credentials-database-engine.md

title	Credentials (Database Engine) | Microsoft Docs
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ms.date	2017-02-27
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helpviewer_keywords	principals [SQL Server], credentials schemas [SQL Server], credentials permissions [SQL Server], credentials groups [SQL Server], credentials ALTER ANY CREDENTIAL permission security [SQL Server], credentials authentication [SQL Server], credentials users [SQL Server], credentials credentials [SQL Server], about credentials credentials [SQL Server]
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Credentials (Database Engine)

[!INCLUDEtsql-appliesto-ss2008-all_md]

A credential is a record that contains the authentication information (credentials) required to connect to a resource outside [!INCLUDEssNoVersion]. This information is used internally by [!INCLUDEssNoVersion]. Most credentials contain a Windows user name and password.

The information stored in a credential enables a user who has connected to [!INCLUDEssNoVersion] by way of [!INCLUDEssNoVersion] Authentication to access resources outside the server instance. When the external resource is Windows, the user is authenticated as the Windows user specified in the credential. A single credential can be mapped to multiple [!INCLUDEssNoVersion] logins. However, a [!INCLUDEssNoVersion] login can be mapped to only one credential.

For credentials that are stored in the master database and can be used throughout the instance of [!INCLUDEssNoVersion], see CREATE CREDENTIAL (Transact-SQL). For credentials used by a specific database, and portable with that database, see CREATE DATABASE SCOPED CREDENTIAL (Transact-SQL).

System credentials are created automatically and are associated with specific endpoints. Names for system credentials start with two hash signs (##).

For more information about credentials, see the sys.credentials and sys.database_scoped_credentials catalog views.

Related Content

Create a Credential
CREATE CREDENTIAL (Transact-SQL)
CREATE DATABASE SCOPED CREDENTIAL (Transact-SQL)
Securing SQL Server