General Issues

• What is SQL permissions?

  Idera’s SQL permissions is a free tool for copying or moving logins and permissions settings across SQLservers. SQL permissions automates the time consuming job of configuring logins and permissions on one server to match another by generating a customizable TSQL script to do this for you. SQL permissions also offers the flexibility to move one login or a group of logins and apply permissions across all databases on the target server, or a single database.

  If you are looking for advanced tools to manage security and compliance on your SQL servers, then check out SQL compliance manager and SQL secure. SQL compliance manager automates the entire compliance process from data gathering to reporting and alerting; and SQL secure analyzes users’ permissions across SQL Server, Active Directory and Windows to tell you exactly who can access what on your SQL servers.

• What are Idera free tools?

  Idera free tools are developed by the engineering team at Idera to alleviate common, day-to-day DBA headaches. They are yours to use anywhere you like, completely free of charge.

  All the support materials that you need to install, configure and use Idera free tools are provided via these FAQs.

  We’d love to hear what you think about our free tools, so if you have comments, feedback or ideas for other cool tools then drop us an email at freeware@idera.com.

• Why is Idera offering SQL permissions?

  Moving permissions from one server to another is a pain to do manually, so a tool like SQL permissions can save DBAs lots of time.

  And... we think that if you like SQL permissions then you’ll love our other products like SQL compliance manager and SQL secure.

• How are Idera free tools supported?

  Idera free tools are supported differently than our licensed software products – support is available only via online FAQs vs. 24x7 phone support, and upgrades come when they come vs. regular maintenance upgrades.

Product Feature Questions

• How do I install SQL permissions?

  Installation of SQL permissions is very easy and takes only minutes. Simply download the installation package and follow the prompts. Refer to the product Quick Start Guide for help getting started using the product.

• How do I use SQL permissions to copy permissions from one server to another?

  SQL permissions generates a customizable TSQL script to move user logins and permissions from one server to another. To generate the TSQL script, follow these easy steps:

  1. Install and launch SQL permissions
  2. Select a login method
  3. If you select SQL Server Authentication, please enter your username and password.
  4. Select (or type in) the name of the SQL Server that you want to copy permissions FROM
  5. Select (or type in) a single database name or select ALL for database(s) that you want to copy permissions FROM.
  6. Select the User account whose permissions you would like to copy. Use CTRL + Shift to select multiple accounts.
  7. Click “Generate” to produce the TSQL script. You will be prompted to enter a path and file name where you would like to save the script. You can then edit the TSQL script as needed to customize it further.
  8. To run the TSQL script, locate the saved SQLpermission.sql file.
  9. Move the file to the server where you wish to replicate the user logins and permissions.
  10. Double click the SQLpermission.sql file. Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio will be launched.
  11. When prompted, enter the server name and credential information to connect to the SQL Server you wish to apply the logins and permissions to.
  12. Once connected, select Query > Execute to run the script.
• What type of user interface is provided for SQL permissions?

  SQL permissions provides a graphical user interface (GUI) where you can enter the information required and generate your TSQL script.

• Does SQL permissions install any code on the database server?

  No, SQL permissions does not install any code on the database server.

• How is Idera SQL permissions different from Idera SQL secure?

  While SQL permissions helps you transfer logins and permissions from one server to another, it cannot verify that users have the appropriate access rights on your SQL Server.

  Idera SQL secure is a permissions analysis tool that analyzes users’ rights across SQL Server, Active Directory and Windows to determine exactly who can do what on your SQL Servers. A free trial of SQL secure is available here.

Technical Questions

• What are the system requirements and prerequisites for SQL permissions?

  SQL permissions requires Microsoft .NET 2.0, and a supported OS:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4
  • Microsoft Windows 2003
  • Microsoft Windows XP
  • Microsoft Windows Vista
  • Microsoft Windows 2008
• What Windows security permissions are required?

  A windows domain account with local administrator privileges is required to install and run SQL permissions. This account must also have login access to the SQL Servers from which you want to copy logins and permissions.

• What SQL Server security permissions are required to use SQL permissions?

  The account you use to connect to a SQL Server should have administrator privileges.

• What versions of Microsoft SQL Server does SQL permissions support?

  SQL permissions supports the following versions of Microsoft SQL Server:

  • SQL Server 2000 (SP3a+)
  • SQL Server 2005 (SP1+)
  • SQL Server 2008
• Do we offer a 32- and 64-bit version of SQL permissions?

  We currently offer only a 32-bit version of SQL permissions.

• Does SQL permissions offer International language support?

  No. SQL permissions does not currently offer International language support.

• Do I need to make any changes to the script before I apply it to the target server?

  On occasion, the scripts created by SQL permissions may need editing before they can be applied to the target server. Please thoroughly review the script detail and make any necessary modifications before attempting to run the script on the target server.

  NOTE: All SQL login accounts are generated as Disabled and with a random password.

• What object types are not supported by SQL permissions?

  SQL permissions does not support the following object types for SQL Server 2000, SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server 2008:

  • System Objects
  • Application roles
  • Fixed roles
  • Public role

If you have comments, feedback or need assistance with a topic that is not covered in the FAQ, please email us at freeware@idera.com.