Does anyone know of a good tool that scans the network for SQL instances?

In SQL Server 2005-

Load The Management Studio Console/App and in the Drop Down box/field on the login screen for Server Name, select the last item which allows you to browse for more servers.

New window loads with 2 tabs; Local Servers & Network Servers.

Select Network servers.

The thing will scan your network for all non-hidden insteances of SQL Server. This is not %100 meaning it is possible for some instances of SQL Server (from version 7 thru 2005) to not appear. If you want to find them all then you can use the Free tool called SQL Ping available at www.SQLSecurity.com. SQLPing3 is more of a security managenment tool to help locate and secure SQL Server instaces. It may be over kill for your needs.

Ed C
DBA

Have you tried SQL Recon? I believe it's a free tool and it's used for scanning network to locate and document sql instances

Agree that SQL Recon is a nice tool. Also I came across Quest Discovery Wizard for SQL Server and I found it more functional and therefore more useful. And another good point it is freeware.