<Alias> Properties (Alias Tab)
An alias is an alternate name that can be used to make a connection. The alias encapsulates the required elements of a connection string, and exposes them with a name chosen by the user. Use the Alias page on the <Alias name> Properties dialog box to view or specify the elements of connection string of an Alias.
Options
Alias Name
The name (alias) that you want to use to refer to this connection.Pipe Name / Port No / VIA Parameters
Additional elements of the connection string. The name of this box varies with the selected protocol. See the topics listed below for examples.Important
The VIA protocol is deprecated. This feature will be removed in a future version of Microsoft SQL Server. Avoid using this feature in new development work, and plan to modify applications that currently use this feature.
Protocol
The protocol used for the connection.Server
The name of the Microsoft SQL Server instance being connected to.