How to: Set the SQL Server Connection (SQL Server Management Studio)

This topic describes how to set the connection between Microsoft SQL Server Agent and the Database Engine.

To set the SQL Server connection

In Object Explorer, connect to an instance of the SQL Server Database Engine and then expand that instance.
Right-click SQL Server Agent, and then click Properties.
In the SQL Server Agent Properties dialog box, click Connection and under SQL Server connection, do of the following:
- Select Use Windows Authentication to enable SQL Server Agent to connect to an instance of the SQL Server Database Engine with Microsoft Windows Authentication. Connections to SQL Server 2005 databases require Windows Authentication.
- Select Use SQL Server Authentication to connect to an instance of the SQL Server Database Engine using SQL Server Authentication. Microsoft SQL Server 2005 does not support SQL Server Authentication for SQL Server Agent connections. SQL Server Authentication for Agent connections is available for Microsoft SQL Server 2000 only. This option may be necessary if the instance of SQL Server is installed on a computer that is not a member of a Windows domain.
  
  Security Note:
  
  When possible, use Windows Authentication.
  
  If you selected **Use SQL Server Authentication**, select a login ID from the **Login** list. The **Login** list is automatically populated with the login names and groups that belong to the **sysadmin** fixed server role. In the **Password** box, enter the password for the SQL Server login.