Microsoft SQL Server - Docker Setup & Usage Guide

ℹ️ Introduction

This guide explains how to set up and access Microsoft SQL Server using Docker Compose. By default this stack uses the shared external Docker network so other containers can reach the database directly.

⚡🏃‍♂️ Quick Setup

1. Make sure the external network exists (or create it)

docker network create --subnet=172.40.0.0/24 dev1-net
docker network ls

1. Create and start the container stack

docker compose -f compose.yaml up -d --force-recreate --remove-orphans

1. Verify the network

• Verify that both containers are on the same network: docker network inspect dev1-net
• Verify the SQL Server service from the host: sqlcmd -S localhost,14330 -U sa -P DockerMssql123! -Q "SELECT name FROM sys.databases"

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▶️ Usage

Default Credentials

• Server name inside Docker: mssql
• Server name from host: localhost,14330
• Admin login: sa
• Admin password: DockerMssql123!
• Default database: docker
• App login: docker
• App password: DockerUser123!

Access the Database from Another Container

When another Docker container is attached to the same external network, use these values:

• DB_HOST=mssql
• DB_PORT=1433
• DB_NAME=docker
• DB_USER=docker
• DB_PASSWORD=DockerUser123!

Example: Web Application Compose File

webapp:
  build: ./webapp
  environment:
    DB_HOST: mssql
    DB_PORT: 1433
    DB_NAME: docker
    DB_USER: docker
    DB_PASSWORD: DockerUser123!

Access from Host or External Machine

Use the host port from compose.yaml:

DB_HOST=127.0.0.1
DB_PORT=14330
DB_NAME=docker
DB_USER=docker
DB_PASSWORD=DockerUser123!

HeidiSQL on Windows

If HeidiSQL shows a warning about SQLOLEDB and insecure TLS 1.0, that warning comes from the old Windows client provider, not from this Docker container.

Use this approach on the host:

• Install the current Microsoft OLE DB Driver for SQL Server on Windows.
• In HeidiSQL, avoid the legacy SQLOLEDB provider when connecting to this server.
• Use the same host settings shown above: localhost, port 14330, database docker, user docker or sa.
• For local development, use encrypted connections with TrustServerCertificate=True when the client asks for certificate-related settings.

Example Connection Strings

Server=mssql,1433;Database=docker;User Id=docker;Password=DockerUser123!;TrustServerCertificate=True;

Server=localhost,14330;Database=docker;User Id=docker;Password=DockerUser123!;TrustServerCertificate=True;

Notes

• SQL Server requires a strong password. Change MSSQL_SA_PASSWORD and MSSQL_PASSWORD in .env before using this stack outside local development.
• The mssql-init sidecar creates the docker database and docker login the first time the stack starts.