---
title: Deploy and connect to SQL Server Docker containers
description: Explore how SQL Server can be deployed on Docker containers and learn about various tools to connect to SQL Server from inside and outside the container
author: amvin87
ms.author: amitkh
ms.reviewer: vanto, randolphwest
ms.custom:
  - contperf-fy21q1
  - intro-deployment
ms.date: 02/22/2022
ms.topic: conceptual
ms.prod: sql
ms.technology: linux
moniker: ">= sql-server-linux-2017 || >= sql-server-2017 "
zone_pivot_groups: cs1-command-shell
# As a DBA, I want to deploy SQL Server in a Docker container so that I can connect to it.
---
# Deploy and connect to SQL Server Docker containers

[!INCLUDE [SQL Server - Linux](../includes/applies-to-version/sql-linux.md)]

This article explains how to deploy and connect to SQL Server Docker containers.

For other deployment scenarios, see:

- [Windows](../database-engine/install-windows/install-sql-server.md)
- [Linux](../linux/sql-server-linux-setup.md)
- [Kubernetes - Big Data Clusters](../big-data-cluster/deploy-get-started.md)

> [!NOTE]
> This article specifically focuses on using the **mssql-server-linux** image. SQL Server deployments in Windows containers are not covered by support. For development and testing, you can create your own custom container images to work with SQL Server in Windows containers. Sample files are available on [GitHub](https://github.com/microsoft/mssql-docker/blob/master/windows/mssql-server-windows-developer/dockerfile_1). Sample files are for reference only.

> [!IMPORTANT]
> Before choosing to run a SQL Server container for production use cases, please review our [support policy for SQL Server Containers](https://support.microsoft.com/help/4047326/support-policy-for-microsoft-sql-server) to ensure that you are running on a supported configuration.

This 6-minute video provides an introduction into running SQL Server on containers:

> [!VIDEO https://channel9.msdn.com/Shows/Data-Exposed/SQL-Server-2019-in-Containers/player?WT.mc_id=dataexposed-c9-niner]

## Pull and run the container image

To pull and run the Docker container images for [!INCLUDE[sssql17-md](../includes/sssql17-md.md)] and [!INCLUDE[sssql19-md](../includes/sssql19-md.md)], follow the prerequisites and steps in the following quickstart:

- [Run the SQL Server 2017 container image with Docker](quickstart-install-connect-docker.md?view=sql-server-2017&preserve-view=true)
- [Run the SQL Server 2019 container image with Docker](quickstart-install-connect-docker.md?view=sql-server-ver15&preserve-view=true)

This configuration article provides additional usage scenarios in the following sections.

## Connect and query

You can connect and query SQL Server in a container from either outside the container or from within the container. The following sections explain both scenarios.

### Tools outside the container

You can connect to the SQL Server instance on your Docker machine from any external Linux, Windows, or macOS tool that supports SQL connections. Some common tools include:

- [sqlcmd](sql-server-linux-setup-tools.md)
- [Azure Data Studio](../azure-data-studio/quickstart-sql-server.md)
- [Visual Studio Code](../tools/visual-studio-code/sql-server-develop-use-vscode.md)
- [SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) on Windows](sql-server-linux-manage-ssms.md)

The following example uses **sqlcmd** to connect to SQL Server running in a Docker container. The IP address in the connection string is the IP address of the host machine that is running the container.

::: zone pivot="cs1-bash"
```bash
sqlcmd -S 10.3.2.4 -U SA -P '<YourPassword>'
```
::: zone-end

::: zone pivot="cs1-powershell"
```PowerShell
sqlcmd -S 10.3.2.4 -U SA -P "<YourPassword>"
```
::: zone-end

::: zone pivot="cs1-cmd"
```cmd
sqlcmd -S 10.3.2.4 -U SA -P "<YourPassword>"
```
::: zone-end

If you mapped a host port that wasn't the default **1433**, add that port to the connection string. For example, if you specified `-p 1400:1433` in your `docker run` command, then connect by explicitly specifying port 1400.

