When applications use TCP/IP for network communication, you need to know the port number where the server is listening for connect request from the client.

If you want to connect to the SQL Server through the TCP/IP, you must know on which port number the SQL Server is listening for connection requests. Follow this tutorial to find and verify the port number of your SQL Server.

1. Go to Start > All Programs > Microsoft SQL Server 2005 > Configuration Tools > SQL Server Configuration Manager.

2. Double click on "SQL Server 2005 Network Configuration" to see the list of SQL Server instances.

3. Click on "Protocols for SQLEXPRESS". You will see a list of protocols.

4. Right-mouse click on TCP/IP and select the "Properties" command. The properties dialog box shows up.

Click the IP Address tab. The server IP address and port number used by the SQL Server will be displayed. You should see something like:

IP Address: 127.0.0.1

Ports: 1269

Note that 1433 may also be used as the default port number by your SQL Server.