Supported Linux platforms

Microsoft SQL Server 2019 is tested and supported to run on several Linux distribution platforms:

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)
• SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES)
• Ubuntu

Along with the above versions of Linux distributions, SQL Server 2019 is supported in a container scenario using a Docker image.  Running a SQL Server database inside a Docker engine with Linux offers more flexibility, faster recovery, and quicker deployments, including deployments into the Azure cloud. For those becoming familiar with Linux, Docker for Windows or Mac gives you the option to run a Docker engine on your workstation with SQL Server 2019 on Linux.

Along with Docker technology, orchestration can be achieved, both managing and deploying SQL Server containers on Linux using Red Hat Open shift or Kubernetes. This includes SQL Server 2019 Big Data Clusters (BDC), fully scalable clusters with SQL Server, Spark, and Hadoop File System (HDFS). BDCs provide the ability to read, write, and analyze big data with T-SQL or Spark, and you can combine big data and relational data, too.

While this post has focused on RHEL, SLES, Ubuntu, and container options for Linux, you may have questions regarding other Linux distributions that may be able to run SQL Server 2019, but they’re not supported by Microsoft. Always consider the database server’s use before deciding to run SQL Server 2019 on an unsupported operating system and refer to Microsoft’s support policy on the topic.

Tools for Microsoft SQL Server 2019 running on Linux

With the release of SQL Server 2019, there are more tools that database professionals can use with SQL Server 2019 running on Linux:

• Windows-based tools—You can use any existing tools that run on Windows to access SQL Server on Linux. This includes SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT), operational support systems, and third-party tools.
• Activity Monitor—Use SSMS on Windows to connect remotely and use tools/features such as Activity Monitor commands on a Linux host.
• Azure Data Studio—Use this cross-platform database tool to manage the Microsoft family of on-premises and cloud data platforms on Windows, MacOS, and Linux. That includes SQL Server 2019 running on Linux. You can also create SQL Server Notebooks in Azure Data Studio, multiple team members to collaborate on projects.
• Dynamic Management Views (DMVs)—System DMVs collect different types of information about SQL Server, including Linux process information. Use server state information in conjunction with dynamic management functions (DMFs) to monitor the health of a server instance, diagnose problems, and tune performance.
• Query Store—Use Query Store for insights on query plan choice and performance. It simplifies performance troubleshooting by helping database professionals quickly find performance differences caused by query plan changes.
• Performance Dashboard—The Performance Dashboard helps you determine if there’s a performance bottleneck on the connected SQL Server instance and provides diagnostic data to help you resolve the problem.
• mssql-conf is a configuration script that installs with SQL Server 2019 for Linux.

Command Line Tools for Microsoft SQL Server 2019 on Linux

• sqlcmd and Bulk Copy Protocol (BCP)—These command-line tools are natively available on Linux. sqlcmd is a command-line query utility, and BCP is a bulk import-export utility.
• mssql-scripter—This command-line tool on Linux generates T-SQL scripts for a SQL database running anywhere.
• mssql-cli—This new, interactive command-line tool written in Python offers several enhancements over sqlcmd in the Terminal environment.

With these tools and command line tools, you’re now ready to run Microsoft SQL Server 2019 on Linux. To learn more about what you can do with Microsoft SQL Server 2019, check out the free Packt guide Introducing Microsoft SQL 19. If you’re ready to jump to a fully managed cloud solution, check out the Essential Guide to Data in the Cloud.

The post Tools and commands for running SQL Server 2019 on Linux appeared first on Microsoft SQL Server Blog.

As a long-time Linux database administrator (DBA), in this post I’ll share my top five focus areas for the Microsoft data professional to become knowledgeable of as they embark on the brave new world of Linux.

1. Embrace the command line

Yes, there is a graphical user interface, (GUI) for Linux, but the command line rules in Linux. We can’t stress enough how important it is to learn how to navigate directories (cd), change permissions (chmod), and list contents (ls). Your best friend will become the -h argument to any command to get the help menu for whatever you’re attempting.

It will be essential to know how to install and update your server and applications, (apt-get, yum, and zypper) as it may be your responsibility not only to just perform this task for the database tier, but also the server if a Linux administrator isn’t already on staff in your organization.

You will also need to learn how to update your existing PowerShell scripts to work on Linux or learn how to write BASH scripts. This is commonly done from a terminal editor and one of the best is VI/VIM. Knowing how to use VI will give you credibility when working with Linux and deter too many questions when in the middle of critical work or even day-to-day tasks.

