Installing and Using Microsoft SQL Server on Linux (Docker)

Starting with SQL Server 2017, MSSQL professionals can take advantage of the benefits of containerization. Whether we’re looking to consolidate several workloads onto a single server or just want a means of delivering consistent environments to our developers, deploying SQL Server via containers may be the solution we’re looking for.

In this hands-on lab we utilize Docker to work with the latest SQL Server 2017 image. Basic knowledge of Docker and Microsoft SQL Server are recommended.

Learning Objectives

Successfully complete this lab by achieving the following learning objectives:

Pull the SQL Server 2017 Linux Container Image

Pull the latest SQL Server 2017 image from Microsoft Container Registry:
```
sudo docker pull mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2017-latest
```

Run the SQL Server 2017 Image

Run the container using the following command. Set the SA password to anything, being careful to follow the SQL Server default password policy. By default, this creates a container running Developer edition.
```
sudo docker run -e 'ACCEPT_EULA=Y' -e 'SA_PASSWORD=AwesomePassword!' 
-p 1433:1433 --name sql1 
-d mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2017-latest
```

Verify the container is running.
```
sudo docker ps -a
```

Connect To and Administer the Container

Start an interactive bash shell inside the SQL Server container, using the name specified at creation.
```
sudo docker exec -it sql1 "bash"
```

Once inside, connect locally using SQLCMD. We must use the full path as SQLCMD is not in the path by default.
```
/opt/mssql-tools/bin/sqlcmd -S localhost -U SA -P 'AwesomePassword!'
```
Create a new database for our flagship application.
```
CREATE DATABASE AwesomeCompany;
go
```
Verify this database now exists.
```
SELECT Name from sys.Databases;
go
```

Create a login the application can use to connect.

CREATE LOGIN AwesomeLogin WITH PASSWORD = 'AwesomePassword!';
go

Create a user for the new database and associate it with the login.

USE AwesomeCompany;
go
CREATE USER AwesomeUser FOR LOGIN AwesomeLogin;
go

Give the new user permission to manage the database.
```
exec sp_addrolemember 'db_owner', 'AwesomeUser';
go
```

Verify Your Application Can Connect and Manage the Image

Exit out of SQLCMD.
quit

Connect using the new login.

/opt/mssql-tools/bin/sqlcmd -S localhost -U AwesomeLogin -P 'AwesomePassword!'

Create a table and insert values into the new database.
USE AwesomeCompany;
go
CREATE TABLE Inventory (id INT, name NVARCHAR(50), quantity INT)
INSERT INTO Inventory VALUES (1, ‘widget’, 100);
go
Select data from the new table.
```
SELECT * FROM Inventory;
go
```

What are Hands-on Labs

Hands-on Labs are real environments created by industry experts to help you learn. These environments help you gain knowledge and experience, practice without compromising your system, test without risk, destroy without fear, and let you learn from your mistakes. Hands-on Labs: practice your skills before delivering in the real world.

Installing and Using Microsoft SQL Server on Linux (Docker)

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Learning Objectives

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