Localdb linked servers

Question

I'm trying to replicate a production environment locally and the production database uses a linked server. I've been able to create multiple instances of localdb; is it possible to create a linkedserver between localdb instances? If not, what other options do I have available (ideally without having to use a full sql instance).

Answer 1

Not sure if it's bad form to answer your own question but in case anyone else has the same issue in the future, it turns out it is possible and pretty straight forward. Once you've created your new instance of localdb, use this:

USE master

IF EXISTS(SELECT * from sys.servers WHERE name = N'{serverName}')
BEGIN
    DECLARE @serverId INT
    SELECT @serverId = server_id FROM sys.servers WHERE name = N'{serverName}'
    IF EXISTS(SELECT * FROM sys.linked_logins WHERE server_id = @serverId)
    BEGIN
        EXEC sp_droplinkedsrvlogin '{serverName}', null
    END

    EXEC sp_dropserver '{serverName}'
END

EXEC sp_addlinkedserver     
   @server=N'{serverName}',   
   @provider=N'SQLNCLI',   
   @srvproduct=N'',
   @datasrc=N'{dataSource}';  
EXEC sp_addlinkedsrvlogin
    @rmtsrvname=N'{serverName}',
    @useself='true'