Could not find server '%.*ls' in sys.servers. Verify that the correct server name was specified. If necessary, execute the stored procedure sp_addlinkedserver to add the server to sys.servers.

Error Message:
Msg 7202, Level 11, State 2, Line 1
Could not find server '%.*ls' in sys.servers. Verify that the correct server name was specified. If necessary, execute the stored procedure sp_addlinkedserver to add the server to sys.servers.

Severity level:
11.

Description:
This error message appears when you try to access a server that is unknown to the SQL Server instance.

Consequences:
The T-SQL statement can be parsed, but causes the error at runtime.

Resolution:
Errors of the Severity Level 11 are generated by the user and are corrigible by the user. The statement cannot be executed this way. The server must be known to the SQL Server instance. You can register the linked server via the sp_addlinkedserver procedure.

Versions:
All versions of SQL Server.

Example(s):
SELECT *
  FROM MyDistantServer.dbo.Northwind.Orders
  TABLESAMPLE (10 PERCENT)

Remarks:
In the above example we try to access the server MyDistantServer in a query. Because this server is not known to out SQL Server instance, the error is raised.