Always Encrypted Client Driver installation

Question

We are doing research on SQL Server Always Encrypted. One question we have is in regards to the client driver. We would be using the .NET Framework Data Provider for SQL Server. Is this included as part of the .NET Framework 4.6 or would we need to install a separate driver package to all our clients to enable the client decryption as part of AE?

Thanks

Answer 1

.NET Framework 4.6 should be good enough for plain Always Encrypted. If you plan to use Always Encrypted with Enclaves, you will need a newer version.

SqlClient has been lifted out from .NET Framework, and is now Microsoft.Data.SqlClient, which is what you would use for the most recent features.

Answer 2

Hi @Mark Sanchez ,

You need to ensure .NET Framework version 4.6.1 or higher is installed on your development machine. You also need to ensure .NET Framework version 4.6 or higher is configured as the target .NET Framework version in your development environment.

The level of support for Always Encrypted in particular versions of .NET Framework varies. Please, see the Always Encrypted API reference section below for details.

Please refer to MS document Using Always Encrypted with the .NET Framework Data Provider for SQL Server.

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