Microsoft® SQL Server 2012 Unleashed

Mixed Authentication Mode

Mixed authentication allows for both Windows authentication and SQL Server authentication. SQL Server authentication is based on a login that is created in SQL Server and lives in SQL Server only. No Windows account is involved with SQL Server authentication. The account and password are established and maintained in SQL Server. SQL Server logins can be created with stronger password enforcement that help better protect the login. This topic is discussed in more detail in the section, “Managing SQL Server Logins,” later in this chapter.

SQL Server authentication is useful in environments in which a Windows domain controller does not control network access. It can also be useful for Web applications or legacy applications, ...