Update existing SharePoint farm to use my new SQL Alias

Question

I know I should have setup a SQL Alias before installing SharePoint but it's a bit late now. Is there any way I can update the SharePoint configuration to use the alias instead of the initial sqlinstance\port number? 

I read somewhere to set the default database server in Central Administration but I believe this only affects new databases to be created. I have created my content databases in powershell using the SQL Alias which is fine but I expect that my service application databases instead point to sqlserver\instance.

Is this held in the configuration database? Is there any easy way to update this?

Answer 1

Server name for configdb is stored in the registry, you might check http://blog.mikehacker.net/2010/09/05/sharepoint-2010-connection-string-registry-key/

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Marek Chmel, WBI Systems (MCTS, MCITP, MCT, CCNA)
Please Mark As Answer if my post solves your problem or Vote As Helpful if a post has been helpful for you.

Answer 2

Great info - thanks. So is it perfectly safe to change this entry to use my SQL Alias instead?

Answer 3

Do not manually change the registry key.  This can put you into an unsupported configuration. 

I believe that you cannot change to a SQL Alias after your farm has been built.  You will need to backup your content databases and rebuild your farm with the SQL Alias.  Once the farm has been rebuilt you can attach the content databases and reconfigure the farm.

Answer 4

I had tried earlier as a test but then changed the entry back to what it was - hopefully this won't have broken anything!

It is slightly annoying as now both the servername\instance and the MyAlias appear in the 'Servers in farm' section.