If in SSMS 2008 on "New Linked Server" dialog you select "Other data source" you will be presented with several attributes for linked server. I am not sure what some of them are for/when they should be used.
"Linked server" is alias under which linked server will be known. "Provider" is clear enough. "Data Source" should be $servername\$instancename
The other attributes I am not sure about:
1)"Product name" - it seems I can put any string here.
2)"Provider string" - when linking to other SQL Servers I always leave it empty and everything works fine. Only available for some providers.
3) "Location" - when linking to other SQL Servers I always leave it empty and everything works fine. Only available for some providers.
4) "Catalog" - when linking to other SQL Servers I always leave it empty and everything works fine. Only available for some providers.
Can anyone clarify the usage of 4 attributes above?