::: zone pivot="cs1-bash"
```bash
sqlcmd -S 10.3.2.4,1400 -U SA -P '<YourPassword>'
```
::: zone-end

::: zone pivot="cs1-powershell"
```PowerShell
sqlcmd -S 10.3.2.4,1400 -U SA -P "<YourPassword>"
```
::: zone-end

::: zone pivot="cs1-cmd"
```cmd
sqlcmd -S 10.3.2.4,1400 -U SA -P "<YourPassword>"
```
::: zone-end

### Tools inside the container

Starting with [!INCLUDE[sssql17-md](../includes/sssql17-md.md)], the [SQL Server command-line tools](sql-server-linux-setup-tools.md) are included in the container image. If you attach to the image with an interactive command-prompt, you can run the tools locally.

1. Use the `docker exec -it` command to start an interactive bash shell inside your running container. In the following example `e69e056c702d` is the container ID.

    ```bash
    docker exec -it e69e056c702d "bash"
    ```

    > [!TIP]
    > You don't always have to specify the entire container ID. You only have to specify enough characters to uniquely identify it. So in this example, it might be enough to use `e6` or `e69` rather than the full ID. To find out the container ID, run the command `docker ps -a`.

2. Once inside the container, connect locally with **sqlcmd** by using its full path.

    ```bash
    /opt/mssql-tools/bin/sqlcmd -S localhost -U SA -P '<YourPassword>'
    ```

3. When finished with sqlcmd, type `exit`.

4. When finished with the interactive command-prompt, type `exit`. Your container continues to run after you exit the interactive bash shell.

## <a id="version"></a> Check the container version

If you want to know the version of SQL Server in a running Docker container, run the following command to display it. Replace `<Container ID or name>` with the target container ID or name. Replace `<YourStrong!Passw0rd>` with the SQL Server password for the system administrator (SA) account.

::: zone pivot="cs1-bash"
```bash
sudo docker exec -it <Container ID or name> /opt/mssql-tools/bin/sqlcmd \
-S localhost -U SA -P '<YourStrong!Passw0rd>' \
-Q 'SELECT @@VERSION'
```
::: zone-end

::: zone pivot="cs1-powershell"
```PowerShell
docker exec -it <Container ID or name> /opt/mssql-tools/bin/sqlcmd `
-S localhost -U SA -P "<YourStrong!Passw0rd>" `
-Q "SELECT @@VERSION"
```
::: zone-end

::: zone pivot="cs1-cmd"
```cmd
docker exec -it <Container ID or name> /opt/mssql-tools/bin/sqlcmd ^
-S localhost -U SA -P "<YourStrong!Passw0rd>" ^
-Q "SELECT @@VERSION"
```
::: zone-end

You can also identify the SQL Server version and build number for a target Docker container image. The following command displays the SQL Server version and build information for the `mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2019-latest` image. It does this by running a new container with an environment variable **PAL_PROGRAM_INFO=1**. The resulting container instantly exits, and the `docker rm` command removes it.

::: zone pivot="cs1-bash"
```bash
sudo docker run -e PAL_PROGRAM_INFO=1 --name sqlver \
-ti mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2019-latest && \
sudo docker rm sqlver
```
::: zone-end

::: zone pivot="cs1-powershell"
```PowerShell
docker run -e PAL_PROGRAM_INFO=1 --name sqlver `
-ti mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2019-latest; `
docker rm sqlver
```
::: zone-end

::: zone pivot="cs1-cmd"
```cmd
docker run -e PAL_PROGRAM_INFO=1 --name sqlver ^
-ti mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2019-latest && ^
docker rm sqlver
```
::: zone-end

The previous commands display version information similar to the following output:

```output
sqlservr
  Version 15.0.4198.2
  Build ID 52e9e8d493d41fd93627371c4c7d3e2a6b52a65f47f07c8c737931a208c45824
  Build Type release
  Git Version d6f11919
  Built at Sat Jan 22 05:09:51 GMT 2022

PAL
  Build ID 2d0b057b139c49b6933e896f56af464a2893fd9aa3da2e2a709d5fc220cb0225
  Build Type release
  Git Version 52a534725
  Built at Sat Jan 22 05:07:25 GMT 2022

Packages
  system.security                         6.2.9200.11,52a534725+hls-win4-20220122044858,
  system.certificates                     6.2.9200.11,52a534725+hls-win4-20220122044858,
  secforwarderxplat                       15.0.4198.2
  sqlservr                                15.0.4198.2
  system.common                           10.0.17134.2145.202104262
  system.netfx                            4.7.0.0.202104262
  system                                  6.2.9200.11,52a534725+hls-win4-20220122044858,
  sqlagent                                15.0.4198.2
```

