A credential is a record containing the authentication information needed to connect to a resource outside of SQL Server. Most credentials consist of a Windows login name and password. On Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and later, the password may not be required.
A single credential can be mapped to multiple SQL Server logins. But a SQL Server login can be mapped to only one credential.
Only users with ALTER ANY CREDENTIAL permission can create or modify a credential.
To create a credential
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In Object Explorer, expand Security, right-click Credentials, and then click New Credential.
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In the New Credentials dialog box, in the Credential Name box, type a name for the credential.
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In the Identity box, type the name of the account used for outgoing connections (when leaving the context of SQL Server). Typically, this will be a Windows user account. But the identity can be an account of another type.
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In the Password and Confirm password boxes, type the password of the account specified in the Identity box. If Identity is a Windows user account, this is the Windows password. The Password can be blank, if no password is required.
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Click OK.
See Also