Can a Certificate’s Private Key be Imported / Restored From a Binary Literal / Hex Bytes ?

Can a Certificate's Private Key be Restored From a Binary Literal / Hex Bytes? The Documentation Says, "No". What Does SQL Server Say?

SQLCLR vs SQL Server 2017, Part 9: Does PERMISSION_SET Still Matter, or is Everything Now UNSAFE?

For SQLCLR in SQL Server 2017 and newer, when "CLR strict security" is enabled, does PERMISSION_SET matter, or are assemblies always UNSAFE?

SQLCLR vs SQL Server 2017, Part 8: Is SQLCLR Deprecated in Favor of Python or R (sp_execute_external_script)?

(last updated: 2020-01-09 @ 13:15 EST / 2020-01-09 @ 18:15 UTC ) With the additional (and annoying) configuration step required to get SQLCLR Assemblies to load starting in SQL Server 2017, some people have been wondering what is going on with SQLCLR. Considering that this new restriction is the only real change to SQLCLR since… Continue reading SQLCLR vs SQL Server 2017, Part 8: Is SQLCLR Deprecated in Favor of Python or R (sp_execute_external_script)?

SQLCLR vs. SQL Server 2012 & 2014 & 2016, Part 7: “CLR strict security” – The Problem Continues … in the Past (Wait, What?!?)

Using SQLCLR on SQL Server 2012, 2014, or 2016? Jealous of the "fun" those on SQL 2017 are having with "CLR strict security"? Come see how you can join the party 😼

SQL# Version 4.1 is released!!

Here's what's new in SQL# Version 4.1 😺 😎

PLEASE, Please, please Stop Using Impersonation, TRUSTWORTHY, and Cross-DB Ownership Chaining

Module Signing was introduced in SQL Server 2005, and yet people are still using Impersonation, TRUSTWORTHY, and Cross-DB Ownership Chaining. This needs to stop.

SQLCLR vs. SQL Server 2017, Part 6: “Trusted Assemblies” – Whitelisted Assemblies can’t do Module Signing

"Trusted Assemblies", a new feature starting in SQL Server 2017, is a means of whitelisting Assemblies that one feels pose no threat, and can be created (and used) without needing to be a) signed and b) have a corresponding signature-based Login that has been granted the UNSAFE ASSEMBLY permission. In Part 4 of this series… Continue reading SQLCLR vs. SQL Server 2017, Part 6: “Trusted Assemblies” – Whitelisted Assemblies can’t do Module Signing

SQLCLR vs. SQL Server 2017, Part 5: “Trusted Assemblies” – Valid Use Cases?

In the previous post in this series on SQLCLR in SQL Server 2017 — Part 4: “Trusted Assemblies” — The Disappointment — we looked at what the "Trusted Assemblies" feature is, what it meant to do, the problems with it, and what the better and more appropriate approach is. "Trusted Assemblies" is a simple mechanism… Continue reading SQLCLR vs. SQL Server 2017, Part 5: “Trusted Assemblies” – Valid Use Cases?

SQLCLR vs. SQL Server 2017, Part 4: “Trusted Assemblies” – The Disappointment (Msg 10314)

"Trusted Assemblies", introduced in RC1 of SQL Server 2017, seems like a reasonable fix for one, if not two, problems resulting from the new "CLR strict security" setting. But are there any problems with it? And even if not (don't worry, there are), might there be a better approach? Perhaps something simple that was overlooked?

SQLCLR vs. SQL Server 2017, Part 3: “CLR strict security” – Solution 2

Welcome back, everyone. In the previous post in this series, I explained how to work within the new SQLCLR security restriction in SQL Server 2017 (i.e. that all Assemblies need to be signed and have a corresponding Login that has been granted the UNSAFE ASSEMBLY permission). That approach is 22 steps, but they are all… Continue reading SQLCLR vs. SQL Server 2017, Part 3: “CLR strict security” – Solution 2