writing Sql Queries

Now, click on New Query, on the top left hand corner of SSMS (highlighted in the about picture). This should open a new query editor window, where we can type SQL queries and execute.

Summary:
SSMS is a client tool and not the Server by itself. Usually database server (SQL Server), will be on a dedicated machine, and developers connect to the server using SSMS from their respective local (development) computers.

So, Guys this is how we Connect to SQL Server using SSMS.
I Hope this post will be helpful to understand Connecting to SQL Server using SSMS.

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For any queries please post a comment below.

Happy Coding 😉