---
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: 01/02/2026
ms.service: sql
ms.subservice: linux
ms.topic: install-set-up-deploy
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) runs scheduled SQL Server jobs. Starting with [!INCLUDE [sssql17-md](../includes/sssql17-md.md)] CU 4, SQL Server Agent is included with the **mssql-server** package and is disabled by default.
[!INCLUDE [editions-supported-features-linux](../includes/editions-supported-features-linux.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 |
| --- | --- |
| [!INCLUDE [sssql17-md](../includes/sssql17-md.md)] CU 4 and later versions | [Enable the SQL Server Agent](#EnableAgentAfterCU4) |
| [!INCLUDE [sssql17-md](../includes/sssql17-md.md)] CU 3 and earlier versions | [Install the SQL Server Agent](#InstallAgentBelowCU4) |
## Enable the SQL Server Agent
For [!INCLUDE [sssql17-md](../includes/sssql17-md.md)] CU 4 and later versions, you only need to enable the SQL Server Agent. You don't need to install a separate package.
To enable SQL Server Agent, follow these steps.
```bash
sudo /opt/mssql/bin/mssql-conf set sqlagent.enabled true
sudo systemctl restart mssql-server
```
If you upgrade from [!INCLUDE [sssql17-md](../includes/sssql17-md.md)] CU 3 or an earlier version with Agent installed, SQL Server Agent is enabled automatically, and previous Agent packages are uninstalled.
> [!NOTE]
> SQL Server Management Studio Object Explorer doesn't display the contents of the SQL Server Agent node unless the [Agent XPs](../database-engine/configure-windows/agent-xps-server-configuration-option.md) server configuration option is enabled, regardless of the SQL Server Agent service state.
## Install the SQL Server Agent
For [!INCLUDE [sssql17-md](../includes/sssql17-md.md)] CU 3 and earlier versions, you must install the SQL Server Agent package.
The following installation instructions apply to [!INCLUDE [sssql17-md](../includes/sssql17-md.md)] CU 3 and earlier versions only. Before you install SQL Server Agent, first [install SQL Server](sql-server-linux-setup.md#platforms), which configures the keys and repositories you need when you install the **mssql-server-agent** package.
Install the SQL Server Agent for your platform.
### [Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)](#tab/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 **mssql-server-agent** is 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).
### [Ubuntu](#tab/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 **mssql-server-agent** is 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).
### [SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES)](#tab/sles)
Use the following steps to install the **mssql-server-agent** on SUSE Linux Enterprise Server.
> [!NOTE]
> Starting in [!INCLUDE [sssql25-md](../includes/sssql25-md.md)], SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) isn't supported.
Install **mssql-server-agent**
```bash
sudo zypper install mssql-server-agent
sudo systemctl restart mssql-server
```
If **mssql-server-agent** is 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)