Could not find server 'server name' in sys.servers. SQL Server 2014
<p>I recently upgraded our SQL Server from 2005 to 2014 (linked server) and I am noticing that one of the stored procedures which calls the exec command to execute a stored procedure on the upgraded linked server is failing with the error </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Could not find server 'server name' 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.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>The issue is that the linked server exists and I have done tests to ensure I can query the tables from the linked server. Here are the checks I did to see if the linked server is configured correctly.</p>

<pre><code> - select name from sys.servers -- &gt; Lists the linked server 
 - select top 10 * from linkedserver.database.dbo.table --&gt;  Gets top 10 records 
 - exec linkedserver.database.dbo.storedproc --&gt; Executes the stored procedure (I created a test stored procedure on the linked server and I can execute it)
</code></pre>

<p>However the one that is failing with the error is below</p>

<pre><code>exec linkedserver.database.dbo.failing_storedprocedure  @id,'load ','v2',@file_name, @list_id = @listid output;
</code></pre>

<p>I've recreated the linked server and RPC is enabled.I've granted execute permission on the stored procedure. I can select records and execute other stored procedures on the linked server but the above exec is failing(it worked before the upgrade).Is there a syntax difference between SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server 2014 that is causing this to fail?</p>