Types of Microsoft SQL Authentication

Microsoft SQL Server provides the following two types of user authentication:

• Apply the Windows login identification
• Use separate user credentials specific to Microsoft SQL Server

Although Microsoft recommends using only Windows authentication wherever possible, in certain instances it is appropriate, or even necessary, to enable Microsoft SQL Server-based authentication. For example, you must use Microsoft SQL Server authentication for Microsoft SQL Server 2000 or 2005 when the database is running in a cluster. For more information on clusters, see Microsoft documentation.