credentials-database-engine.md

title	Credentials (Database Engine) | Microsoft Docs
ms.custom
ms.date	03/06/2017
ms.prod	sql-server-2014
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ms.technology	security
ms.topic	conceptual
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]
ms.assetid	c8df6022-e0b4-46b8-9670-3f86938d3177
author	VanMSFT
ms.author	vanto
manager	craigg

Credentials (Database Engine)

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.

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 catalog view.

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