SQL Mixed Mode Authentication Enable: Challenges & Best Practices

Are you facing challenges due to authentication modes in SQL Server? The authentication modes in SQL allow users to efficiently log into their databases and perform the desired tasks. 

However, many database administrators prefer using the SQL mixed mode authentication enable instead of individual authentication modes. With the help of this write-up, we will be discussing thoroughly the SQL mixed mode authentication risk and how it can impact a database administrator’s workflow. 

Let’s first learn about the authentication modes to make the concept easier for the users to grasp. 

What is Mixed Mode Authentication in SQL Server?

SQL Server allows users and database administrators to log into their databases using different modes. These modes are SQL Server Authentication, Windows Authentication, and Mixed Mode Authentication, respectively. Let’s break down these modes for a better understanding. 

1. SQL Server Authentication: This authentication mode in SQL Server uses the credentials specified for SQL Server. The login credentials are mainly stored on the server, and the passwords used for logins are encrypted. This authentication mode is generally helpful when users are not part of any Windows domain or when applications do not support and rely on Windows Authentication. 
2. Windows Authentication Mode: This authentication mode in SQL Server primarily uses Windows local credentials to log into the database. This mode generally relies on the Windows security model and is considered a more secure way for authentication.
   The authentication is handled outside the SQL Server by the Operating System.
3. Mixed Mode Authentication in SQL: With the SQL mixed mode authentication enable, users are capable of logging into their respective servers using any of these authentication modes. The mixed mode authentication in SQL Server is beneficial in various situations, as it allows users to choose the authentication mode according to their convenience. 

We are now aware of these authentication modes; hence, let’s move to understanding the steps for implementing mixed mode authentication in SQL Server. 

SQL Mixed Mode Authentication Enable: Steps and Implementation

We will now take a look at the steps that will allow the users to enable the mixed authentication mode in SQL Server. Here, we will consider both situations for setting up the mixed mode method, one during the installation of SQL Server and the next one after the installation of SQL Server. 

Situation 1: Set up Mixed Authentication While Installing the SQL Server Environment

When a user is installing the setup, they are required to choose an authentication mode during the process. The SQL Server Installation Wizard asks the users to choose the authentication mode while displaying the available modes. Now, the user has to follow the given steps for setting up the mixed mode authentication in SQL Server. 

1. From the provided modes, choose the Mixed Mode Authentication (Windows Authentication and SQL Server Authentication). 
2. Next, set a strong password for the System Administrator (SA) account in the SQL Server.
3. After setting up the password, add Windows user groups(one or more) as the SQL Server administrators. 

During this process, the users must set a strong password as the System Administrator account is targeted more as compared to other accounts. Now, moving to the next situation, which is setting up the mixed mode authentication after installation of the SQL Server environment. 

Situation 2: SQL Mixed Mode Authentication Enable: After Installation

Here, we will understand the steps to configure mixed mode authentication in SQL Server after the installation of the setup.

1. Open SQL Server Management Studio and connect to the SQL Server instance. 
2. Right-click on the desired SQL Server instance name. 
3. Next, locate and go to the security page of the selected instance. 
4. In the SQL Server Authentication modes, choose SQL Server and Windows Authentication Mode. 
5. Click on the OK button to apply the changes in the SQL Server. 
6. Restart the server to check if the changes have been successfully implemented. 

With the help of these steps, the users will be able to configure the mixed mode authentication in SQL Server. However, there are certain challenges that a user might encounter due to this authentication mode. Let’s take a look at these challenges and further learn the ways that can help users resolve this issue. 

Challenges Raised Due to SQL Mixed Mode Authentication Enable

We will now take a look at the SQL mixed mode authentication risk and the issues created due to this authentication mode. 

• With this authentication mode, the security risks increase for the databases. If the database administrators do not monitor the server security properly, the risk of unauthorized access increases. 
• Misconfigured accounts or accounts with default logins, that are connected to the internet, are highly at risk of getting attacked.
• With the mixed mode authentication, the users are required to manually manage the passwords. The manual management of the logins and passwords for numerous logins and users results in a workload overhead. 
• If the users lose or forget the database passwords, it becomes difficult to retrieve the passwords, and further results in locking out the database administrators from accessing the database. 

With these challenges and issues, users often end up re-considering the SQL mixed mode authentication enable process. Furthermore, in case the users have encountered these issues, we have a few troubleshooting steps that will allow users to resolve these issues and further access their databases in a more secure way.

Troubleshooting Ways to Overcome SQL Mixed Mode Authentication Risk

Here are some of the solutions that will help the users to resolve the challenges caused due to the mixed-mode authentication in SQL. 

1. To resolve the issues of security risks, set strong passwords in the SQL Server for authentication. 
2. For the issues created due to misconfigured accounts, use Windows Authentication for the internal users and further limit the logins to the server. Additionally, automate the login monitoring to keep track of the logins in the SQL Server. 
3. For orphaned users and login issues, it can be resolved by creating the required logins in the SQL Server database. 
4. For a locked-out SA account or a forgotten password for SQL login, users can try the suggested automated software to reset SQL password for SA users efficiently. 
5. For complete security and compliance with regulations, users can enforce password policies in their databases. 

Conclusion

This technical write-up covers the concept of SQL mixed mode authentication enable. Furthermore, it also includes an explanation of what this mode is and how it can cause challenges for the users. After understanding the possible challenges, we have suggested a few troubleshooting ways that will allow the users to resolve the issues effectively.