What's New in SQL MCP Server 2.0 | Data Exposed
Microsoft Developer introduces SQL MCP Server 2.0 and explains how it helps agentic apps work with production SQL data more safely, including new OBO authentication, MCP tool improvements, and security guardrails, with demos covering configuration and controlling access across Graph, REST, and MCP.
Overview
The episode covers what SQL MCP Server is, why it was created, and what’s new in the 2.0 release for building agentic solutions that need to interoperate with production SQL data.
What SQL MCP Server is
- SQL MCP Server is positioned as a way for AI/agentic applications to work with SQL data through MCP tooling.
- The discussion frames it as enabling safer, more controlled access to production data for agents.
What’s new in SQL MCP Server 2.0
- OBO authentication (On-Behalf-Of) to support delegated access patterns.
- Tailored MCP tools to better fit common developer/architect needs when connecting agents to SQL.
- Security guardrails to help prevent agents from accessing “dangerous areas” when operating against production data.
Integration with Data API Builder (DAB)
- The video calls out benefits of being integrated with Data API Builder (DAB).
- Reference to a prior DAB-focused episode: https://youtu.be/8b_4ftQP1IY?si=dwdtyxOxYedXaB2G
Demos shown in the episode
- A walkthrough demo of SQL MCP Server usage.
- A demo focused on controlling and exposing interfaces across:
- Graph
- REST
- MCP
- A demo of how to configure MCP.
- A demo of how to try SQL MCP Server and review available tools.
Resources
- SQL MCP Server resources: https://aka.ms/sql/mcp
Episode chapters (from the video description)
- 0:35 Data API Builder (DAB) reference
- 1:22 What is SQL MCP Server
- 1:50 Why did we create it
- 3:08 Benefits of being integrated with DAB
- 5:15 Demo
- 7:44 Controlling Graph, REST, MCP - Demo
- 8:45 Configure MCP - Demo
- 9:01 Try SQL MCP Server and review tools - Demo
- 11:20 Wrap up