SQL Server Linked Server to Azure SQL using Azure AD

Question

I am trying to set up a linked server from an on-prem SQL Server to an Azure SQL instance. The Azure SQL instance uses Azure AD for authentication. When we attempt the connection we get this error

The server it can not open is the piece after the @ symbol in the typical azure ad user name ie:[email protected]

I have searched the internet for answer and I can not find any reference to used Azure AD for a linked server connection. Is this simply not possible?

Answer 1

Unfortunately, this is not possible today.

Standard Active Directory (AD) authentication works, however Azure Active Directory Authentication (AAD) is not implemented in the on-premises version of SQL Server for linked servers.

I have not tried Active Directory Federation Services Authentication (ADFS), however.

Linked servers outbound from Azure SQL Managed Instance do support Azure Active Directory Authentication, in limited scenarios.