Article
02/08/2012

MasterKey Class

The MasterKey object represents a SQL Server database master key.

Inheritance Hierarchy

System.Object
  Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Smo.SmoObjectBase
    Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Smo.SqlSmoObject
      Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Smo.MasterKey

Namespace: Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Smo
Assembly: Microsoft.SqlServer.Smo (in Microsoft.SqlServer.Smo.dll)

Syntax

'Declaration
Public NotInheritable Class MasterKey _
    Inherits SqlSmoObject _
    Implements ISfcSupportsDesignMode, IDroppable
'Usage
Dim instance As MasterKey

public sealed class MasterKey : SqlSmoObject, 
    ISfcSupportsDesignMode, IDroppable

public ref class MasterKey sealed : public SqlSmoObject, 
    ISfcSupportsDesignMode, IDroppable

[<SealedAttribute>]
type MasterKey =  
    class
        inherit SqlSmoObject
        interface ISfcSupportsDesignMode
        interface IDroppable
    end

public final class MasterKey extends SqlSmoObject implements ISfcSupportsDesignMode, IDroppable

The MasterKey type exposes the following members.

Constructors

	Name	Description
	MasterKey()	Initializes a new instance of the MasterKey class.
	MasterKey(Database)	Initializes a new instance of the MasterKey class on the specified database.

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Properties

	Name	Description
	CreateDate	Gets the date and time when the master key was created.
	DateLastModified	Gets the date and time when the master key was last modified.
	ExecuteForScalar	Gets or sets the Boolean property value that specifies whether the object is set to the execute for scalar option. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	IsEncryptedByServer	Gets the Boolean property value that specifies whether the database master key is encrypted by using the service master key or by using a password.
	IsOpen	Gets the Boolean property value that specifies whether the database master key is open.
	IsTouched	Gets the Boolean property value that specifies whether the object properties have been updated but not yet persisted on the server. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	ObjectInSpace	Gets the Boolean property value that specifies whether the object exists in isolation, or whether it is directly or indirectly connected to the instance of SQL Server. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	Parent	Gets the Database object that is the parent of the MasterKey object.
	Properties	Gets a collection of Property objects that represent the object properties. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	ScalarResult	Gets the scalar result for the referenced object. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	State	Gets the state of the referenced object. (Inherited from SmoObjectBase.)
	Urn	Gets the Uniform Resource Name (URN) address value that uniquely identifies the object. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	UserData	Gets or sets user-defined data associated with the referenced object. (Inherited from SmoObjectBase.)

