# Using Microsoft SQL Server as a source

This section describes how to set up connectivity to the Microsoft SQL Server database defined as the source endpoint for the Replicate task. This is required if you want to discover the tables and/or views from the source database as opposed to the landing zone. For a list of the pros and cons of each method, see [Discovering the Source Database or Landing Zone](https://help.qlik.com/en-US/compose/December2024/Content/ComposeDWDL/Main/DW/Model/discover_source_database_or_landing_area.htm).

It contains the following topics:

* [Prerequisites](https://help.qlik.com/en-US/compose/December2024/Content/ComposeDWDL/Main/DW/Data%20Source%20Connections/prerequisites_sql_server_source.htm)
* [Working with Windows authentication](https://help.qlik.com/en-US/compose/December2024/Content/ComposeDWDL/Main/DW/General/windows_authentication_sql.htm)
* [Microsoft SQL Server data types](https://help.qlik.com/en-US/compose/December2024/Content/ComposeDWDL/Main/DW/Data%20Source%20Connections/data_types_sql_server_source.htm)
* [Defining the connection parameters](https://help.qlik.com/en-US/compose/December2024/Content/ComposeDWDL/Main/DW/Data%20Source%20Connections/define_connection_parameters_mysql_source.htm)