Part 1 – SQL Server TDE and Extensible Key Management Using Azure Key Vault

This post has been republished via RSS; it originally appeared at: SQL Server articles.

Install the SQL Server Connector for Microsoft Azure Key Vault 

This is Part:1 of a 4-part blog series:

This blog in the series installs the SQL Server Connector for Microsoft Azure Key Vault. This DLL is the provider that allows SQL Server to talk to Azure Key Vault.

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Download the SQL Server Connector from the Microsoft Download Center. (The download/install  should be done by a "local administrator" on the SQL Server computer.) 

 

[!NOTE] Versions 1.0.0.440 and older have been replaced and are no longer supported in production environments. Upgrade to version 1.0.1.0 or later by visiting the Microsoft Download Center  and using the instructions on the SQL Server Connector Maintenance & Troubleshooting  page under "Upgrade of SQL Server Connector."[!NOTE] There is a breaking change in 1.0.5.0 version, in terms of the thumbprint algorithm. You may experience database restore failure after upgrading to 1.0.5.0 version. Please refer KB article 447099.

 

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By default, the connector installs at C:\Program Files\SQL Server Connector for Microsoft Azure Key Vault\. This location can be changed during setup. (If changed, adjust the scripts as appropriate.) 

There is no interface for the Connector, but if it is installed successfully, the Microsoft.AzureKeyVaultService.EKM.dll file is installed on the machine.

 

This is the cryptographic EKM provider DLL that needs to be registered with SQL Server by using the CREATE CRYPTOGRAPHIC PROVIDER statement. 

The SQL Server Connector installation also allows you to optionally download sample scripts for SQL Server encryption. 

 

You can validate by navigating to the installation path, right-click on the file, select "properties", select the Details tab and validate the Product version as: 1.0.50.

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To view error code explanations, configuration settings, or maintenance tasks for SQL Server Connector, visit the appendix at the bottom of this topic: 

Conclusion

Installing the SQL Connector is just the first step in configuring SQL Server TDE to use Azure Key Vault. Continue the setup process using the Azure Portal (Part:AP2or PowerShell (Part: PS2).

 

 See you at the next blog (Part: 2) 

 

Adrian

Next steps

SQL Server Transparent Data Encryption and Extensible Key Management Using Azure Key Vault – Intro  

SQL Server Connector for Microsoft Azure Key Vault (aka: SQL Server Connector) – Part: 1 (this document) 

Azure Portal Method

PowerShell Method

Set up an Azure Active Directory Service Principal – Part: AP2

Setup Azure Active Directory Service Principal and  Azure Key Vault (one script) – Part: PS2

This script combines Part: AP2 & Part:AP3

Create an Azure Key Vault – Part: AP3

Configure SQL Server TDE EKM using AKV – Part: 4

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