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Methods

	Name	Description
	AddDatabaseContext(StringCollection)	Add the database context to the collection of queries identified by the queries parameter. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	AddDatabaseContext(StringCollection, ScriptingOptions)	Add the database context to the collection of queries identified by the queries parameter, and using the specified scripting options. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	AddPasswordEncryption	Adds password encryption to the master key.
	AddServiceKeyEncryption	Adds service key encryption to the master key.
	AlterImpl	Activates the object altered event. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	AlterImplFinish	Method called when object altered event finishes. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	AlterImplInit	Method called when object-altered event is intialized. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	AlterImplWorker	Calls the Alter methods. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	BindDefaultImpl	Binds the default items identified by the parameters. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	BindRuleImpl	Binds the rule schema to the rule and columns identified by the parameters. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	CheckCollation	Checks the order of the scripting options by the collation method identified by the collationName parameter. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	CheckObjectState()	Validates the state of the referenced object. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	CheckObjectState(Boolean)	Validates the state of the referenced object with the option to specify that an exception is thrown if the object is not yet created. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	CheckObjectStateImpl	Checks the state of a SqlSmoObject. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	CheckVersion100	Checks whether version of SQL Server is SQL Server 2008. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	CheckVersion80	Checks the validity of the object on SQL Server 2000. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	CheckVersion80SP3	Checks the validity of the object on SQL Server 2000 SP3. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	CheckVersion90	Check the validity of the object on SQL Server 2005. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	CheckVersionBelow90	Checks whether version of SQL Server is before SQL Server 2005. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	CleanObject	Sets the object to unmodified state. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	Close	Closes the master key.
	Create(String)	Creates a master key that has the specified password.
	Create(String, String, String)	Creates a master key from the specified file and that has the specified encryption and decryption passwords.
	CreateImpl	Creates an object with scripting options. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	CreateImplFinish	Method called when the create event finishes. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	CreateImplInit	Method called when the create event initializes. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	Discover	Discovers a list of type Object. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	Drop	Removes the master key from the database.
	DropImpl	Drops a SqlSmoObject. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	DropImplWorker	Calls the drop methods. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	DropPasswordEncryption	Removes the password encryption from the master key by using the associated password.
	DropServiceKeyEncryption	Drops service key encryption from the master key.
	EnumKeyEncryptions	Enumerates a list of the current set of key encryptions for the database master key.
	EnumScriptImpl	Enumerates scripts specified by the so parameter. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	EnumScriptImplWorker	Calls the methods that enumerate scripts specified by the so parameter. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	EnumScriptImplWorkerSOChanged	Returns an IEnumerable string describing the scripting options for an object. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	Equals	(Inherited from Object.)
	ExecuteNonQuery	Executes a batch in the context of the database where there are no results returned. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	Export	Saves the database master key to the specified system path location by using the specified password.
	Finalize	(Inherited from Object.)
	FormatSqlVariant	Formats an object as SqlVariant type. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	GenerateDataSpaceFileStreamScript	Generates a script to create data file. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	GenerateDataSpaceScript	Generates a script to allocate space in the data file. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	GetBindDefaultScript	Gets the script that binds defaults specified by the defSchema and defName parameters. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	GetBindRuleScript	Gets the script that specifies the binding rules. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	GetBoolParameter(StringBuilder, ScriptingOptions, String, String, Int32%)	Assigns a Boolean parameter of the SqlSmoObject. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	GetBoolParameter(StringBuilder, ScriptingOptions, String, String, Int32%, Boolean)	Assigns a Boolean property of the SqlSmoObject. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	GetDateTimeParameter	Assigns the datetime property of the SqlSmoObject. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	GetDateTimeParameterAsInt	Assigns the datetime property of the SqlSmoObject as an integer value if the datetime property is not null. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	GetDBName	Gets the database name that is associated with the object. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	GetEnumParameter	Assigns an enumeration property of the SqlSmoObject. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	GetFragOptionString	Gets a FragmentationOption object as a string value. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	GetGuidParameter	Assigns a Guid property of the SqlSmoObject. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	GetHashCode	(Inherited from Object.)
	GetParameter(StringBuilder, ScriptingOptions, String, String, Int32%)	Assigns a parameter of the SqlSmoObject. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	GetParameter(StringBuilder, ScriptingOptions, String, String, Int32%, Boolean)	Assigns a parameter of the SqlSmoObject. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	GetPropValue	Gets a property value of the SqlSmoObject object. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	GetPropValueOptional	Gets a property value of the SqlSmoObject object. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	GetPropValueOptionalAllowNull	Gets a property value of the SqlSmoObject object. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	GetRealValue	Gets a property value of the SqlSmoObject object. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	GetScriptingOptionsForCreate	Gets ScriptingOptions for the SqlSmoObject object. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	GetServerName	Gets the name of the instance of SQL Server with which the object is associated. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	GetServerObject	Gets the server of the SqlSmoObject object. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	GetSqlServerVersionName	Gets the version name of the instance of SQL Server with which the object is associated. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	GetStringParameter(StringBuilder, ScriptingOptions, String, String, Int32%)	Assigns a string parameter of the SqlSmoObject object. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	GetStringParameter(StringBuilder, ScriptingOptions, String, String, Int32%, Boolean)	Assigns a string parameter of the SqlSmoObject object. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	GetTimeSpanParameterAsInt	Assigns a time span parameter of the SqlSmoObject object. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	GetType	(Inherited from Object.)
	GetUrnRecursive(StringBuilder)	Assigns an Urn object of the SqlSmoObject object. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	GetUrnRecursive(StringBuilder, UrnIdOption)	Assigns an Urn object of the SqlSmoObject object. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	ImplInitialize	Initializes the fields of the SqlSmoObject object. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	Import(String, String, String)	Loads the database master key from the file that is located at the specified system path by using the specified passwords to decrypt and encrypt the master key.
	Import(String, String, String, Boolean)	Loads the database master key from the file that is located at the specified system path by using the specified passwords to decrypt and encrypt the master key, and with the option to force regeneration.
	Initialize()	Initializes the object and forces the properties be loaded. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	Initialize(Boolean)	Initializes the object and forces the properties be loaded. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	IsObjectDirty	Verifies whether the object properties have been modified and the changes have not yet been persisted on the instance of SQL Server. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	IsObjectInitialized	Verifies whether the object has been initialized. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	IsObjectInSpace	Verifies whether the object is isolated or connected to the instance of SQL Server. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	IsVersion80SP3	Determines whether the version of SQL Server is SQL Server 2000 with SP3. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	IsVersion90AndAbove	Determines whether the version of SQL Server is SQL Server 2005 or later. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	MarkDropped	Sets the SqlSmoState to dropped. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	MarkForDropImpl	Sets the SqlSmoState to dropped. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	MemberwiseClone	(Inherited from Object.)
	Open	Opens the database master key by using the specified password.
	PostAlter	Method activated after the SqlSmoObject is altered. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	PostCreate	Method activated after the SqlSmoObject is created. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	PostDrop	Method activated after the SqlSmoObject is dropped. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	Refresh	Refreshes the object and retrieves properties when the object is next accessed. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	Regenerate(String)	Regenerates the database master key by using the specified new password.
	Regenerate(String, Boolean)	Regenerates the database master key by using the specified new password, and with the option to force the regeneration, thus removing all items that cannot be successfully decrypted.
	ScriptAlter	Alters the SqlSmoObject according to the parameters. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	ScriptCreate	Alters the SqlSmoObject according to the parameters. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	ScriptDdl	Throws InvalidSmoOperationException. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	ScriptDrop	Throws InvalidSmoOperationException. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	ScriptImpl()	Gets a collection of scripts of the SqlSmoObject. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	ScriptImpl(ScriptingOptions)	Gets a collection of scripts of the SqlSmoObject. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	ScriptImplWorker	Gets a collection of scripts of the SqlSmoObject. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	SetParentImpl	Sets the parent of the SqlSmoObject to the newParent parameter. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	ToString	Returns a String that represents the referenced object. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	TouchImpl	Not implemented. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	UnbindDefaultImpl	Unbinds the default columns of the SqlSmoObject. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	UnbindRuleImpl	Unbinds rules of the SqlSmoObject. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	Validate	Validates the state of an object. (Inherited from SmoObjectBase.)

