Define SQL Server Asymmetric Keys

Use the SQL Server Asymmetric Key Editor to define security keys at the database level in a SQL Server 2005/2008 physical model.

To define SQL Server asymmetric keys

  1. Click Security, Asymmetric Keys on the Database menu.

    The SQL Server Asymmetric Key Editor opens.

  2. Select the asymmetric key in the Navigation Grid that you want to define and work with the following options:

    Note: Click New <New> icon in property editors on the toolbar to create a new asymmetric key.

    Name

    Displays the asymmetric key name. You can change the asymmetric key name in this field.

    Authorization

    Specifies the owner of the asymmetric key. Select a name from the drop-down list.

    Generate

    Generates SQL during forward engineering. Clear the check box if you do not want to generate SQL.

  3. Click the General tab and select one of the following options for the asymmetric key:
    Algorithm

    Specifies to use an algorithm for the asymmetric key. Select an algorithm from the drop-down list.

    Key Source Type

    Specifies the source of the key. Select one of the following options:

    File

    Specifies to use a file as the key source. A File field appears under the Key Source Type field, where you select the file to use from the drop-down list.

    Note: Click New <New> icon in property editors to open the SQL Server File Editor to create a new key file.

    Executable

    Specifies to use an executable as the key source. A File field appears under the Key Source Type field, where you select the file to use from the drop-down list.

    Note: Click New <New> icon in property editors to open the SQL Server File Editor to create a new executable file.

    Assembly

    Specifies to use a SQL Server assembly file as the key source. An Assembly field appears under the Key Source Type field, where you select the assembly to use from the drop-down list.

    Note: Click New <New> icon in property editors to open the SQL Server Assembly Editor to create a new assembly.

  4. Click the Permission tab to define the permissions for the asymmetric key.
  5. (Optional) Click the Comment tab and enter any comments that you want to associate with the asymmetric key.
  6. (Optional) Click the UDP tab to work with user-defined properties for the asymmetric key.
  7. Click Close.

    The asymmetric key is defined and the SQL Server Asymmetric Key Editor closes.

More information:

Define Permissions for an Object in a SQL Server Property Editor

Add a Comment in a Property Editor

Add a UDP in a Physical Property Editor