DSN network library shown as "Other" in ODBC Administrator

View products that this article applies to.

This article was previously published under Q260249

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".

↑ Back to the top

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.

↑ Back to the top

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.

↑ Back to the top

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".

↑ Back to the top