Microsoft has announced their latest generally available (GA) of Kerberos Configuration Manager for SQL Server.
Microsoft states that Kerberos authentication provides a highly secure method so as to authenticate client as well as server entities (security principals) on a network. In order to use Kerberos authentication with SQL Server, a Service Principal Name (SPN) is required, however it must be registered with an Active Directory which will act as the Key Distribution Center in a Windows domain.
Alongside this, several users will also be able to enable delegation for multi-tier applications using SQL Server. However, Microsoft has stated that it might be difficult to troubleshoot connectivity with
SQL Server, if and when Kerberos authentication fails.
The Company states that the Kerberos Configuration Manager for SQL Server is a diagnostic tool that will help troubleshoot Kerberos related connectivity issues with SQL Server, SQL Server Reporting Services, and SQL Server Analysis Services. It will perform the following functions, as per the
official blog.
- Gather information on OS and Microsoft SQL Server instances installed on a Server.
- Report on all SPN and delegation configurations on the Server.
- Identify potential problems in SPNs and delegations.
- Fix potential SPN problems.
This release (v 3.1) also goes on to add support for SQL Server 2016.
To download Microsoft Kerberos Configuration Manager for SQL Server,
click here.