## <a id="tags"></a> Run a specific SQL Server container image

> [!NOTE]
>
> - Starting with [!INCLUDE[sssql19-md](../includes/sssql19-md.md)] CU3, Ubuntu 18.04 is supported.
> - Starting with [!INCLUDE[sssql19-md](../includes/sssql19-md.md)] CU10, Ubuntu 20.04 is supported.
> - You can retrieve a list of all available tags for mssql/server at <https://mcr.microsoft.com/v2/mssql/server/tags/list>.

There are scenarios where you might not want to use the latest SQL Server container image. To run a specific SQL Server container image, use the following steps:

1. Identify the Docker **tag** for the release you want to use. To view the available tags, see [the mssql-server-linux Docker hub page](https://hub.docker.com/_/microsoft-mssql-server).

2. Pull the SQL Server container image with the tag. For example, to pull the **2019-CU15-ubuntu-20.04** image, replace `<image_tag>` in the following command with `2019-CU15-ubuntu-20.04`.

   ```bash
   docker pull mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:<image_tag>
   ```

3. To run a new container with that image, specify the tag name in the `docker run` command. In the following command, replace `<image_tag>` with the version you want to run.

   ::: zone pivot="cs1-bash"
   ```bash
   docker run -e 'ACCEPT_EULA=Y' -e 'MSSQL_SA_PASSWORD=<YourStrong!Passw0rd>' -p 1401:1433 -d mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:<image_tag>
   ```
   ::: zone-end

   ::: zone pivot="cs1-powershell"
   ```PowerShell
   docker run -e "ACCEPT_EULA=Y" -e "MSSQL_SA_PASSWORD=<YourStrong!Passw0rd>" -p 1401:1433 -d mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:<image_tag>
   ```
   ::: zone-end

   ::: zone pivot="cs1-cmd"
   ```cmd
   docker run -e "ACCEPT_EULA=Y" -e "MSSQL_SA_PASSWORD=<YourStrong!Passw0rd>" -p 1401:1433 -d mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:<image_tag>
   ```
   ::: zone-end

These steps can also be used to downgrade an existing container. For example, you might want to roll back or downgrade a running container for troubleshooting or testing. To downgrade a running container, you must be using a persistence technique for the data folder. Follow the same steps outlined in the [upgrade section](#upgrade), but specify the tag name of the older version when you run the new container.

<!--SQL Server 2019 on Linux-->
::: moniker range=">= sql-server-linux-ver15 || >= sql-server-ver15 "

## <a id="rhel"></a> Run RHEL-based container images

The documentation for SQL Server Linux container images points to Ubuntu-based containers. Beginning with [!INCLUDE[sssql19-md](../includes/sssql19-md.md)], you can use containers based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). An example of the image for RHEL will look like **mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/rhel/server:2019-CU15-rhel-8**.

For example, the following command pulls the Cumulative Update 15 for [!INCLUDE[sssql19-md](../includes/sssql19-md.md)] container that uses RHEL 8:

::: zone pivot="cs1-bash"
```bash
sudo docker pull mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/rhel/server:2019-CU15-rhel-8.4
```
::: zone-end

::: zone pivot="cs1-powershell"
```PowerShell
docker pull mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/rhel/server:2019-CU15-rhel-8.4
```
::: zone-end

::: zone pivot="cs1-cmd"
```cmd
docker pull mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/rhel/server:2019-CU15-rhel-8.4
```
::: zone-end

::: moniker-end

## <a id="production"></a> Run production container images

The [quickstart](quickstart-install-connect-docker.md) in the previous section runs the free Developer edition of SQL Server from Docker Hub. Most of the information still applies if you want to run production container images, such as Enterprise, Standard, or Web editions. However, there are a few differences that are outlined here.

- You can only use SQL Server in a production environment if you have a valid license. You can obtain a free SQL Server Express production license [here](https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=857693). SQL Server Standard and Enterprise Edition licenses are available through [Microsoft Volume Licensing](https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/default.aspx).

