Sql-server – Change port number via command line in SQL Server 2005

If you want to use a specific port like 1433, you have to set it manually.

The default instance will use port 1433 by default, if TCP is enabled and the settings are left unchanged. A named instance will use a dynamic port by default. So the question really boils down to whether the Express instance is named or default (assuming the port number in the OP is a typo).

Update

If the Configuration Manager says 'Protocols for SQLEXPRESS' it means the Express instance is a named one so it will use dynamic ports by default. You have to change the settings to use port 1433. .

I've found a way to configure aliases that doesn't involve installing client tools on the production server.

Aliases can be setup using SQL Server Client Network Utility (cliconfg.exe) as described in this article: How to setup and use a SQL Server alias

This utility is part of a standard install since Windows 2000 Server and I can confirm that it worked for me on Windows 2008 Server R1 (64-bit).