> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.futurex.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Configuring EKM on the SQL Server

> Step-by-step guide to enable and register the Futurex EKM provider on SQL Server.

This section shows how to enable **EKM** on the SQL Server and register the Futurex **EKM** provider.

## Enable the EKM provider option

To use the Futurex **EKM** provider, you must enable the EKM provider option on the SQL Server.

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Open the SQL Server Management Studio application.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Connect to the SQL Server
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Open a Query window and execute the following commands:

    ```sql expandable lines wrap title="Sql" theme={null}
    sp_configure 'show advanced', 1
    GO
    RECONFIGURE
    GO
    sp_configure 'EKM provider enabled', 1
    GO
    RECONFIGURE
    GO
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Register the Futurex EKM provider

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Open a new Query window in SQL Server Management Studio and execute the following command:

    ```sql expandable lines wrap title="Sql" theme={null}
    CREATE CRYPTOGRAPHIC PROVIDER FuturexEkmProvider
        FROM FILE = 'C:\Program Files\Futurex\fxekm\fxekm.dll';
    GO
    ```

    <Warning>
      If you encounter the error Cannot initialize cryptographic provider. Provider error code: 1. (Failure - Consult EKM provider for details), perform the following steps:

      1. Switch the Server Authentication type to Windows Authentication.
      2. Right-click the DB server, select Properties, and go to the Security tab.
      3. Change the Server Authentication type from SQL & Windows Authentication to Windows Authentication.
    </Warning>
  </Step>
</Steps>