SQL Replication (subscriber) can't connect to publication

Question

I have 2 virtual machines, one with SQL Server 2008 R2 and another with SQL Server 2012 Express.

On 1 I have configuration for replication (publication), and I would like to setup Express version as a subscriber.

But I can't to connect to publisher

SQL Server replication requires the actual server name to make a connection to the server. Specify the actual server name, 'XXXX'. (Replication.Utilities)

I have tried to cheat and added XXXX server name to hosts file, but it doesn't help.

Additionally I used to run http://www.hagrin.com/332/fixing-sql-server-replication-requires-actual-server-name-make-connection-server-error action for setup publication in correct way

What I need to do for successful connection ?

Answer 1

Replication is very picky about the actual server name. At both the publisher and subscriber, run select @@servername to see what you should be using. My guess is that you've got a DNS alias for at least one of them.