- The Developer container image can be configured to run the production editions as well. Use the following steps to run production editions:

Review the requirements and run procedures in the [quickstart](quickstart-install-connect-docker.md). You must specify your production edition with the **MSSQL_PID** environment variable. The following example shows how to run the latest [!INCLUDE[sssql19-md](../includes/sssql19-md.md)] container image for the Enterprise Edition:

::: zone pivot="cs1-bash"
```bash
docker run --name sqlenterprise \
-e 'ACCEPT_EULA=Y' -e 'SA_PASSWORD=<YourStrong!Passw0rd>' \
-e 'MSSQL_PID=Enterprise' -p 1433:1433 \
-d mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2019-latest
```
::: zone-end

::: zone pivot="cs1-powershell"
```PowerShell
docker run --name sqlenterprise `
-e "ACCEPT_EULA=Y" -e "SA_PASSWORD=<YourStrong!Passw0rd>" `
-e "MSSQL_PID=Enterprise" -p 1433:1433 `
-d "mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2019-latest"
```
::: zone-end

::: zone pivot="cs1-cmd"
```cmd
docker run --name sqlenterprise `
-e "ACCEPT_EULA=Y" -e "SA_PASSWORD=<YourStrong!Passw0rd>" ^
-e "MSSQL_PID=Enterprise" -p 1433:1433 ^
-d "mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2019-latest"
```
::: zone-end

> [!IMPORTANT]
> By passing the value **Y** to the environment variable **ACCEPT_EULA** and an edition value to **MSSQL_PID**, you are expressing that you have a valid and existing license for the edition and version of SQL Server that you intend to use. You also agree that your use of SQL Server software running in a Docker container image will be governed by the terms of your SQL Server license.

> [!NOTE]
> For a full list of possible values for **MSSQL_PID**, see [Configure SQL Server settings with environment variables on Linux](sql-server-linux-configure-environment-variables.md).

## <a id="multiple"></a>Run multiple SQL Server containers

Docker provides a way to run multiple SQL Server containers on the same host machine. Use this approach for scenarios that require multiple instances of SQL Server on the same host. Each container must expose itself on a different port.

<!--SQL Server 2017 on Linux -->
::: moniker range="= sql-server-linux-2017 || = sql-server-2017"

The following example creates two [!INCLUDE[sssql17-md](../includes/sssql17-md.md)] containers and maps them to ports **1401** and **1402** on the host machine.

::: zone pivot="cs1-bash"
```bash
docker run -e 'ACCEPT_EULA=Y' -e 'MSSQL_SA_PASSWORD=<YourStrong!Passw0rd>' -p 1401:1433 -d mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2017-latest
docker run -e 'ACCEPT_EULA=Y' -e 'MSSQL_SA_PASSWORD=<YourStrong!Passw0rd>' -p 1402:1433 -d mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2017-latest
```
::: zone-end

::: zone pivot="cs1-powershell"
```PowerShell
docker run -e "ACCEPT_EULA=Y" -e "MSSQL_SA_PASSWORD=<YourStrong!Passw0rd>" -p 1401:1433 -d mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2017-latest
docker run -e "ACCEPT_EULA=Y" -e "MSSQL_SA_PASSWORD=<YourStrong!Passw0rd>" -p 1402:1433 -d mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2017-latest
```
::: zone-end

::: zone pivot="cs1-cmd"
```cmd
docker run -e "ACCEPT_EULA=Y" -e "MSSQL_SA_PASSWORD=<YourStrong!Passw0rd>" -p 1401:1433 -d mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2017-latest
docker run -e "ACCEPT_EULA=Y" -e "MSSQL_SA_PASSWORD=<YourStrong!Passw0rd>" -p 1402:1433 -d mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2017-latest
```
::: zone-end

::: moniker-end
<!--SQL Server 2019 on Linux-->
::: moniker range=">= sql-server-linux-ver15 || >= sql-server-ver15 "

The following example creates two [!INCLUDE[sssql19-md](../includes/sssql19-md.md)] containers and maps them to ports **1401** and **1402** on the host machine.

