Troubleshooting - Getting error when trying to configure QODBC in SQL Server

Problem Description:

I'm trying to install the QODBC on our SQL Server, and I followed all steps in your documentation on How to create a Link Server with MS SQL 2005/2008/2012 64-bit Using QODBC/QRemote.

But when I try to save my Linked server in SQL Studio, I have an error message:

The linked server has been created but failed a connection test. Do you want to keep the linked server?

Additional Information:

An exception occurred while executing a Transact-SQL statement or batch. (Microsoft.SqlServer.ConnectionInfo)

Cannot initialize the OLE DB provider "MSDASQL" data source object for linked server "QREMOTE."

OLE DB provider "MSDASQL" for linked server "QREMOTE" returned the message "[Microsoft][ODBC Driver Manager] Data source name not found and no default driver specified." (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 7303)

Can you help me with that?

Solution:

Please make sure you are creating Linked Server on SQL Server where QODBC is installed. If you start the linked server from another machine where SQL Server Management Studio is installed but QODBC is not installed. You may face this error. 

You can verify it by closing SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) & reopening it and at the time of connecting to the SQL Server option. Please remove the server name & insert "." (i.e., dot) & try to connect.

If you can connect, then SQL Server is on the local machine; otherwise, SQL Server is on another device.