How to Get Started with SQL Server on LinuxHow to Get Started with SQL Server on Linux
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on getting started with SQL Server on Linux. SQL Server is a robust and versatile database management system known for its ease of use, advanced features, and support provided by Microsoft. Despite its traditional association with the Windows operating system, SQL Server now also runs natively on Linux, offering more flexibility and choice for database administrators and developers. This article aims to navigate beginners through the installation, configuration, and basic usage of SQL Server on a Linux environment.
Understanding SQL Server on Linux
SQL Server was traditionally a Windows-based service, but with the evolving tech landscape and the demand for diverse operating system options, Microsoft expanded its horizons. Linux users can now leverage the power of SQL Server, opening a realm of possibilities for cross-platform consistency, enterprise-grade database management, better integration, and utilization of Linux’s renowned stability and security features.
Why Choose SQL Server on Linux?
- Enhanced performance: SQL Server on Linux provides comparable or even superior performance benchmarks to SQL Server running on Windows.
- Lower total cost of ownership: Leveraging Linux can reduce licensing costs associated with the Windows Server operating system.
- Enterprise-grade features: SQL Server on Linux comes with many of the same features available on Windows, including high availability solutions, advanced security capabilities, and robust data management tools.
- The power of the command line: Linux users can manage their databases using powerful and flexible command-line tools which are native to Linux environments.
Prerequisites for Installing SQL Server on Linux
Before diving into the installation process, ensure your Linux system meets the following prerequisites:
- A supported Linux distribution such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Ubuntu, or SUSE Enterprise Linux
- At least 2 GB of memory
- At least 6 GB of disk space
- Superuser or sudo privileges
- Access to a terminal or command-line interface
It’s also wise to update your system’s packages to the latest version using your distribution’s package manager to minimize potential issues during the SQL Server installation process.
Step-by-Step Guide to Installing SQL Server on Linux
Follow this step-by-step guide to installing SQL Server on your preferred Linux distribution:
Installing SQL Server on Ubuntu
Ubuntu, one of the most popular Linux distributions, is well-suited for SQL Server. Here’s how to get up and running:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install -y wget
wget -qO- https://packages.microsoft.com/keys/microsoft.asc | sudo apt-key add -
sudo add-apt-repository "$(wget -qO- https://packages.microsoft.com/config/ubuntu/$(lsb_release -rs)/mssql-server-2019.list)"
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install -y mssql-server
sudo /opt/mssql/bin/mssql-conf setup
Throughout this process, a prompt will guide you through setting up the administrator user password for SQL Server, and once finished, SQL Server services will start automatically.
Installing SQL Server on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
Built with enterprise in mind, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is another ideal platform for SQL Server. Use the following commands in your terminal:
sudo yum update
sudo yum install -y wget
wget -qO- https://packages.microsoft.com/keys/microsoft.asc | sudo rpm --import -
sudo wget -O /etc/yum.repos.d/mssql-server.repo https://packages.microsoft.com/config/rhel/7/mssql-server-2019.repo
sudo yum install -y mssql-server
sudo /opt/mssql/bin/mssql-conf setup
Similar to Ubuntu, a configuration process will start, allowing you to set the SA (system administrator) password for SQL Server.
Installing SQL Server on SUSE Enterprise Linux
Another strong contender for running SQL Server, SUSE Enterprise Linux, can be set up using the following commands:
sudo zypper refresh
sudo zypper install -y wget
wget -qO- https://packages.microsoft.com/keys/microsoft.asc | sudo rpm --import -
sudo zypper addrepo -fc https://packages.microsoft.com/config/sles/12/mssql-server-2019.repo
sudo zypper refresh
sudo zypper install -y mssql-server
sudo /opt/mssql/bin/mssql-conf setup
Each step requires you to enter the SQL Server system administrator password. Once completed, SQL Server will be up and running on your SUSE system.
For other distributions, please refer to the specific SQL Server installation instructions provided by Microsoft or the distribution’s community resources.
Post-Installation Configuration and Tools
After successfully installing SQL Server on Linux, you need to familiarize yourself with some important configuration tasks and tools:
- SQL Server Configuration Manager: This tool is used to configure network protocols, manage server services, and configure server properties.
- SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS): While SSMS is a Windows-based tool, it can be used to connect to and manage your SQL Server instance on Linux remotely.
- Command-Line Tools: SQLCMD and BCP are command-line tools that can be installed on Linux to enter Transact-SQL statements, manage SQL databases, and perform administrative tasks.
Configuring network protocols is an integral step post-installation. Ensure that TCP/IP is enabled, and consider using a fixed port for a predictable connection experience. Additional steps include setting up automated backups, configuring database mail, and optimizing server settings based on your workload requirements.
Learning about SQL Server Audit, Dynamic Management Views (DMVs), and other utilities can help maintain performance and monitor your SQL Server health. Don’t forget to regularly apply updates to SQL Server to obtain the latest security patches, bug fixes, and enhancements.
Creating and Managing Databases
Once the installation and basic configuration are all set, you’ll likely want to start creating and managing your databases. Here’s a quick overview of how you can create a new database with T-SQL commands:
sqlcmd -S localhost -U SA -Q "CREATE DATABASE SampleDB;"
Your first command connects to your local SQL Server instance. The -U switch specifies the login name, and the -Q switch executes the commands inside the double quotes directly from the command line. To connect and select data from your new database, you can use:
sqlcmd -S localhost -U SA
USE SampleDB
SELECT Name FROM sys.Databases;
GO
Alternatively, databases can also be created and managed through a graphical user interface using tools like SSMS connected remotely or other third-party tools compatible with Linux.
Conclusion
Starting with SQL Server on Linux can seem daunting at first, but with the right instructions and some patience, you can get your database server up and running with minimal fuss. This guide walked you through the rationale for choosing SQL Server on Linux, the prerequisites and installation procedures across different distributions, and post-installation tasks to ensure your SQL Server environment is well-configured, secure, and optimized.
Whichever Linux distribution you use, ensure to stay up-to-date with best practices, maintenance routines, and SQL Server releases. With SQL Server’s robust features now available to Linux users, you’ve got a powerful tool at your disposal for data warehousing, application development, and business intelligence that caters to high availability and performance needs.
By leveraging SQL Server on Linux, you make a strategic move towards enterprise-level database solutions with room for extensive customization and efficient resource management. Happy querying!
