Do we support Windows Authentication for SQL Express Database?

Products

• Endpoint Protection

Issue/Introduction

Do we support changing from SQL server authentication ( mixed mode) to Windows Authentication in SQL Express Database?

Environment

Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager (SEPM) with SQL Express Database.

Resolution

Changing from Mixed mode to Windows Authentication is not supported.

Additional Information

Default SEPM installation where SEPM creates the SQL Express installation for the user, when running the server configuration wizard, the option to switch authentication mode is disabled when the default SQL Express is used and hence is not supported.  This is also due to SEPM having to be able to remove the database when SEPM needs to be uninstalled, thus additional changes may break the uninstall.

Furthermore, we have checked that when SEPM creates the SQL Express instance, it creates a database user with the name "DBA" with SQL authentication, but to switch to Windows authentication, it involves deleting and creating a new user and configuring the appropriate attributes.  In addition, on the SEPM side, more needs to be done, e.g. changing the database connector properties as well as ODBC for reporting.  Hence its not supported.