Run SQL Server in a Windows Docker container - Step by Step

Thanks to all those who have given details in bits and pieces via videos, blogs.

I want to set up SQL Server on Docker on Windows. Below is the step by step guide to achieving the same.

Step 1: Download and Setup Docker for Windows

Download Docker for Desktop from Link "https://hub.docker.com/?overlay=onboarding", You will get the file "Docker Desktop Installer.exe"

Step 2: Run the setup as admin

This will download docker files in folder "C:\Program Files\Docker\Docker" and then install docker.

Step 3: Open Power shell as admin and run below commands, Once installation completed (I have selected install for windows)

Command 1:  docker run hello-world      à This will install image of hello world program from docker hub

Command 2: docker --version                    à This will give a version of docker

Command 3: docker image ls                      à This will list all images  available in docker (even if not used)

Command 4: docker container ls -all        à This will list all containers setup on docker

In the docker hub, you can upload images or download images required for use.

Step 4: Let's download the SQL server image from the docker hub. 

Command: docker pull microsoft/mssql-server-windows-developer:2017-latest

Step 6: let's verify  images

Command: docker image ls

Step 7: Let's install SQL Server 2017 image downloaded

Syntax: docker run -d –p <Port> –name <FriendlyName> -e sa_password=<Password> -e ACCEPT_EULA=Y microsoft/mssql-server-windows-developer:2017-latest

Command: docker run -d –p 1433:1433 –name  sql1  -e sa_password=Adil@123 -e ACCEPT_EULA=Y microsoft/mssql-server-windows-developer:2017-latest

Here we mention port twice, First for Local machine second for the container. In case you want to create multiple SQL servers, Please use different ports

This will install SQL 2017 and start the service. To monitor from GUI you can also use tool "Kitematck" from https://github.com/docker/kitematic/releases

Step 8. Now let's assign IP so we can access SQL Server  from SSMS

Command: docker inspect --format '{{.NetworkSettings.Networks.nat.IPAddress}}' sql1

Step 9: Let's use IP to connect from SQL Server (Make sure SSMS is installed). Open SSMS

Step 10. Executing my first query.

Now we are good with SQL Server. This will be very helpful for

1. Setting testing and development environments

2. Setting up environments for training.