Running Microsoft SQL Server in Docker on Ubuntu

This guide shows how to run Microsoft SQL Server in Docker and connect to it using either the command line (sqlcmd) or IntelliJ IDEA's Database tool (DataGrip).

Step 1: Pull the SQL Server image

docker pull mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2022-latest

Step 2: Create and start the container

docker run -d \
  --name sqlserver \
  -e "ACCEPT_EULA=Y" \
  -e "MSSQL_SA_PASSWORD=StrongPassword123!" \
  -p 1433:1433 \
  mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2022-latest

Verify that the container is running:

docker ps

Connect using the command line

Open a terminal and execute:

docker exec -it sqlserver /opt/mssql-tools18/bin/sqlcmd \
-S localhost \
-U sa \
-P 'StrongPassword123!' \
-C

If your image uses the older tools path:

docker exec -it sqlserver /opt/mssql-tools/bin/sqlcmd \
-S localhost \
-U sa \
-P 'StrongPassword123!'

You should see:

1>

Create a new database:

CREATE DATABASE [sqlserver-demo];
GO

Switch to it:

USE [sqlserver-demo];
GO

Verify the current database:

SELECT DB_NAME();
GO

Exit:

QUIT

Connect using IntelliJ IDEA (Database / DataGrip)

1. Open View → Tool Windows → Database.
2. Click + → Data Source → Microsoft SQL Server.
3. Enter the following details:

Host: localhost
Port: 1433
Database: master
Username: sa
Password: StrongPassword123!

Alternatively, use this JDBC URL:

jdbc:sqlserver://localhost:1433;databaseName=master;encrypt=false;trustServerCertificate=true

1. Download the Microsoft JDBC driver when prompted.
2. Click Test Connection.
3. Click OK.

Create a new database:

CREATE DATABASE [sqlserver-demo];
GO

Switch to it:

USE [sqlserver-demo];
GO

If the database does not appear immediately, right-click the connection and select Synchronize (or Refresh).

Stop the container

docker stop sqlserver

Start it again

docker start sqlserver

Remove the container

docker rm -f sqlserver

Note: Removing the container deletes the SQL Server instance. To preserve data between recreations, mount a Docker volume.