How to Create a New SQL Server Login

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Article Goal

This article explains how to create additional user logins for a Microsoft SQL Server instance—a required step when setting up MDS Views or configuring the Scheduler to use a SQL-based backend.

Why Is This Important?

Creating a dedicated SQL login ensures that:

• VDM and related tools have authenticated access to your SQL Server.

• You can enforce security best practices by assigning only the required roles.

• MDS and Scheduler configurations work reliably and securely using the correct credentials.

• You avoid dependency on Windows authentication or personal admin accounts for service-level access.

This is especially important when setting up shared environments, scheduled jobs, or MDS views.

Prerequisites

• You must have Microsoft SQL Server installed: Download SQL Server Express

• You need administrative access to the SQL Server instance to create and configure logins.

Steps to Create a New SQL Server Login

1: Open SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS): Right-click on your SQL Server instance in Object Explorer and select Properties.

Make sure you're connected as a user with the needed permissions.

2: Set Authentication Mode: In the Server Properties window:

• Select the Security page.

• Choose SQL Server and Windows Authentication mode.

• Click OK to save changes.

This setting allows both domain users and SQL-authenticated users to log in.

3: Open the Logins Panel: In Object Explorer, expand the Security folder.

• Right-click on Logins

• Select New Login…

4: Define Login Credentials
In the Login - New window:

• Enter a Login name.

• Choose SQL Server Authentication.

• Enter and confirm a secure password.

Uncheck “Enforce password policy” if the account is used by a background service like the Scheduler.

5: Configure User Mapping and Permissions: On the User Mapping page:

• Map the user to the master database.

• Enable the following roles:

  • db_datareader

  • db_datawriter

  • db_owner

  • db_securityadmin

Special Note for Scheduler Setup:
If you're using this login for Scheduler, also:

• Create a new database called Scheduler

• Map the login to it

• Enable db_datareader and db_datawriter roles for that database

6: Restart SQL Server: Right-click your SQL Server instance and select Restart to apply authentication changes.

Restart is required only if the authentication mode was changed.

7: Test the New Login: Try logging in to your SQL Server using the new credentials:

• Select SQL Server Authentication

• Enter the new username and password

Successful login confirms the account is active and ready to use with VDM or Scheduler.

Article Summary

This article walks you through creating a SQL Server login with the appropriate roles to support VDM, MDS, or Scheduler configurations. It includes enabling SQL authentication, mapping roles to the master (and optionally Scheduler) database, and verifying the login works.

What’s Next?

Now that your SQL login is ready, you can:

• Use it in a VDM Connection Profile

• Assign it as the MDS SQL User

• Connect the Scheduler to a SQL database