Installing MSSQL on Linux: Step-by-Step Guide

Microsoft SQL Server (MSSQL) is a powerful tool used for database management for many years. Installing MSSQL on Linux is fairly easy when the correct steps are followed. In this guide, we will provide a step-by-step installation process using the "linux mssql installation" keyword to help you meet your requirements. Let's get started!

Preparing the Environment and Requirements

Before you begin installing MSSQL on Linux, there are some basic requirements to meet. First, you need to choose a suitable Linux distribution. MSSQL Server can run on distributions such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), CentOS, and Ubuntu.

Requirements:

• 64-bit Linux operating system
• At least 2 GB RAM (4 GB recommended)
• Sufficient disk space (at least 6 GB recommended)
• Internet connection (for repositories and updates)

Once you meet these requirements, make sure your system is up to date. You can use the following commands to update your system:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

These commands are for Ubuntu and Debian-based systems. If you're using RHEL or CentOS, you can use the `yum update` command instead.

Adding Repositories and Installing Packages

The next step is to add the required repositories for MSSQL Server packages. Microsoft provides official repositories for MSSQL Server. You can add these repositories using the following commands:

# For Ubuntu
curl https://packages.microsoft.com/keys/microsoft.asc | sudo apt-key add -
sudo add-apt-repository "$(curl https://packages.microsoft.com/config/ubuntu/$(lsb_release -rs)/prod.list)"

# For CentOS/RHEL
sudo curl -o /etc/yum.repos.d/mssql-server.repo https://packages.microsoft.com/config/rhel/7/mssql-server.repo

After adding the repositories, install the MSSQL Server packages:

# For Ubuntu
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y mssql-server

# For CentOS/RHEL
sudo yum install -y mssql-server

Configuring the MSSQL Server

After installing the packages, you need to configure MSSQL Server. The configuration process will require you to accept the license agreement and set an administrator (sa) password. Start the configuration by entering the following command in the terminal:

sudo /opt/mssql/bin/mssql-conf setup

When this command is executed, you will be presented with various options. Make the necessary configurations and complete the setup. After the setup is finished, start the MSSQL Server service and enable it to start automatically:

sudo systemctl start mssql-server
sudo systemctl enable mssql-server

Managing Databases and Creating Users

After successfully installing MSSQL Server, you can start managing your databases and creating new users. To connect to MSSQL Server, you can use the SQLCMD tool:

sqlcmd -S localhost -U sa -P 'YourPassword'

Once connected, you can create a new database using the following command:

CREATE DATABASE ExampleDatabase;

To create a new user and grant them permissions, use these commands:

CREATE LOGIN ExampleUser WITH PASSWORD = 'StrongPassword123!';
CREATE USER ExampleUser FOR LOGIN ExampleUser;
ALTER ROLE db_owner ADD MEMBER ExampleUser;

Performance Optimization and Security Settings

Finally, it's important to optimize MSSQL Server performance and configure security settings. The following steps can guide you in these areas:

• Firewall Settings: The default port for MSSQL Server is 1433. Open this port in your firewall.
• Backup Methods: Create regular backup strategies. This is critical in preventing data loss.
• Resource Monitoring: Use tools like `systemctl status mssql-server` and `top` to monitor MSSQL Server performance.

Performance and security are crucial for the healthy operation of MSSQL Server. Review these settings regularly and follow updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is installing MSSQL on Linux difficult?
   No, installing MSSQL on Linux is quite easy when following the correct steps.
2. Which Linux distributions support MSSQL?
   Popular distributions such as RHEL, CentOS, and Ubuntu support MSSQL Server.
3. Which ports should be opened for MSSQL?
   By default, MSSQL Server uses port 1433. You need to open this port in your firewall.
4. What steps should I take to improve performance?
   Check firewall settings, perform regular backups, and monitor system resources.
5. How do I manage MSSQL users?
   You can create new users and assign permissions using SQLCMD.