How to enum SQL Server instances in network

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Introduction

Sometimes we need to list all available SQL Server instances in LAN to gain information about them. For example, it's useful when we need to write a custom installer for our database.

This tip shows us how to solves this problem. 

Using the code  

The code is as simple as it's possible

What you need to test the code? 

1. Create new project (windows application), 
2. Add: 
• 1 Label
• 1 ComboBox (change it name to: CmbSQLInstance) 
• 1 DataGridView  (change it name to: DGVSQLInstances)

Before you start coding, you need to set reference to  System.Data.Sql namespace (as is described here: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/vstudio/wkze6zky%28v=vs.80%29.aspx).

'declare variables
Dim dt As Data.DataTable = Nothing, dr As Data.DataRow = Nothing

Try
    'get sql server instances in to DataTable object
    dt = Sql.SqlDataSourceEnumerator.Instance.GetDataSources()

    'load data in to ComboBox
    For Each dr In dt.Rows
        Me.CmbSQLInstance.Items.Add(dr.Item(0).ToString)
    Next
    'load data in to DataGridView
    Me.DGVSQLInstances.DataSource = dt

Catch ex As System.Data.SqlClient.SqlException
    MsgBox(ex.Message, MsgBoxStyle.Exclamation, "Error!")

Catch ex As Exception
    MsgBox(ex.Message, MsgBoxStyle.Exclamation, "Error!")

Finally
    'clean up ;)
    dr = Nothing
    dt = Nothing
End Try 

Alternatives

• http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/12336/Locate-SQL-Server-instances-on-the-local-network
• http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/5703/Finding-SQL-Servers-on-the-Network
• http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/11428/How-to-Exactly-Enumerate-SQL-Server-from-LAN-by-us

History

• 2013/02/11 - First version.
• 2013/02/13 - source files added