---
title: Configure the SQL Server Agent on Linux
description: Learn how to enable or install the SQL Server Agent on Linux. Starting with SQL Server 2017 CU4, SQL Server Agent is included with the mssql-server package.
author: rwestMSFT
ms.author: randolphwest
ms.date: 11/16/2023
ms.service: sql
ms.subservice: linux
ms.topic: conceptual
ms.custom:
- intro-installation
- linux-related-content
---
# Install SQL Server Agent on Linux
[!INCLUDE [SQL Server - Linux](../includes/applies-to-version/sql-linux.md)]
This article describes how to enable or install the SQL Server Agent on Linux.
The [SQL Server Agent](../ssms/agent/sql-server-agent.md) runs scheduled SQL Server jobs. Starting with SQL Server 2017 CU4, SQL Server Agent is included with the **mssql-server** package and is disabled by default. For information on the features supported for this release of the SQL Server Agent along with version information, see the [Release notes for SQL Server 2017 on Linux](sql-server-linux-release-notes-2017.md).
## Instructions
Before using the SQL Server Agent on Linux, use the following steps to enable or install it.
1. Add your hostname (with and without domain) in the `/etc/hosts` files. The following lines show an example of the format for these entries:
```bash
"IP Address" "hostname"
"IP Address" "hostname.domain.com"
```
1. Follow the instructions in one of the following sections based on your version of SQL Server:
| Versions | Instructions |
| --- | --- |
| SQL Server 2017 CU4 and higher
SQL Server 2019 | [Enable the SQL Server Agent](#EnableAgentAfterCU4) |
| SQL Server 2017 CU3 and lower | [Install the SQL Server Agent](#InstallAgentBelowCU4) |
## Enable the SQL Server Agent
For SQL Server 2019 and SQL Server 2017 CU4 and higher, you only need to enable the SQL Server Agent. You don't need to install a separate package.
To enable SQL Server Agent, follow the steps below.
```bash
sudo /opt/mssql/bin/mssql-conf set sqlagent.enabled true
sudo systemctl restart mssql-server
```
> [!NOTE]
> If you're upgrading from 2017 CU3 or below with Agent installed, SQL Server Agent will be enabled automatically and previous Agent packages will be uninstalled.
> [!NOTE]
> SQL Server Management Studio Object Explorer doesn't display the contents of the SQL Server Agent node unless *Agent XPs* extended stored procedures are enabled, regardless of the SQL Server Agent service state. For more information, see [Agent XPs (server configuration option)](../database-engine/configure-windows/agent-xps-server-configuration-option.md)
## Install the SQL Server Agent
For SQL Server 2017 CU3 and earlier, you must install the SQL Server Agent package.
> [!NOTE]
> The install instructions below apply to SQL Server Versions 2017 CU3 and below. Before installing SQL Server Agent, first [install SQL Server](sql-server-linux-setup.md#platforms). This configures the keys and repositories that you use when you install the **mssql-server-agent** package.
Install the SQL Server Agent for your platform:
- [Red Hat Enterprise Linux](#RHEL)
- [Ubuntu](#ubuntu)
- [SUSE Linux Enterprise Server](#SLES)
### Install on RHEL
Use the following steps to install the **mssql-server-agent** on Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
```bash
sudo yum install mssql-server-agent
sudo systemctl restart mssql-server
```
If you already have **mssql-server-agent** installed, you can update to the latest version with the following commands:
```bash
sudo yum check-update
sudo yum update mssql-server-agent
sudo systemctl restart mssql-server
```
If you need an offline installation, locate the SQL Server Agent package download in the [Release notes for SQL Server 2017 on Linux](sql-server-linux-release-notes-2017.md). Then use the same offline installation steps described in the article [Install SQL Server](sql-server-linux-setup.md#offline).
### Install on Ubuntu
Use the following steps to install the **mssql-server-agent** on Ubuntu.
```bash
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install mssql-server-agent
sudo systemctl restart mssql-server
```
If you already have **mssql-server-agent** installed, you can update to the latest version with the following commands:
```bash
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install mssql-server-agent
sudo systemctl restart mssql-server
```
If you need an offline installation, locate the SQL Server Agent package download in the [Release notes for SQL Server 2017 on Linux](sql-server-linux-release-notes-2017.md). Then use the same offline installation steps described in the article [Install SQL Server](sql-server-linux-setup.md#offline).
### Install on SLES
Use the following steps to install the **mssql-server-agent** on SUSE Linux Enterprise Server.
Install **mssql-server-agent**
```bash
sudo zypper install mssql-server-agent
sudo systemctl restart mssql-server
```
If you already have **mssql-server-agent** installed, you can update to the latest version with the following commands:
```bash
sudo zypper refresh
sudo zypper update mssql-server-agent
sudo systemctl restart mssql-server
```
If you need an offline installation, locate the SQL Server Agent package download in the [Release notes for SQL Server 2017 on Linux](sql-server-linux-release-notes-2017.md). Then use the same offline installation steps described in the article [Install SQL Server](sql-server-linux-setup.md#offline).
## Related content
- [Create and run SQL Server Agent jobs on Linux](sql-server-linux-run-sql-server-agent-job.md)