We're updating some of our product names. K2 Five is now Nintex Automation. You may see both product names in our help pages while we make this change.

SQL Server

K2 installs its database on a Microsoft SQL Server instance. You can also leverage Azure SQL when installing K2. For more information about Azure SQL requirements see Creating the K2 database in the Azure SQL Database server

While infrastructure changes are required by K2, each environment is different and has its peculiarities which you must consider. Modifying the infrastructure could have unforeseen results if the changes are not appropriately understood or managed. Given the broad spectrum of underlying infrastructure utilized, it is recommended that a panel or committee with appropriate skill in each area concerned be assembled to outline the underlying infrastructure changes and gauge the impact of the required changes.

The K2 Setup Manager determines where to install the K2 database based on the location of the SQL Master database.

SQL Requirements

Case-sensitive databases are NOT supported.
One of the following collation settings are required for the K2 database:
- SQL_Latin1_General_CP1_CI_AS
- Latin1_General_CI_AS
For more information on mismatched SQL collations, see the KB002337 SQL Collation Setting Warnings and Errors on Installation.

SQL Alias Configuration

To use SQL aliases with K2 you must configure the alias for both 32 and 64 bit applications. Most K2 components run natively in 64 bit. Some of the components function in 32 bit and will not detect the alias unless you configure it correctly.

Use the SQL Server Client Network Utility (cliconfig.exe) to configure the alias. You can find cliconfig.exe here:

32 bit: C:\Windows\System32\cliconfg.exe
64 bit: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\cliconfg.exe

Configuration Steps

Start the SQL Server Client Network Utility as system administrator.
Select TCP/IP from the list and click Enable >>.
Select the Alias tab and click Add.
In the Add Network Library Configuration window, do the following:

Enter an alias in the Server Alias box
Select TCP/IP in the Network Libraries section
In the Connection parameters section, enter your SQL Server name
If the machine is not using the default port (1433) deselect the Dynamically determine port checkbox, type in the correct port number and click OK to continue

The alias is now listed and accessible in the Alias tab. Click OK to finish.

Making a connection to the SQL alias now directs you to the actual name of the SQL Server.

You can also confirm the Alias by checking these registry keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MSSQLServer\Client\ConnectTo
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\MSSQLServer\Client\ConnectTo