---
title: "Core database"
slug: "core-database"
abstract: "Overview of Sitecore Core database supported infrastructure, references, scaling, and privacy and security."
---
# Core database

The Core database stores infrastructure data needed to run Sitecore itself.

<details>
<summary><h2>Supported infrastructure</h2></summary>

You can host the Core database on:

- SQL Server
- SQL Azure

Refer to the [Sitecore compatibility table](https://kb.sitecore.net/articles/087164) for compatible versions.

</details>

<details>
<summary><h2>Reference structure</h2></summary>

The Core database has its place in the Sitecore reference structure. It can be referenced by other roles, and it can also reference other roles.

![Illustration showing the Core database's place in the Sitecore reference structure.](https://doc.sitecore.com/api/markdown-image/xp/en/developers/102/platform-administration-and-architecture/images/CoreDBReferenceStructure.png)

### Referenced by

The Core database is referenced by the following roles:

- [Content Management](https://doc.sitecore.com/xp/en/developers/102/platform-administration-and-architecture/content-management--cm-.html "Content Management (CM)")
- [Content Publishing](https://doc.sitecore.com/xp/en/developers/102/platform-administration-and-architecture/content-publishing--publishing-.html "Content Publishing (Publishing)")
- [EXM Dispatch](https://doc.sitecore.com/xp/en/developers/102/platform-administration-and-architecture/exm-dispatch.html "EXM Dispatch")
- [xDB Processing](https://doc.sitecore.com/xp/en/developers/102/platform-administration-and-architecture/xdb-processing.html "xDB Processing")
- [Identity Server](https://doc.sitecore.com/xp/en/developers/102/platform-administration-and-architecture/sitecore-identity-server.html "Sitecore Identity Server")

> [!note]
> As of Sitecore 9.1, the Core database is no longer referenced by the Content Delivery role.

For more information on scaling the Core database, see [Scaling and configuring the Core database](https://doc.sitecore.com/xp/en/developers/102/platform-administration-and-architecture/scaling-and-configuring-the-core-database.html "Scaling and configuring the Core database").

### References

The Core database does not reference other roles.

</details>

## Privacy and security

Assuming default behavior, the Core database does not store personal data.

> [!note]
> As of Sitecore 9.1, [Sitecore supplies a script](https://dev.sitecore.net/Downloads/Sitecore_Experience_Platform/91/Sitecore_Experience_Platform_91_Update1.aspx) for separating ASP.NET Membership security data into a separate Security database.