---
title: "Secret Server Credentials"
description: "Secret Server Credentials"
product: "Guardian"
edition: "Classic"
type: "reference"
url: "https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/what-s-new/2-previous-release/2025/quarterly/q2/secret-server-credentials/"
---
# Secret Server Credentials

Applies to: `Guardian Classic`

| Included in Version | Release Date |
| --- | --- |
| V3.54.0 | [April 2025 Quarterly Release](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/what-s-new/2-previous-release/2025/quarterly/q2/april-2025/index.md) |

To further enhance credential management in Guardian, you can now integrate your Guardian instance with Secret Server to securely retrieve credentials from your organisation's existing Secret Server account and use them as the authentication method when adding a Linux, Windows, or Network device node. This feature helps centralise credential storage, improve security, and reduce the need to manually manage credentials across multiple nodes. For more information on the new Secret Server integration, see [Secret Server Integration](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/control/integrations/secret-server-integration/index.md).

!!! note

    This is an optional feature that must be enabled. For more information on how to enable it, contact your Cloudhouse Representative.

![Secret server integration1](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/assets/images/guardian/misc/secret-server-integration1.png)

## Use Secret Server credentials

To use Secret Server credentials as the authentication method Guardian uses to access nodes, the following dependencies must be met:

- Secret Server account – Configured with credentials.
- Secret Server integration – Set up in Guardian, with the folder path(s) to your existing credentials defined.

Once you add a Secret Server integration, you will see the new **Secret Server** radio button under the **Password** credential type when adding a [Linux Node](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/inventory/add-nodes/add-a-single-node/agentless/linux-node/index.md), [Windows Node](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/inventory/add-nodes/add-a-single-node/agentless/windows-node/index.md) or [Network Device Node](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/inventory/add-nodes/add-a-single-node/agentless/network-device-node/index.md). For more information on how to use a Secret Server credential when adding a node, see the sections below.

!!! note

    The following image shows where the Secret Server option appears when adding a Linux node.

![Secret server items](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/assets/images/guardian/misc/secret-server-items.png)

!!! tip

    Additionally, if the Credentials feature is enabled, the **Guardian Credentials Vault** radio button is available for selection. For more information, see [Credential Vault](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/what-s-new/3-archive/2024/quarterly-releases/q2/credential-vault/index.md).

### Linux or network device node

Use your organisation's Secret Server credentials to allow Guardian to authenticate access to Linux or network device nodes without the need for manual credential entry.

To add a Linux or network device node using Secret Server credentials, complete the following steps:

1. In the Guardian web application, navigate to the **Add Nodes** tab (**Inventory** > **Add Nodes**). The **Add Nodes** page is displayed.

    ![Add nodes tab](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/assets/images/guardian/inventory/add-nodes/single-nodes/add-nodes-tab.png)

2. Type the node name in the search bar.
3. Select the node you want to add and click the **Go Agentless** button to proceed. The **Connect Agentlessly to [Node Type]** page is displayed.

    ![Linux node](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/assets/images/guardian/inventory/add-nodes/single-nodes/linux-node.png)

4. Select the **Password** radio button to display the new **Secret Server** radio button. The **Secret Server Items** drop-down list is displayed.

    ![Add nodes linux secret server](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/assets/images/guardian/misc/add-nodes-linux-secret-server.png)

5. Select a credential from the **Secret Server Items** drop-down list.
6. Finally, click to **Update** or **Scan Node**.

By selecting a credential, you can securely authenticate Guardian's access to the node without manually entering credentials.

### Windows node

Use your organisation's Secret Server credentials to allow Guardian to authenticate access to Windows nodes without the need for manual credential entry.

To add a Windows node using Secret Server credentials, complete the following steps:

1. In the Guardian web application, navigate to the **Add Nodes** tab. The **Add Nodes** page is displayed.

    ![Add nodes tab](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/assets/images/guardian/inventory/add-nodes/single-nodes/add-nodes-tab.png)

2. Type 'Windows' in the search bar.
3. Select the 'Windows' node type you want to add and click the **Go Agentless** button to proceed. The **Connect Agentlessly to [Node Type]** page is displayed.

    ![Go agentless windows](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/assets/images/guardian/misc/go-agentless-windows.png)

4. Select the **Secret Server** radio button. The **Secret Server Items** drop-down list is displayed.

    ![Add nodes windows secret server](https://docs.cloudhouse.com/guardian/classic/assets/images/guardian/misc/add-nodes-windows-secret-server.png)

5. Select a credential from the **Secret Server Items** drop-down list.
6. Finally, click to **Update** or **Scan Node**.

By selecting a credential, you can securely authenticate Guardian's access to the node without manually entering credentials.