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Events

	Name	Description
	PropertyChanged	Represents the event that occurs when a property is changed. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	PropertyMetadataChanged	Represents the event that occurs when property metadata changes. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)

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Fields

	Name	Description
	m_ExtendedProperties	Represents a property that is defined to extend the properties provided by a SqlSmoObject. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	singletonParent	Represents the singleton parent. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)

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Explicit Interface Implementations

	Name	Description
	IAlienObject.Discover	Discovers any dependencies. Do not reference this member directly in your code. It supports the SQL Server infrastructure. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	IAlienObject.GetDomainRoot	Returns the root of the domain. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	IAlienObject.GetParent	Gets the parent of this object. Do not reference this member directly in your code. It supports the SQL Server infrastructure. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	IAlienObject.GetPropertyType	Gets the type of the specified property. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	IAlienObject.GetPropertyValue	Gets the value of the specified property. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	IAlienObject.GetUrn	Gets the Unified Resource Name of the object. Do not reference this member directly in your code. It supports the SQL Server infrastructure. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	IAlienObject.Resolve	Gets the instance that contains the information about the object from the Unified Resource Name of the object. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	IAlienObject.SetObjectState	Sets the object state to the specified SfcObjectState value. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	IAlienObject.SetPropertyValue	Sets the property value. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	ISfcPropertyProvider.GetPropertySet	Gets the interface reference to the set of properties of this object. Do not reference this member directly in your code. It supports the SQL Server infrastructure. (Inherited from SqlSmoObject.)
	ISfcSupportsDesignMode.IsDesignMode	Gets a Boolean value that indicates whether the object supports design mode. Identified for informational purposes only. Not supported. Future compatibility is not guaranteed.

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Remarks

A database master key is used to symmetrically encrypt keys and certificates that are stored in the database. A database master key can be encrypted by using the service master key or by using a user-specified password. When a database master key is created, a password must be supplied to encrypt and decrypt it.

When a database is attached to an instance of SQL Server, the database administrator must either supply the master key password or make an unencrypted copy of the master key that is available for encryption with the service master key.

The service master key is the top layer in the encryption hierarchy that is used to encrypt lower layers in the encryption hierarchy. The service master key is generated automatically by Windows. It can be opened only by the Windows service account under which it was created, or by a user who knows both the service account name and its password.

To get MasterKey object properties, users can be a member of the public fixed server role.

To set MasterKey object properties, users must have CONTROL permission on the database or be a member of the db_owner fixed database role.

To create or drop a master key, users must have CONTROL permission on the database or be a member of the db_owner fixed database role.

To open or regenerate a master key, users must have CONTROL permission on the database or be a member of the db_owner fixed database role.

To add or drop service key encryption, users must have CONTROL permission on the database or be a member of the db_owner fixed database role.

To drop a master key, users can be a member of the public fixed server role.

Thread Safety

Any public static (Shared in Visual Basic) members of this type are thread safe. Any instance members are not guaranteed to be thread safe.