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Need to work with Microsoft SQL Server (MSSQL) but don’t want the hassle of installing it directly on your system? Docker offers a quick and clean way to get MSSQL up and running without affecting your main operating system.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to install MSSQL using Docker, run it with the right configurations, and connect to it using tools like SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) or any other database client.
Let’s get started!

Why Use Docker for MSSQL?

Using Docker for MSSQL gives you:
  • Easy setup and teardown
  • No permanent changes to your operating system
  • The ability to run multiple instances or versions side by side
  • A consistent environment across development machines

Prerequisites

Make sure you have Docker installed before continuing.

For Windows/macOS:

Download Docker Desktop from: https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop

For Ubuntu/Linux:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install docker.io
Check Docker version: 
docker --version

Step 1: Pull the MSSQL Docker Image

Microsoft provides an official image for SQL Server on Linux, which works great in Docker.
To pull the image, run: 
docker pull mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2022-latest
Replace 2022-latest with a different version if needed (e.g., 2019-latest).

Step 2: Run the MSSQL Container

Start a new container with this command: 
docker run -e "ACCEPT_EULA=Y" \
  -e "SA_PASSWORD=YourStrong!Passw0rd" \
  -p 1433:1433 \
  --name mssql-container \
  -d mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2022-latest

What each part means:

  • -e "ACCEPT_EULA=Y" → Accepts Microsoft’s license agreement
  • -e "SA_PASSWORD=..." → Sets the sa (system admin) password (must be strong!)
  • -p 1433:1433 → Exposes the default MSSQL port
  • --name mssql-container → Names the container for easy reference
  • -d → Runs in detached (background) mode

Step 3: Persist Data with Docker Volumes (Optional but Recommended)

If you want to keep your data even after restarting or removing the container, mount a volume: 
docker run -e "ACCEPT_EULA=Y" \
  -e "SA_PASSWORD=YourStrong!Passw0rd" \
  -p 1433:1433 \
  --name mssql-container \
  -v mssql-data:/var/opt/mssql \
  -d mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2022-latest
This uses a Docker volume called mssql-data to store your database files.

Step 4: Check That MSSQL Is Running

Run this command to see your container: 
docker ps
If successful, you’ll see your mssql-container running and listening on port 1433.

Step 5: Connect to SQL Server

Option 1: Use SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)

  • Server name: localhost,1433
  • Authentication: SQL Server Authentication
  • Login: sa
  • Password: YourStrong!Passw0rd
  • Replace with the values you used during container setup.

Option 2: Use Azure Data Studio or DBeaver

These tools also support MSSQL. Use the same connection info as above.

Option 3: Use sqlcmd (if installed)

sqlcmd -S localhost -U sa -P YourStrong!Passw0rd
Now you're connected to the database shell!

Step 6: Manage the Container

Here are some handy Docker commands:
Action Command
Stop the container docker stop mssql-container
Start the container again docker start mssql-container
Remove the container docker rm -f mssql-container
View logs docker logs mssql-container

Step 7: Clean Up (If Needed)

To remove everything: 
docker stop mssql-container && docker rm mssql-container && docker volume rm mssql-data
This deletes the container and any persistent data (only do this if you're sure!).

Docker Compose Example

If you prefer using Docker Compose, here’s a docker-compose.yml: 
version: '3.8'

services:
  mssql:
    image: mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2022-latest
    container_name: mssql-container
    environment:
      ACCEPT_EULA: Y
      SA_PASSWORD: YourStrong!Passw0rd
    ports:
      - "1433:1433"
    volumes:
      - mssql-data:/var/opt/mssql

volumes:
  mssql-data:
Run it with: 
docker-compose up -d

Best Practices

  • Always use a strong password for the sa account.
  • Use volumes to persist your database data.
  • Don’t expose port 1433 to the public in production environments.
  • Use Docker Compose for multi-service setups or easier management.

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