Hiding or Revealing SQL Server on a Network

When you install Microsoft® SQL Server™, SQL Server Setup makes an entry in the Microsoft Windows NT® Registry that enables Named Pipes clients to see SQL Server in a server enumeration box in SQL Server Query Analyzer.

For security purposes, you can hide a server on the network. Named Pipes clients can still connect to it, but they cannot see the hidden server when viewing servers. You can reveal the server at any time.

To hide or reveal SQL Server on a network