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title: "cross db ownership chaining Server Configuration Option | Microsoft Docs"
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# cross db ownership chaining Server Configuration Option
[!INCLUDE[tsql-appliesto-ss2008-xxxx-xxxx-xxx_md](../../includes/tsql-appliesto-ss2008-xxxx-xxxx-xxx-md.md)]

  Use the **cross db ownership chaining** option to configure cross-database ownership chaining for an instance of [!INCLUDE[msCoName](../../includes/msconame-md.md)] [!INCLUDE[ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)].  
  
 This server option allows you to control cross-database ownership chaining at the database level or to allow cross-database ownership chaining for all databases:  
  
-   When **cross db ownership chaining** is off (0) for the instance, cross-database ownership chaining is disabled for all databases.  
  
-   When **cross db ownership chaining** is on (1) for the instance, cross-database ownership chaining is on for all databases.  
  
-   You can set cross-database ownership chaining for individual databases using the SET clause of the ALTER DATABASE statement. If you are creating a new database, you can set the cross-database ownership chaining option for the new database using the CREATE DATABASE statement.  
  
     Setting **cross db ownership chaining** to 1 is not recommended unless all of the databases hosted by the instance of [!INCLUDE[ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] must participate in cross-database ownership chaining and you are aware of the security implications of this setting.  

To determine the current status of cross-database ownership chaining, execute the following query:  
```sql
SELECT is_db_chaining_on, name FROM sys.databases;
```  
A result of 1 indicates that cross-database ownership chaining is enabled.

## Controlling Cross-Database Ownership Chaining  
 Before turning cross-database ownership chaining on or off, consider the following:  
  
-   You must be a member of the **sysadmin** fixed server role to turn cross-database ownership chaining on or off.  
  
-   Before turning off cross-database ownership chaining on a production server, fully test all applications, including third-party applications, to ensure that the changes do not affect application functionality.  
  
-   You can change the **cross db ownership chaining** option while the server is running if you specify RECONFIGURE with **sp_configure**.  
  
-   If you have databases that require cross-database ownership chaining, the recommended practice is to turn off the **cross db ownership chaining** option for the instance using **sp_configure**; then turn on cross-database ownership chaining for individual databases that require it using the ALTER DATABASE statement.  
  
## See Also  
 [ALTER DATABASE (Transact-SQL)](../../t-sql/statements/alter-database-transact-sql.md)   
 [CREATE DATABASE (SQL Server Transact-SQL)](../../t-sql/statements/create-database-sql-server-transact-sql.md)   
 [Server Configuration Options (SQL Server)](../../database-engine/configure-windows/server-configuration-options-sql-server.md)   
 [sp_configure (Transact-SQL)](../../relational-databases/system-stored-procedures/sp-configure-transact-sql.md)   
 [RECONFIGURE (Transact-SQL)](../../t-sql/language-elements/reconfigure-transact-sql.md)