Using the latest SQL Native Client for SQL Server 2008 R2

[Jeff Garcia]

Hi,

Will there be an issue if I install the latest SQL Native Client for 64 bit for Windows Server 2008 R2 and use this to connect to the database using ODBC?

The details can be found on this website:

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=16978

And the actual driver can be downloader from here:

http://download.microsoft.com/download/B/6/3/B63CAC7F-44BB-41FA-92A3-CBF71360F022/1033/x64/sqlncli.m...

Many Thanks,

Jeff

[Jerome҉]

You should be aware that the Engine connects using the 32 bit OLEDB driver, and the designer connects using a 64 bit driver. I am not sure if the Designer also needs a 32 bit driver, offhand.

[Jeff Garcia]

Following is an excerpt from Microsoft regarding this SQL Native Driver:

Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 R2 Native Client

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Native Client (SQL Server Native Client) is a single dynamic-link library (DLL) containing both the SQL OLE DB provider and SQL ODBC driver. It contains run-time support for applications using native-code APIs (ODBC, OLE DB and ADO) to connect to Microsoft SQL Server 2000, 2005, or 2008. SQL Server Native Client should be used to create new applications or enhance existing applications that need to take advantage of new SQL Server 2008 R2 features. This redistributable installer for SQL Server Native Client installs the client components needed during run time to take advantage of new SQL Server 2008 R2 features, and optionally installs the header files needed to develop an application that uses the SQL Server Native Client API.