mssql-docker
Official Microsoft repository providing Docker Dockerfiles, documentation, and resources for running SQL Server in containerized environments on both Linux and Windows. Supports SQL Server 2017 (Developer and Express editions) with guidance for production deployment.
Key facts
Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Repository | microsoft/mssql-docker |
| Owner | microsoft |
| Primary language | Dockerfile |
| License | MIT — OSI-approved |
| Stars | 1.9k |
| Forks | 762 |
| Open issues | 518 |
| Latest release | Unknown |
| Last updated | 2026-01-27 |
| Source | https://github.com/microsoft/mssql-docker |
What mssql-docker is
Collection of Dockerfiles and configuration resources for SQL Server 2017 on Linux (Ubuntu 16.04 base) and Windows Containers. Includes tooling images for sqlcmd and bcp, with community engagement channels and documented support policies for production use.
Get the mssql-docker source
Clone the repository and explore it locally.
git clone https://github.com/microsoft/mssql-docker.gitcd mssql-docker# follow the project's README for install & configurationNeed it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.
Best use cases
Implementation considerations
- SA (administrator) password requires minimum 8 characters with uppercase, lowercase, alphanumeric, and non-alphanumeric characters; document password policy early.
- Windows Container images run only on Docker Engine for Windows Containers; Linux images require Docker Engine on Linux/WSL. Validate host OS and Docker daemon configuration before deployment.
- Ubuntu 16.04 base image is EOL; assess patch management and security update strategy for long-term use. Monitor for CentOS/RHEL preview maturity as alternatives.
- Licensing depends on SQL Server edition (Express/Developer free; Standard/Enterprise paid); verify edition selection and track costs if scaling beyond free tiers.
- Production deployments require explicit support policy review and compliance with Microsoft's documented support matrix; file issues via Microsoft Support, not GitHub, for production incidents.
When to avoid it — and what to weigh
- Production Mission-Critical Workloads Without Support Review — README explicitly states to review Microsoft's support policy before production use. Unsupported configurations may lack SLA guarantees; requires documented compatibility verification.
- High-Performance or Enterprise-Grade Requirements — Repository documents SQL Server 2017 only; no mention of SQL Server 2019+ stable releases for Windows Containers. Standard/Enterprise editions incur licensing costs; verify edition fit and pricing model.
- Linux Container Environments Without Ubuntu 16.04 Compatibility — Base image is Ubuntu 16.04 (end-of-life April 2021). RHEL and CentOS alternatives exist but are in 'preview' status with unclear support maturity. May require custom base image maintenance.
- Environments Requiring Long-Term Support or Frequent Updates — No versioned releases tracked (latestRelease: none). Repository archived status is false but unclear release cadence. 518 open issues suggest potential resource constraints or backlog accumulation.
License & commercial use
Docker resource files are licensed under MIT (MIT License), an OSI-approved permissive license. However, the license covers repository artifacts only; SQL Server software itself has separate licensing terms dependent on edition (free for Developer/Express; paid for Standard/Enterprise).
MIT license permits commercial use of Dockerfile and resource files. However, SQL Server licensing is independent: Developer and Express editions are free for any use; Standard and Enterprise editions incur per-core or per-CAL licensing costs regardless of deployment method. Requires explicit licensing agreement with Microsoft for production Standard/Enterprise use.
DEV.co evaluation signals
Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.
| Signal | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Maintenance | Active |
| Documentation | Adequate |
| License clarity | Clear |
| Deployment complexity | Moderate |
| DEV.co fit | Good |
| Assessment confidence | High |
SA password complexity requirements are enforced (8+ chars, mixed case, alphanumeric/non-alphanumeric). Repository contains Dockerfile configurations, not runtime exploits or CVE details. Ubuntu 16.04 base image is EOL and may not receive security patches; plan for base image refresh or monitor for community patch forks. SQL Server licensing and support policy review is prerequisite for production; unsupported configurations may lack security update guarantees. No vulnerability disclosure process documented; security issues should follow Microsoft responsible disclosure.
Alternatives to consider
PostgreSQL Docker Official Image
Open-source relational database with built-in Docker support, no licensing costs, and active community. Suitable if SQL Server-specific features (T-SQL, Integration Services) are not required.
MySQL / MariaDB Docker Images
Lightweight relational databases with extensive Docker ecosystem support and zero licensing. Trade-off is SQL Server enterprise features and MSSQL-specific tooling.
Azure SQL Database / Managed Instance
Microsoft-managed SQL Server as a service eliminates container operational overhead, handles patching and backups, and provides SLA guarantees. Higher per-transaction costs; preferred for production workloads requiring enterprise support.
Build on mssql-docker with DEV.co software developers
Review the README documentation, verify your use case aligns with Microsoft's support policy, and confirm your SQL Server edition (free vs. licensed). Start with the getting-started guide and join the Gitter community for peer support.
Talk to DEV.coRelated open-source tools
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mssql-docker FAQ
Can I use SQL Server containers in production?
What is the difference between Linux and Windows container images?
Is the Ubuntu 16.04 base image still secure?
What are the licensing costs?
Software developers & web developers for hire
Need help beyond evaluating mssql-docker? DEV.co is a software development agency offering software development services and web development for teams of every size. Our software developers and web developers build custom software, web applications, APIs, and open-source databases integrations — and maintain them long-term.
Ready to Containerize SQL Server?
Review the README documentation, verify your use case aligns with Microsoft's support policy, and confirm your SQL Server edition (free vs. licensed). Start with the getting-started guide and join the Gitter community for peer support.