SQL Server 2019

Database2048MB+ RAM

Microsoft SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition

Download Server Compass View Documentation

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Deploy SQL Server 2019 in 3 Steps

Connect Your VPS

Add your server credentials to Server Compass

Select SQL Server 2019

Choose from our template library

Deploy & Configure

Fill in settings and click Deploy

No Docker knowledge required

Video Tutorials

Learn How to Deploy SQL Server 2019

All tutorials

Install SQL Server 2019 on VPS — Self Host Microsoft SQL with GUI Admin

Learn how to install SQL Server 2019 on your VPS and manage it with a visual GUI admin interface using Server Compass.

Watch tutorial

Self-Deploy Guide

DIY SQL Server 2019 Deployment

Learn how to self-host SQL Server 2019 with this hands-on deployment guide.

SSH into Your Server

Launch your preferred terminal and connect to your VPS using SSH.

terminal

# Log into your server
ssh root@<your-server-ip>

# If using key-based auth
ssh -i ~/.ssh/my-key root@<your-server-ip>

First time? Docker not installed? Run: curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com | sh

Create Working Directory

Prepare a directory for your application files and configuration.

terminal

# Create and navigate to project directory
mkdir -p ~/apps/sql-server
cd ~/apps/sql-server

Configure Your Containers

Create the Docker Compose configuration file with these contents:

docker-compose.yml

services:
  mssql:
    image: mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2019-latest
    ports:
      - "1433:1433"
    environment:
      - ACCEPT_EULA=Y
      - MSSQL_SA_PASSWORD=<your-sa-password>
      - MSSQL_PID=Developer
    volumes:
      - mssql_data:/var/opt/mssql
    restart: unless-stopped

volumes:
  mssql_data:

Setup Variables

PORTHost port(default: 1433)

SA_PASSWORDSA password

Deploy with Docker Compose

Launch the application stack using Docker Compose.

terminal

# Deploy the application
docker compose up -d

# Check container health
docker compose ps

# Monitor logs
docker compose logs -f --tail=100

Open Required Ports

Enable external access by opening the necessary port.

terminal

# Allow the application port through firewall
sudo ufw allow 1433/tcp
sudo ufw reload

# Access your app at:
# http://your-server-ip:1433

Skip the Terminal

There's an easier way. Meet Server Compass.

Let Server Compass handle the complexity. Deploy SQL Server 2019 with a simple, intuitive interface.

Intuitive dashboard
Deploy in 3 minutes
Free SSL included
Blue-green deploys
Real-time logs
Version history

Download Server Compass$29 one-time • Lifetime license

After Deployment

After deploying SQL Server 2019 with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup

Connect with sqlcmd or SSMS

Create databases and users

Set up backups

Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.

SQL Server 2019 FAQ

Common questions about self-hosting SQL Server 2019

How do I deploy SQL Server 2019 with Server Compass?

Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select SQL Server 2019 from the templates list. Fill in the required configuration and click Deploy. The entire process takes under 3 minutes.

What are the system requirements for SQL Server 2019?

SQL Server 2019 requires a minimum of 2048MB RAM. We recommend a VPS with at least 4096MB RAM for optimal performance. Any modern Linux server with Docker support will work.

Can I migrate my existing SQL Server 2019 data?

Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard SQL Server 2019 backup and restore procedures.

How do I update SQL Server 2019 to the latest version?

Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest SQL Server 2019 image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.

Is SQL Server 2019 free to self-host?

SQL Server 2019 is open-source software. You only pay for your VPS hosting (typically $5-20/month) and optionally Server Compass ($29 one-time). No subscription fees or per-seat pricing.