Step 1: Download SQL Server Docker Image

Dear Dev,In this article, we will discuss how to connect Docker to SQL Server on the host. Docker is a popular tool for containerization, and by integrating it with SQL Server, we can achieve efficient database management. In this article, we will provide step-by-step instructions on how to set up this connection, complete with tables and FAQs. So, let’s dive in!The first step in integrating Docker with SQL Server is to download the SQL Server Docker image. This image will contain all the necessary files to run SQL Server on Docker. Follow these steps to download the image:

Step 1.1: Open Docker Desktop

The first step is to open Docker Desktop on your system. If you don’t have Docker Desktop installed, you can download it from the official website.

Step 1.2: Open Command Prompt or Terminal

Next, open Command Prompt or Terminal on your system. This will be used to execute Docker commands.

Step 1.3: Pull SQL Server Image

Use the following command to pull the SQL Server image:

docker pull mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2019-latest

This command will download the SQL Server image from the Docker registry.

Step 1.4: Run SQL Server Container

After downloading the SQL Server image, we need to run it as a container. Use the following command to run the container:

docker run -d --name sql_server -p 1433:1433 -e 'ACCEPT_EULA=Y' -e 'SA_PASSWORD=mypassword' mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2019-latest

This command will run the SQL Server container with the default port number 1433 and set the sa password as ‘mypassword’.

Step 1.5: Verify SQL Server Container Status

Use the following command to check the status of the SQL Server container:

docker ps -a

This will display a table with information about all the containers running on Docker, including the SQL Server container.

CONTAINER ID	IMAGE	COMMAND	CREATED	STATUS	PORTS	NAMES
68af2d6183ee	mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2019-latest	/opt/mssql/bin/perm	2 minutes ago	Up 2 minutes	0.0.0.0:1433->1433/tcp	sql_server

FAQs:

Q1: Why is it necessary to download the SQL Server Docker image?

Downloading the SQL Server Docker image is necessary as it contains all the necessary files to run SQL Server on Docker. Without the image, we cannot run SQL Server as a container on Docker.

Q2: What is the significance of the ‘-p’ flag in Step 1.4?

The ‘-p’ flag is used to map the container’s port to the host machine’s port. In this case, we are running SQL Server on port 1433 inside the container, but we want to access it from the host machine’s port 1433. Hence, we map the container’s port to the host machine’s port using the ‘-p’ flag.

Q3: What is the significance of the ‘-e’ flag in Step 1.4?

The ‘-e’ flag is used to set environment variables for the container. In this case, we are using the ‘-e’ flag to set the sa password and accept the EULA for SQL Server.

Now that we have set up SQL Server as a container on Docker, we need to connect to it from the host machine. Follow these steps to establish the connection:

Step 2.1: Install SQL Server Management Studio

The first step is to install SQL Server Management Studio on your host machine. This tool will be used to connect to SQL Server on Docker. You can download SQL Server Management Studio from the official website.

Step 2.2: Open SQL Server Management Studio

Next, open SQL Server Management Studio and click on ‘Connect’ in the top left corner.

Step 2.3: Enter Server Name

In the ‘Connect to Server’ dialog box, enter the following details:

• Server type: Database Engine
• Server name: localhost,1433
• Authentication: SQL Server Authentication
• Login: sa
• Password: mypassword

Click on ‘Connect’.

Step 2.4: Verify Connection

After establishing the connection, verify it by running a sample query on SQL Server Management Studio.

FAQs:

Q1: Why do we need to install SQL Server Management Studio on the host machine?

SQL Server Management Studio is a tool used to connect to SQL Server and manage databases. It provides a graphical user interface to interact with SQL Server, which makes it easier for users to work with databases. Hence, we need to install it on the host machine to connect to SQL Server on Docker.

Q2: Why do we need to enter the server name as ‘localhost,1433’?

Since SQL Server is running inside a container, it has its own IP address and port number. However, we need to access it from the host machine, which has its own IP address and port number. By entering ‘localhost,1433’ as the server name, we are telling SQL Server Management Studio to connect to the SQL Server container running on Docker.

Q3: What is SQL Server Authentication?

SQL Server Authentication is a type of authentication method used by SQL Server to verify user identities. In this method, users are required to enter a login name and password to access SQL Server. We have used SQL Server Authentication to connect to SQL Server on Docker.

In conclusion, connecting Docker to SQL Server on the host is a simple yet powerful way to manage databases efficiently. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily set up a connection between Docker and SQL Server and start working on your databases.We hope this article was helpful in guiding you through the process of integrating Docker with SQL Server. If you have any further questions, please refer to the FAQs or leave a comment below. Happy coding!

FAQs:

Q1: What other databases can be integrated with Docker?

Docker supports various databases, including MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and Oracle Database.

Q2: Can we run multiple SQL Server containers on Docker?

Yes, we can run multiple SQL Server containers on Docker by changing the container names and port numbers.

Q3: What other tools can be used to connect to SQL Server?

Other tools that can be used to connect to SQL Server include Visual Studio, Azure Data Studio, and SQLCMD.