---
name: watsonx-bi-microsoft_sql
title: Microsoft SQL Server
description: Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database management system.
last-updated: 2026-03-26
---

> ## Documentation Index
> The table of contents for this documentation set is at https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/watsonx-bi?format=markdown
> The index for all IBM Cloud docs is at: https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use these files to discover more information as needed.

# Microsoft SQL Server
{: #microsoft_sql}

Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database management system. {: #shortdesc}


## Supported versions
{: #supp_microsoft_sql}

Microsoft SQL Server 2022

## Create a connection to Microsoft SQL Server
{: #create_microsoft_sql}

To create the connection, you need these connection details:

- Database name - You do not have to specify the database. With no database specified, you can import metadata from every database that is available for that connection.

- Hostname or IP address

- Port number or Instance name - If the server is configured for dynamic ports, use the Instance name.

- Username and password

- Domain name - If the Microsoft SQL Server has been set up in a domain that uses NTLM (New Technology LAN Manager) authentication, select Use Active Directory and enter the name of the domain that is associated with the username and password.

- SSL certificate, if required by the database server

For **Private connectivity**, to connect to a database that is not externalized to the internet (for example, behind a firewall), you must set up a [secure connection](https://cloud.ibm.com/docs/watsonx-bi?topic=watsonx-bi-satellite&format=markdown){: external}.

## Restriction
{: #restriction_microsoft_sql}

Except for NTLM authentication, Windows Authentication is not supported.