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sys.symmetric_keys (Transact-SQL)

Returns one row for every symmetric key created with the CREATE SYMMETRIC KEY statement.

Column name

Data type

Description

name

sysname

Name of the key. Unique within the database.

principal_id

int

ID of the database principal who owns the key.

symmetric_key_id

int

ID of the key. Unique within the database.

key_length

int

Length of the key in bits.

key_algorithm

char(2)

Algorithm used with the key:

R2 = RC2

R4 = RC4

D = DES

D3 = Triple DES

DT = TRIPLE_DES_3KEY

DX = DESX

A1 = AES 128

A2 = AES 192

A3 = AES 256

NA = EKM Key

algorithm_desc

nvarchar(60)

Description of the algorithm used with the key:

RC2

RC4

DES

Triple_DES

TRIPLE_DES_3KEY

DESX

AES_128

AES_192

AES_256

NULL (Extensible Key Management algorithms only)

create_date

datetime

Date the key was created.

modify_date

datetime

Date the key was modified.

key_guid

uniqueidentifier

Globally unique identifier (GUID) associated with the key. It is auto-generated for persisted keys. GUIDs for temporary keys are derived from the user-supplied pass phrase.

key_thumbprint

sql_variant

SHA-1 hash of the key. The hash is globally unique. For non-Extensible Key Management keys this value will be NULL.

provider_type

nvarchar(120)

Type of cryptographic provider:

CRYPTOGRAPHIC PROVIDER = Extensible Key Management keys

NULL = Non-Extensible Key Management keys

cryptographic_provider_guid

uniqueidentifier

GUID for the cryptographic provider. For non-Extensible Key Management keys this value will be NULL.

cryptographic_provider_algid

sql_variant

Algorithm ID for the cryptographic provider. For non-Extensible Key Management keys this value will be NULL.

Permissions

In SQL Server 2005 and later versions, the visibility of the metadata in catalog views is limited to securables that a user either owns or on which the user has been granted some permission. For more information, see Metadata Visibility Configuration.

Remarks

The RC4 algorithm is deprecated. This feature will be removed in a future version of Microsoft SQL Server. Do not use this feature in new development work, and modify applications that currently use this feature as soon as possible.

Clarification regarding DES algorithms:

  • DESX was incorrectly named. Symmetric keys created with ALGORITHM = DESX actually use the TRIPLE DES cipher with a 192-bit key. The DESX algorithm is not provided. This feature will be removed in a future version of Microsoft SQL Server. Avoid using this feature in new development work, and plan to modify applications that currently use this feature.

  • Symmetric keys created with ALGORITHM = TRIPLE_DES_3KEY use TRIPLE DES with a 192-bit key.

  • Symmetric keys created with ALGORITHM = TRIPLE_DES use TRIPLE DES with a 128-bit key.