Managing user accounts and logins in Azure SQL is essential for securing database access. Unlike traditional SQL Server, Azure SQL has certain limitations and enhancements in authentication and user management. This blog explores the different types of user accounts and logins available in Azure SQL and their use cases.
1. Authentication Methods in Azure SQL
Before diving into user types, it is crucial to understand the authentication methods used in Azure SQL:
- SQL Authentication: Uses a username and password stored in the database.
- Azure Active Directory (AAD) Authentication: Uses AAD credentials, allowing integration with enterprise identity management.
- Managed Identity Authentication: Uses a system-assigned or user-assigned managed identity to authenticate applications securely.
2. Types of Logins in Azure SQL
Unlike on-premises SQL Server, Azure SQL does not support Windows Authentication. However, it supports different types of logins:
a. SQL Server Authentication Logins
- Created at the server level and stored in
sys.sql_logins. - Assigned a username and password.
- Used when AAD is not an option or for application connections.
Example:
CREATE LOGIN MyUser WITH PASSWORD = 'StrongPassword!';b. Azure Active Directory (AAD) Logins
- Based on Azure AD users or groups.
- Can be used for single sign-on (SSO) and centralized identity management.
- Supports both individual users and security groups.
- Requires an AAD admin to be set up in the server.
Example (Adding an AAD user as an admin):
CREATE USER [AADUser@domain.com] FROM EXTERNAL PROVIDER;
ALTER ROLE db_owner ADD MEMBER [AADUser@domain.c. Managed Identity Logins
- Used for secure authentication of Azure resources like Azure Functions, Logic Apps, or Virtual Machines.
- No need to store credentials.
- Supports system-assigned and user-assigned managed identities.
Example (Granting database access to a managed identity):
CREATE USER [ManagedIdentityName] FROM EXTERNAL PROVIDER;
ALTER ROLE db_datareader ADD MEMBER [ManagedIdentityName];3. Types of Database Users in Azure SQL
Once a login is created, database users must be assigned for specific database access.
a. SQL Authenticated Users
- Created within a specific database and mapped to a SQL login.
Example:
CREATE USER MyDbUser FOR LOGIN MyUser;
ALTER ROLE db_datareader ADD MEMBER MyDbUser;b. Azure AD Users
- Created using an Azure AD identity.
Example:
CREATE USER [AADUser@domain.com] FROM EXTERNAL PROVIDER;c. Contained Users
- Exist only in a single database and do not require a server-level login.
- Useful for database portability and multi-tenant environments.
Example:
CREATE USER ContainedUser WITH PASSWORD = 'SecurePassword!';4. Best Practices for Managing Logins and Users
- Use Azure AD authentication for better security and centralized access management.
- Minimize SQL authentication to avoid managing passwords manually.
- Grant least privilege access using roles like db_datareaderr or db_datawriter.
- Monitor and audit logins using Azure SQL auditing and Azure Monitor.
- Use managed identities where possible to avoid storing credentials.
Conclusion
Azure SQL provides multiple authentication and user management options, ranging from traditional SQL authentication to modern Azure AD and managed identities. Understanding these user types helps in implementing secure and efficient access management. By following best practices, you can ensure that your database is both secure and easy to manage.
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