connect-with-sa.md

author	rwestMSFT
ms.author	randolphwest
ms.date	11/18/2024
ms.service	sql
ms.topic	include
ms.custom	linux-related-content

When you connect to your [!INCLUDE ssnoversion-md] instance using the system administrator (sa) account for the first time after installation, it's important for you to follow these steps, and then immediately disable the sa account as a security best practice.

1. Create a new login, and make it a member of the sysadmin server role.

   • Depending on whether you have a container or non-container deployment, enable Windows authentication, and create a new Windows-based login and add it to the sysadmin server role.

     • Tutorial: Use adutil to configure Active Directory authentication with SQL Server on Linux

     • Tutorial: Configure Active Directory authentication with SQL Server on Linux containers

   • Otherwise, create a login using [!INCLUDE ssnoversion-md] authentication, and add it to the sysadmin server role.

2. Connect to the [!INCLUDE ssnoversion-md] instance using the new login you created.

3. Disable the sa account, as recommended for security best practice.