SQL Server 2012 alias does not work outside SQL Server Management Studio

Question

I have a strange issue with aliases on SQL Server 2012. With SQL Server Management Studio I can connect with the SQL Server alias, but outside SSMS I can not.

For example: I created a file called Database.udl and tried to establish a connection with my SQL Server alias, but I cannot do that successfully.

About this topic (aliases and SQL Server) I searched a lot on the internet, but I cannot find a solution that works. Is there anyone who recognise this issue and knows how to solve this?

Thanks a lot.

Jordy

Answer 1

I added the SQL Server Alias to my hostfile. This solves the problem.