Introduction
As part
of a learning and testing initiative, I explored deploying Microsoft SQL
Server 2022 on Ubuntu Linux in AWS EC2. The goal was to understand the
installation process, validate SQL Server functionality on Linux, and evaluate
the potential cost benefits compared to traditional Windows-based deployments.
The setup
was completed successfully, and SQL Server 2022 was up and running on Ubuntu
22.04 with remote connectivity enabled.
Why SQL Server on Linux?
Microsoft
introduced SQL Server on Linux to provide customers with more deployment
flexibility while maintaining the same core database engine capabilities.
Key
advantages include:
- Lower infrastructure costs
- No Windows Server licensing
requirement
- Better resource utilization
- Cloud-friendly deployment
model
- Suitable for development,
testing, and production workloads
Environment Details
|
Component |
Value |
|
Cloud
Platform |
AWS EC2 |
|
Operating
System |
Ubuntu
22.04 LTS |
|
Database
Version |
SQL
Server 2022 CU18 |
|
Edition |
Web
Edition |
|
Connectivity |
TCP
Port 1433 |
Step 1 – Launch AWS EC2 Instance
Provision
an Ubuntu 22.04 EC2 instance with:
- 2 vCPU or higher
- 8 GB RAM or higher
- Sufficient EBS Storage
- SSH Access Enabled
After
instance creation, connect using SSH.
Step 2 – Install SQL Server 2022
Update
the operating system:
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y
Add
Microsoft package repository:
curl https://packages.microsoft.com/keys/microsoft.asc | sudo apt-key add -
sudo add-apt-repository "$(curl
https://packages.microsoft.com/config/ubuntu/22.04/mssql-server-2022.list)"
Install
SQL Server:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y mssql-server
Configure
SQL Server:
sudo /opt/mssql/bin/mssql-conf setup
During
setup:
- Accept License Agreement
- Select SQL Server Edition
- Configure SA Password
Step 3 – Start and Verify SQL Server Service
Enable
and start the SQL Server service:
sudo systemctl enable mssql-server
sudo systemctl start mssql-server
Check
service status:
sudo systemctl status mssql-server
Validation
The
service should display:
Active: active (running)
Step 4 – Install SQL Server Command Line Tools
Install
SQLCMD utilities:
sudo apt-get install mssql-tools unixodbc-dev -y
Update
the PATH:
echo 'export
PATH="$PATH:/opt/mssql-tools/bin"' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc
Verify
installation:
sqlcmd -?
Step 5 – Validate SQL Server Installation
Connect
to SQL Server:
sqlcmd -S localhost -U SA -P 'YourPassword'
Check
version:
SELECT @@VERSION;
GO
Expected
output:
Microsoft SQL Server 2022 (RTM-CU18)
Web Edition
Linux (Ubuntu 22.04)
Step 6 – Reset SA Password
If the SA
password is forgotten or needs to be changed, SQL Server on Linux provides a
simple method to reset it.
Stop SQL
Server:
sudo systemctl stop mssql-server
Reset the
SA password:
sudo /opt/mssql/bin/mssql-conf set-sa-password
Provide a
password that meets complexity requirements:
- Minimum 8 characters
- Uppercase letter
- Lowercase letter
- Number
- Special character
Start SQL
Server again:
sudo systemctl start mssql-server
Verify
connectivity:
sqlcmd -S localhost -U SA -P 'NewPassword'
Step 7 – Enable Remote Connectivity
Allow SQL
Server port:
sudo ufw allow 1433/tcp
Verify
listener:
sudo ss -tlnp | grep 1433
Expected
output:
0.0.0.0:1433
In AWS,
also update the Security Group to allow inbound access on TCP port 1433 from
trusted networks.
Cost Benefits
One of
the primary reasons organizations consider SQL Server on Linux is cost
optimization.
Cost Comparison
|
Environment |
Monthly Cost |
|
SQL
Server on Windows |
$910 |
|
SQL
Server on Linux |
$455 |
Savings Achieved
|
Metric |
Value |
|
Monthly
Savings |
$455 |
|
Annual
Savings |
$5,460 |
Benefits
- Reduced infrastructure costs
- Elimination of Windows
Server licensing
- Lower operating system
overhead
- Better resource efficiency
- Improved cloud cost
optimization
For
organizations running multiple SQL Server environments (Development, Testing,
UAT, Production), the savings can be substantial.
Limitations and Considerations
While SQL
Server on Linux is mature and production-ready, there are a few considerations:
Learning Curve
Administrators
familiar only with Windows may need to become comfortable with Linux administration
and command-line operations.
Windows-Specific Features
Some
Windows-integrated features and tools may not be available or may require
alternative approaches.
Third-Party Tool Compatibility
Certain
third-party monitoring and administration tools may have limited support for
Linux deployments.
Active Directory Integration
Additional
configuration may be required when integrating with enterprise authentication
services.
Operational Skills
Basic
Linux administration knowledge is recommended for troubleshooting and
maintenance activities.
Conclusion
Deploying
SQL Server 2022 on Ubuntu Linux in AWS proved to be a straightforward and
effective exercise. The installation process was simple, password management
was easy to configure, and the database engine performed exactly as expected.
Most
importantly, the deployment demonstrated a potential cost saving of
approximately $455 per month ($5,460 annually) compared to a similar
Windows-based setup.
For development, testing, learning environments, and even many production workloads, SQL Server on Linux offers a compelling combination of performance, flexibility, and cost efficiency.
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