How to install microsoft sql server on ubuntu vps
Learn how to install microsoft sql server on ubuntu vps.

This article provides a guide for how to install Microsoft SQL Server on Ubuntu VPS.

What is Microsoft SQL Server?

Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database management system (RDBMS) developed by Microsoft. It is used to store, retrieve, manage, and analyze data in a structured way using SQL (Structured Query Language).

🔑 Key Features:

  • SQL Engine: Handles querying and data manipulation using T-SQL (Transact-SQL).
  • SSMS (SQL Server Management Studio): A GUI tool to manage databases.
  • Security: Supports encryption, role-based access, and auditing.
  • High Availability: Offers features like Always On Availability Groups, failover clustering, and replication.
  • Integration Services: ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) operations via SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS).
  • Reporting Services (SSRS): Tools to create and deliver reports.
  • Machine Learning Services: Allows R and Python integration for advanced analytics.
  • Support for JSON, XML, Spatial Data, and Graph Databases.

🖥️ Common Use Cases:

  • Enterprise Applications (e.g., ERP, CRM)
  • Business Intelligence and Reporting
  • Data Warehousing
  • E-commerce Platforms
  • Web Applications

📦 Editions Available:

Edition Description
Express Free entry-level version for small-scale applications.
Developer Free full-featured version for development and testing.
Standard Core database functionality for mid-tier applications.
Enterprise Full feature set including advanced analytics, scalability, and HA.
Web Affordable version for web hosting providers.

🧩 Platforms Supported:

  • Windows Server (primary OS)
  • Linux (available since SQL Server 2017)
  • Docker containers

Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide on How to Install Microsoft SQL Server on an Ubuntu VPS. This guide is applicable to Ubuntu 20.04, 22.04, and newer LTS versions.

🧰 Prerequisites

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How to Install Microsoft SQL Server on Ubuntu VPS

To install Microsoft SQL Server on Ubuntu VPS, follow the steps below:

  1. 📦 Import Microsoft GPG Key and Add SQL Server Repository

    1. Open an SSH terminal and log in to your Ubuntu VPS.
    2. Import the Microsoft GPG key:
      wget -qO- https://packages.microsoft.com/keys/microsoft.asc | sudo apt-key add -
    3. Add the Microsoft SQL Server repository:
      sudo add-apt-repository "$(wget -qO- https://packages.microsoft.com/config/ubuntu/$(lsb_release -rs)/mssql-server-2022.list)"
    4. Update package lists:
      sudo apt update
  2. 🛠 Install Microsoft SQL Server

    1. Install SQL Server:
      sudo apt install -y mssql-server
    2. Run the configuration script:
      sudo /opt/mssql/bin/mssql-conf setup
    3. During setup, you will:
      • Choose the edition (e.g., Developer, Express)
      • Accept the license terms
      • Set a strong SA (System Administrator) password
    4. Enable and start SQL Server:
      sudo systemctl enable --now mssql-server
  3. ✅ Verify SQL Server Installation

    Check if SQL Server is running:

    systemctl status mssql-server

    You should see active (running) in green.

  4. 🔧 Install Microsoft SQL Server Command-Line Tools (Optional but Recommended)

    1. Import the Microsoft GPG key and repository for tools:
      curl https://packages.microsoft.com/keys/microsoft.asc | sudo apt-key add - sudo add-apt-repository "$(wget -qO- https://packages.microsoft.com/config/ubuntu/$(lsb_release -rs)/prod.list)" sudo apt update
    2. Install SQL tools:
      sudo apt install -y mssql-tools unixodbc-dev
    3. Add tools to your path:
      echo 'export PATH="$PATH:/opt/mssql-tools/bin"' >> ~/.bashrc source ~/.bashrc
  5. 🧪 Connect to SQL Server

    Use sqlcmd to connect:

    sqlcmd -S localhost -U SA -P 'YourPasswordHere'

    If successful, you’ll get a 1> prompt. Try a simple query:

    SELECT @@VERSION; GO
  6. 🔐 Configure Firewall (If UFW is Enabled)

    If your server uses UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall), open port 1433:

    sudo ufw allow 1433/tcp
  7. 📤 Enable Remote Access (Optional)

    To allow external clients to connect:

    1. Edit the Microsoft SQL Server config:
      sudo nano /opt/mssql/mssql.conf
    2. Add (or edit) under [network]:
      [tcp] tcpport=1433
    3. Restart the service:
      sudo systemctl restart mssql-server

      Make sure your VPS provider allows traffic on port 1433.

