DSN network library shown as "Other" in ODBC Administrator

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This article was previously published under Q260249

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SYMPTOMS

When creating a new SQL Server Data Source Name (DSN) using the ODBC API SQLConfigDataSource function, a network library must be specified. If the network library name is in lowercase letters, the Client Configuration dialog box may show it as "Other".

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CAUSE

In Control Panel, the Client Configuration dialog box in ODBC Data Source Administrator is case-sensitive. It compares the network library name from the registry to uppercase network library names. See the "More Information" section for information on the registry entries that are affected by SQLConfigDataSource.

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RESOLUTION

Use all uppercase letters in the network library name.

NOTE: This is only cosmetic. Connectivity is not affected by the case of the network library name.

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MORE INFORMATION

The ODBC API SQLConfigDataSource function can be used to create new SQL Server DSNs programmatically. For example, the following code creates a new System DSN named MyNewDSN (or modifies if it already exists) connecting to the pubs database using the TCP/IP protocol:

returnCode = SQLConfigDataSource(NULL,ODBC_ADD_SYS_DSN, (LPSTR) "SQL Server",
                                (LPSTR) "DSN=MyNewDSN\0"
                                "Network=DBMSSOCN\0"
                                "Server=MySqlServer\0"
                                "Database=pubs\0"
                                "Description=New Data Source\0");

Creating a new DSN enters or modifies the default network library value for SQL Servers stored in the registry under the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MSSQLServer\Client\ConnectTo

The DSQUERY string under this registry key contains the default network library for any SQL Server.

If the network library name that is shown in the SQLConfigDataSource call above is coded as "Network=dbmssocn\0" instead of "Network=DBMSSOCN\0", the Client Configuration dialog box will show the network library as "Other".

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REFERENCES

229929 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/229929/EN-US/ ) INFO: Registry Entries and Keywords for SQL Server Connection Strings

814844 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/814844/ ) Error message: "Setup was unable to validate the logged user" occurs when you install SQL Server 2000 Service Pack 3 (SP3)

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