IBM Support

Linked Servers are not working on SQL Server

Troubleshooting


Problem

While creating the Linked server with remote login and password, you receive an error and Linked server is not created.



Symptom

Error :

A generic failure occurred during Service Master Key encryption or decryption. There is no remote user 'flxadmin' mapped to local user '(null)' from the remote server 'SQLSERVERNAME'. (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 33096)

image-20241212103849-1

Cause

This condition occurs when you restore a database on the SQL server without the Master Key password.

Environment

Operating System :- All Windows server versions
All SQL server versions.

Diagnosing The Problem

Based on the error generated, you will need the master key before we can create a Linked server.

Resolving The Problem

If you have the Master key, you can use the following syntax to change the properties of a database master key.

-- Syntax for SQL Server
ALTER MASTER KEY <alter_option>
<alter_option> ::=
    <regenerate_option> | <encryption_option>
<regenerate_option> ::=
    [ FORCE ] REGENERATE WITH ENCRYPTION BY PASSWORD = 'password'
<encryption_option> ::=
    ADD ENCRYPTION BY { SERVICE MASTER KEY | PASSWORD = 'password' }
    |
    DROP ENCRYPTION BY { SERVICE MASTER KEY | PASSWORD = 'password' }


If you do not have the master key password, the only option will be to re-install the SQL instance or install a new SQL server and move the databases to it.

Document Location

Worldwide


[{"Type":"MASTER","Line of Business":{"code":"LOB66","label":"Technology Lifecycle Services"},"Business Unit":{"code":"","label":""},"Product":{"code":"SSDMOX","label":"Microsoft SQL Server"},"ARM Category":[],"Platform":[{"code":"PF025","label":"Platform Independent"}],"Version":"All Versions"}]

Document Information

More support for:
Microsoft SQL Server

Software version:
All Versions

Document number:
7178688

Modified date:
12 December 2024

UID

ibm17178688