  8. 🧼 Troubleshooting Tips

    Issue Solution
    Cannot connect with sqlcmd Ensure SQL tools are installed and SQL Server is running
    Login failed for user ‘SA’ Double-check password and ensure SA is enabled
    Port 1433 not accessible Check UFW, provider firewall, and SQL Server config

📚 Bonus: Create a Sample Database

Once connected:

CREATE DATABASE TestDB;
GO
USE TestDB;
GO
CREATE TABLE Inventory (id INT, name NVARCHAR(50));
GO
INSERT INTO Inventory VALUES (1, 'Screwdriver'), (2, 'Hammer');
GO
SELECT * FROM Inventory;
GO

After we install Microsoft SQL server on Ubuntu VPS, let’s install Adminer on Ubuntu VPS so we can manage Microsoft SQL Server from a web-based GUI.

🌐 What is Adminer?

Adminer is a lightweight, single-file PHP web app that lets you manage databases from a browser—like a simpler, more secure alternative to phpMyAdmin.

✅ Works with: SQL Server, MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Oracle, and others
✅ No database client needed
✅ Simple installation (just one PHP file)

📦 Prerequisites

  • Ubuntu VPS with Microsoft SQL Server installed
  • Apache or Nginx web server
  • PHP installed (7.4+ recommended)

⚙️ Step-by-Step: Install Adminer for Microsoft SQL Server

To install Adminer for Microsoft SQL Server on Ubuntu VPS, follow the steps below:

  1. Install Web Server + PHP

    For Apache:

    sudo apt update sudo apt install -y apache2 php php-sybase

    php-sybase enables PHP to connect to Microsoft SQL Server via FreeTDS.

  2. Download Adminer

    sudo mkdir -p /var/www/html/adminer cd /var/www/html/adminer sudo wget -O index.php https://github.com/vrana/adminer/releases/latest/download/adminer.php
  3. Secure Permissions

    sudo chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/html/adminer sudo chmod -R 755 /var/www/html/adminer
  4. Enable the Adminer Site (Apache only)

    If you’re using Apache:

    sudo systemctl restart apache2

    You can now access Adminer at:

    http://your-server-ip/adminer
  5. Login to Microsoft SQL Server via Adminer

    Use the following settings:

    • System: Microsoft SQL Server
    • Server: localhost (or your IP)
    • Username: SA (or your configured SQL user)
    • Password: (your password)
    • Database: (optional: specify or leave blank to list all)

    If connecting remotely, use the public IP or hostname and ensure port 1433 is open.

  6. Secure Adminer (Highly Recommended)

    • Option 1: Restrict IP Access via .htaccess (Apache)

      sudo nano /var/www/html/adminer/.htaccess
      Order Deny,Allow Deny from all Allow from YOUR_IP_ADDRESS
    • Option 2: Password-protect with Basic Auth

      sudo apt install apache2-utils sudo htpasswd -c /etc/apache2/.htpasswd youradminuser

      Edit your site config or .htaccess to include:

      AuthType Basic AuthName "Restricted Access" AuthUserFile /etc/apache2/.htpasswd Require valid-user

      Then reload:

      sudo systemctl reload apache2

✅ Adminer is Ready!

You can now:

  • Run SQL queries
  • Browse tables
  • Create/modify users and databases
  • Export/import data

All from your web browser.

🛠 Optional: Use Adminer Theme (for better UI)

wget -O adminer.css https://raw.githubusercontent.com/vrana/adminer/master/designs/pepa-linha/adminer.css

Adminer will auto-load adminer.css if placed in the same directory.

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🎉 Conclusion

You now know how to install Microsoft SQL Server on Ubuntu VPS! This setup enables you to use SQL Server for development, testing, or production purposes with full command-line access.

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