2. Understand the operating system

There are many distributions (aka flavors) of Linux, which has grown from the original release. Each distribution, although very similar, may have their own unique requirements and quirks. Understanding what distributions are best for enterprise deployments can ensure what you have deployed into the environment can withstand the demands the business puts on it. It was only two decades ago that Unix DBAs were hesitant to run relational databases on any version of Linux. In that time, every distribution has come a long way, but many distributions have a purpose. If we take a very specific flavor of Debian, called Raspbian, it was specifically designed to run the operating system for Raspberry Pis, which are single Advanced RISC Machine (ARM) processor computers. Understanding the difference in a distribution like Raspbian vs. enterprise Linux distributions like Enterprise Red Hat, Enterprise SUSE, and Ubuntu is important. Just because you can get SQL Server to run on non-supported Linux distributions such as CentOS doesn’t mean you should run the business on them. Stick to the supported versions and the user experience will be more satisfying along with new features available in regular release intervals.

3. Use the tools you already have

Just because SQL Server is running on Linux doesn’t mean that your previous robust tools for management, monitoring, and querying won’t work any longer. As a DBA, you can still use SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) and preferably, use Azure Data Studio to connect to your Linux SQL Server 2019 databases. You can’t install Server Management Studio onto Linux, but you can create a Windows “jump box” with Server Management Studio and configure it as the primary log in point for administration tasks. Developers can still access SQL Server 2019 on Linux with Visual Studio Code with the SQL Server extension and have full use of SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT).

As this is Linux, the command line is still king. Sqlcmd is available to log in from on the Linux server to execute queries, run scripts, and perform management. Sqlcmd doesn’t change in the Linux version and executing a script is as simple as the following example, which logs in as the admin user to the database and password, then runs a script and logs it all in a simple text file:

sqlcmd -U $username -S $servername  -P $spassword -d $database -i $script.sql > $logfile

4. Build on existing knowledge with new tools

PowerShell is taking center stage on Linux with new releases on a regular basis, so keep those skills sharp and with a few changes, many of the scripts you use today can be updated to work on SQL Server 2019 on Linux. Although sqlcmd is available for your querying command line needs, there is a new tool in town called mssql-cli.

This installation is a simple, on-line command:

sudo pip install mssql-cli

If there are any issues with installation, Linux is commonly quite good about telling you what library or tool dependencies that must be installed before the installation needs to be run again for success.

Always remember, if you get stuck, help is always available to offer assistance:

mssql-cli –h

To log into a database, the following is required:

mssql-cli -U $username -S $servername -P $password -d $database

If you notice the command is very similar to the example we used for sqlcmd rest easy, your world hasn’t changed as much as you were concerned about. Once you’re logged into mssql-cli, you’ll be able to use this to access SQL Server 2019 databases inside Linux. Features like auto-complete with IntelliSense, multi-line editing, and a metadata repository makes it easier to work with the command line for those just getting up to speed with SQL Server 2019 on Linux. There are a few limitations in mssql-cli, like the ability to execute scripts or send an output aren’t present, but the same queries that worked on-premises in sqlcmd will work here. Keep in mind that this new tool is in its infancy and still maturing on a regular release schedule.

The third new tool isn’t that new but is the next powerhouse to take on the DBA since SQL Server Management Studio and is called Azure Data Studio. If you haven’t embraced this cross-platform tool specifically designed for data professionals, you’re missing out. No more 32-bit interface, this is a modern interface with IntelliSense, code control integration, and customizable dashboards.

The biggest benefit is that it can be installed on Linux with no local installation or jump box required. All three primary Linux distributions are supported, as well as a Mac OS installation. Database administration tasks that are less likely to be required with cloud implementations, such as on-premises physical management, backups, etc. still will require SQL Server Management Studio, but if you’re part of the next generation of cloud administrators that have automated much of the mundane, then Azure Data Studio is a must.

5. Consider the power of containers

With Linux and SQL Server 2019, the addition of Big Data Clusters with Kubernetes support has been added. The reasons behind using containers are vast including simplified deployment, ease of management, and quicker recovery, but then add Big Data Clusters on top of this and it becomes quite the powerhouse.

Containers with Kubernetes offers DBAs the opportunity to manage the database without the added layer of separate OS for each node, or group of nodes, that is also called a pod. Less resources have to be allocated per database and without the additional layer, it can recover quicker.

