Portal for ArcGIS connecting to SQL Server: Failure to access the DBMS server[ ]

Error Message

When Portal for ArcGIS attempts to connect with a SQL Server database, the following error is returned:

Failure to access the DBMS server[]

Cause

This error is due to SQL Server disabling the Protocol Name for Named Pipes and TCP/IP.

Solution or Workaround

1. On the server machine installed with SQL Server. Ensure that the Protocol Name for Named Pipes and TCP/IP is enabled, as shown in the image below. This setting can be changed in SQL Server Configuration Manager.

2. Restart the SQL Server Services.