There are several ways to connect to SQL Server. The native client is one. But it is not recommended by Microsoft for new development work. In your case you probably want the Microsoft ODBC Driver for SQL Server. See helpfully provide by @HongOoi for more on this. Contains an overview, from Microsoft, on the various connection options they support. It includes this comment on the native client: The SQL Server Native Client OLE DB provider was included in SQL Server Native Client in SQL Server 2005, SQL Server 2008, SQL Server 2008 R2, and SQL Server 2012.

Vdo Dayton Ms 4150 Software Engineer. Aug 20, 2012 Workaround: SharePoint 2013 Preview prerequisite installer doesn’t install the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1 Native Client. Download SQL Server 2008 Native Client ODBC & OLEDB. Booth the ODBC driver and the OLEDB provider have been released within Microsoft SQL Server.

After SQL Server 2012, the SQL Server Native Client OLE DB provider will no longer be included in SQL Server Native Client. After SQL Server 2012, the ODBC driver will be updated for the most recent server features, including Microsoft Windows Azure SQL Database, and released as the Microsoft ODBC Driver for SQL Server.

In case you have having trouble connecting to SQL Server with Exult, you may need to install the software (published by Microsoft). Please download and install the SQL Server Native Client from one of links below.