CODEWITHSUNDEEP
encryptionsql-server-2019
Don Chambers
Don Chambers

Reputation: 4309

Can't restore Service Master Key to developer edition, but can to localdb

I need to restore the service master key from a server to my local database. This is working on SQL Server Express's (localdb)\msSqlLocalDB database, but it's not working on the SQL Server Developer edition on the same machine.

I use this SQL statement to restore the key:

ALTER SERVICE MASTER KEY REGENERATE 
GO

RESTORE SERVICE MASTER KEY 
FROM FILE = N'\\exported_servicemasterkey' 
DECRYPTION BY PASSWORD = 'my_password'
FORCE
GO

I get an error from the restore step:

Msg 15317, Level 16, State 2, Line 4
The master key file does not exist or has invalid format.

I am sure the file is there, and the format is correct. It's working on localDB.

Upvotes: 1

Views: 300

Answers (1)

Don Chambers
Don Chambers

Reputation: 4309

The exported_servicemasterkey file in the original question is a network location. Apparently, the account running localDB (NT Service\MSSQL$SQLEXPRESS) has access to this location. The account running developer edition (NT Service\MSSQLSERVER) do not have access to the location. I coped the file from the network location to my drive. The restore worked after this.

Upvotes: 1

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