::: zone pivot="cs1-bash"
```bash
docker run -e 'ACCEPT_EULA=Y' -e 'MSSQL_SA_PASSWORD=<YourStrong!Passw0rd>' -p 1401:1433 -d mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2019-latest
docker run -e 'ACCEPT_EULA=Y' -e 'MSSQL_SA_PASSWORD=<YourStrong!Passw0rd>' -p 1402:1433 -d mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2019-latest
```
::: zone-end

::: zone pivot="cs1-powershell"
```PowerShell
docker run -e "ACCEPT_EULA=Y" -e "MSSQL_SA_PASSWORD=<YourStrong!Passw0rd>" -p 1401:1433 -d mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2019-latest
docker run -e "ACCEPT_EULA=Y" -e "MSSQL_SA_PASSWORD=<YourStrong!Passw0rd>" -p 1402:1433 -d mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2019-latest
```
::: zone-end

::: zone pivot="cs1-cmd"
```cmd
docker run -e "ACCEPT_EULA=Y" -e "MSSQL_SA_PASSWORD=<YourStrong!Passw0rd>" -p 1401:1433 -d mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2019-latest
docker run -e "ACCEPT_EULA=Y" -e "MSSQL_SA_PASSWORD=<YourStrong!Passw0rd>" -p 1402:1433 -d mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2019-latest
```
::: zone-end

::: moniker-end

Now there are two instances of SQL Server running in separate containers. Clients can connect to each SQL Server instance by using the IP address of the Docker host and the port number for the container.

::: zone pivot="cs1-bash"
```bash
sqlcmd -S 10.3.2.4,1401 -U SA -P '<YourPassword>'
sqlcmd -S 10.3.2.4,1402 -U SA -P '<YourPassword>'
```
::: zone-end

::: zone pivot="cs1-powershell"
```PowerShell
sqlcmd -S 10.3.2.4,1401 -U SA -P "<YourPassword>"
sqlcmd -S 10.3.2.4,1402 -U SA -P "<YourPassword>"
```
::: zone-end

::: zone pivot="cs1-cmd"
```cmd
sqlcmd -S 10.3.2.4,1401 -U SA -P "<YourPassword>"
sqlcmd -S 10.3.2.4,1402 -U SA -P "<YourPassword>"
```
::: zone-end

## <a id="upgrade"></a> Upgrade SQL Server in containers

To upgrade the container image with Docker, first identify the tag for the release for your upgrade. Pull this version from the registry with the `docker pull` command:

```command
docker pull mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:<image_tag>
```

This updates the SQL Server image for any new containers you create, but it doesn't update SQL Server in any running containers. To do this, you must create a new container with the latest SQL Server container image and migrate your data to that new container.

1. Make sure you are using one of the [data persistence techniques](sql-server-linux-docker-container-configure.md#persist) for your existing SQL Server container. This enables you to start a new container with the same data.

1. Stop the SQL Server container with the `docker stop` command.

1. Create a new SQL Server container with `docker run` and specify either a mapped host directory or a data volume container. Make sure to use the specific tag for your SQL Server upgrade. The new container now uses a new version of SQL Server with your existing SQL Server data.

   > [!IMPORTANT]
   > Upgrade is only supported between RC1, RC2, and GA at this time.

1. Verify your databases and data in the new container.

1. Optionally, remove the old container with `docker rm`.

## Next steps

<!--SQL Server 2017 on Linux -->
::: moniker range="= sql-server-linux-2017 || = sql-server-2017"

- Get started with [!INCLUDE[sssql17-md](../includes/sssql17-md.md)] container images on Docker by going through the [quickstart](quickstart-install-connect-docker.md?view=sql-server-2017&preserve-view=true)

::: moniker-end

<!--SQL Server 2019 on Linux-->
::: moniker range=">= sql-server-linux-ver15 || >= sql-server-ver15 "

- Get started with [!INCLUDE[sssql19-md](../includes/sssql19-md.md)] container images on Docker by going through the [quickstart](quickstart-install-connect-docker.md)

::: moniker-end

- [Reference additional configuration and customization to Docker containers](sql-server-linux-docker-container-configure.md)

- See the [mssql-docker GitHub repository](https://github.com/Microsoft/mssql-docker) for resources, feedback, and known issues

- [Troubleshooting SQL Server Docker containers](sql-server-linux-docker-container-troubleshooting.md)

- [Explore high availability for SQL Server containers](sql-server-linux-container-ha-overview.md)

- [Secure SQL Server Docker containers](sql-server-linux-docker-container-security.md)