Using Kubernetes, or similar sorted container orchestration, Big Data Clusters can be deployed, then manage a cluster of SQL Server, Apache Spark™, and the Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS). Polybase is then used to virtualize data from various data sources with SQL Server, while an HDFS data pool can be used as a data lake for all big data using Apache Spark™. The SQL Server master instance simplifies the management and includes read, write, and processing of all data, no matter the source and is an exciting new frontier in the SQL Server 2019 release for Linux.

The list above includes just a few of the significant opportunities to learn and build your skills in Linux with SQL Server 2019. To help you on the way to mastering SQL Server 2019 on Linux, a number of resources have been made available through Microsoft, including this incredible new Packt e-book Introducing Microsoft SQL Server 2019. Don’t miss out on the next generation of SQL Server. Learn all the things and let Microsoft help you get there. If you’re ready to jump to a fully managed cloud solution, check out the Essential Guide to Data in the Cloud.

The post What’s new with SQL Server 2019 Linux features appeared first on Microsoft SQL Server Blog.

The truth is, there’s no need to leave all of your skills behind as you embark on your new Azure adventure. You just need to enhance the skills you already have with new and exciting ones. Much of our value around automation, understanding mission critical systems and development, and optimization is just as needed in the new world of the cloud as it was in the world of on-premises data centers. Those Powershell and other scripting skills can make you an asset when it comes to performing tasks and deploying fast into the cloud.

To help you on your way to mastering the cloud, we’re offering a free eBook from Packt, Professional Azure SQL Administration, second edition, which will get you up to speed on the Azure cloud quicker than you ever could on your own. This eBook is chock full of all of the technical knowledge you’ll need, no matter if you are a novice or have been working in Azure extensively and just want a reference containing valuable tips and best practices.

One of the focuses I really appreciate in this edition is the fine detail on Azure security, which is a common hot topic for the business when it’s considering the cloud. The book also goes over all of those cool new features that are available first in the cloud, so you won’t have to wait to learn about data synchronization between Azure databases, machine learning in Azure Database, or sharing data from the sidelines.

There are over 500 pages in this eBook that will educate you on the service and pricing tiers in Azure, offer guidance on how to build out a successful migration project, and once you’ve migrated to Azure, how to get the most out of your cloud investment.

The post DBAs: It’s time to get up to speed with Azure appeared first on Microsoft SQL Server Blog.

This was my life, but it wasn’t always satisfying. It was days of backups, database refreshes, after-hours database outages, and weekend patching. Once, this was what gave me value and my day meaning until one day I asked myself, “Is this all there is?” I had years of database administration, automation, and scripting experience. I was highly detail-oriented and cared about the success of my team. What was next?

Is all that daily slog the best use of your skills?

In a word, cloud. Maybe you too have watched your peers working in the cloud with envy, and you’ve not found a simple roadmap to help you achieve what they’re already accomplishing. Or perhaps your company is getting serious about a transition to the cloud, and you’re curious or a tad anxious about what that means for your role.

Whatever the reason, you’re wondering how to break out of the daily DBA grind and join this cloud community and of course you’re thinking about risk. (We DBAs are a bit risk averse.) Risk could mean data loss, and since DBAs are only as good as their last database recovery, we tend to play it safer than the developers around us.

On the other hand, those working with data in the cloud are learning new technology, branching out to enhance their technical chops, and adding new skills to their resume like Azure, JSON, machine learning, Linux and Linux scripting, DevOps, analytics, and artificial intelligence. How do you get in on all this?

Fortunately, help is here. Today my Microsoft peers are launching a trio of free resources to help DBAs like us navigate the transition to cloud. Get to know how you’ll be managing data in the cloud, the tasks you’ll be able to let go of with the help of cloud automation, and the more strategic responsibilities you’ll get to take on. These resources include:

• The essential guide to data in the cloud: A handbook for DBAs: This is the ultimate resource for everything you might need in a transition to the cloud, from migration and optimization to managing costs and innovating with connected cloud services.
• Five steps to jump-start your cloud DBA journey: What can you do right now to get ready for the cloud? Here’s a cheat sheet of everything you can tackle today.
• Cloud database migration essentials: Once you’re ready for a deeper dive on migrating your data, this is the e-book for you.

As a DBA, you’re in charge of one of your company’s most important assets—its data. You’re the gatekeeper, the protector, and the database whisperer, but is all that daily slog the best use of your skills? Managing your data in the cloud isn’t that different from managing it on-premises using the same tools, but in a new way, along with new tools and capabilities to take you to the next level in your DBA career. You’ll have less tedious tasks and vast new cloud capabilities to master, as well as the ability to do your job at a scale you’ve only imagined.

Ready to do more, be more? I’ll be presenting on these very topics in a free webinar—sign up today.

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