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Applies to: 
SQL Server on Linux
This article provides guidance for installing, updating, and uninstalling SQL Server 2017 (14.x), SQL Server 2019 (15.x), SQL Server 2022 (16.x), and SQL Server 2025 (17.x) on Linux.
For other deployment scenarios, see:
- Windows
- Linux containers
- Kubernetes - Big Data Clusters (SQL Server 2019 (15.x) only)
This guide covers several deployment scenarios. If you only need step-by-step installation instructions, jump to one of the quickstarts:
- Quickstart: Install SQL Server and create a database on Red Hat
- Quickstart: Install SQL Server and create a database on SUSE Linux Enterprise Server
- Quickstart: Install SQL Server and create a database on Ubuntu
- Quickstart: Run SQL Server Linux container images with Docker
For answers to frequently asked questions, see the SQL Server on Linux FAQ.
SQL Server support policy
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Servicing | Microsoft releases GDR, hotfixes, and security fixes within lifecycle of product for supported distributions. |
| Support | Microsoft supports users with problems pertaining to supported distributions. |
Support policy
SQL Server is supported on Linux distributions until the earlier of two events: the end of the distribution's support lifecycle, or the end of the SQL Server support lifecycle.
Servicing policy
During the Mainstream support phase of SQL Server, we provide Cumulative Updates (CUs) for all Linux distributions that are also within their Mainstream support period. For Linux distributions that move from Mainstream to Extended support and are still recognized as supported platforms, Microsoft can release CUs and bug fixes at its discretion.
Once SQL Server moves beyond Mainstream support and into the Extended support phase, we continue to publish security updates and General Distribution Release (GDR) fixes. However, these updates aren't extended to Linux distributions that conclude their support period.
Supported platforms
SQL Server is supported on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES), and Ubuntu. It's also supported as a container image, which can run on Kubernetes, OpenShift, and Docker Engine on Linux.
| Platform | File system | Installation guide |
|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.7 - 7.9 Server 1, or 8.x Server | XFS or ext4 | Installation guide |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server v12 SP3 - SP5 2 | XFS or ext4 | Installation guide |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS 3 | XFS or ext4 | Installation guide |
| Docker Engine 1.8+ on Linux 4 | N/A | Installation guide |
1 At the end of June 2024, RHEL 7.x transitioned from mainstream maintenance to extended lifecycle support (ELS). For more information, see Red Hat Enterprise Linux Life Cycle.
2 At the end of Oct 2024, SLES v12 transitioned from standard general support to long term service pack support (LTSS). For more information, see Product Support Lifecycle Lifecycle Dates by Product.
3 At the end of April 2023, Ubuntu 18.04 LTS transitioned from standard maintenance to expanded security maintenance (ESM). For more information, see Ubuntu 18.04 end of standard support.
4 SQL Server container images are supported only on Linux hosts running on Intel and AMD x86-64 CPUs. Emulation or translation environments (for example, Rosetta 2, Prism, or QEMU) aren't tested or supported. If you want to create a feature request, or report an emulator-related issue, visit the official GitHub repository.
Tip
For more information, review the system requirements for SQL Server on Linux. For the latest support policy for SQL Server, see the Technical support policy for Microsoft SQL Server.
You should run production workloads on supported platforms like Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, and Ubuntu Pro, as they receive regular OS security updates, and have support coverage options that you need for enterprise database deployments.
| Platform | File system | Installation guide | Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.7 - 7.9 Server 1, or 8.x Server | XFS or ext4 | Installation guide | Get RHEL 8 |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server v12 (SP3 - SP5) 2, or v15 | XFS or ext4 | Installation guide | Get SLES v15 |
| Ubuntu 18.04 3 or 20.04 | XFS or ext4 | Installation guide | Get Ubuntu 20.04 |
| Docker Engine 1.8+ on Linux 4 | N/A | Installation guide | Get Docker |
1 At the end of June 2024, RHEL 7.x transitioned from mainstream maintenance to extended lifecycle support (ELS). For more information, see Red Hat Enterprise Linux Life Cycle.
2 At the end of Oct 2024, SLES v12 transitioned from standard general support to long term service pack support (LTSS). For more information, see Product Support Lifecycle Lifecycle Dates by Product.
3 At the end of April 2023, Ubuntu 18.04 LTS transitioned from standard maintenance to expanded security maintenance (ESM). For more information, see Ubuntu 18.04 end of standard support.
4 SQL Server container images are supported only on Linux hosts running on Intel and AMD x86-64 CPUs. Emulation or translation environments (for example, Rosetta 2, Prism, or QEMU) aren't tested or supported. If you want to create a feature request, or report an emulator-related issue, visit the