Deploying a SQL Server VM in Azure

Libraries: If you want this lab, consider one of these libraries.
Cloud

Deploying a SQL Server VM in Azure

Starting with SQL Server 2017, we can run Microsoft's enterprise-grade RDBMS on Linux. Combined with the power of the Azure Marketplace, this gives us the ability to quickly spin up database infrastructure in a minimal amount of time. In this hands-on lab, we quickly meet business demands for database infrastructure by utilizing images in the Azure Marketplace.

Get started Contact sales

Lab Info

Level

Intermediate

Last updated

Sep 21, 2025

Duration

30m

Challenge

Log In to the Azure Portal

Log in to the Azure Portal using the provided credentials.
Challenge

Create a SQL Server on Linux VM from the Azure Marketplace
- On the home page, click Create a resource.
- Search for "SQL Server 2017" and hit enter.
- Filter the search by the criteria Operating system -> Redhat and Publisher -> Microsoft.
- Click on Free SQL Server License: SQL Server 2017 Developer on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.4 (RHEL).
- Click Create.
- Select the resource group created by the lab.
- Provide a Virtual machine name.
- Click Change size under Size.
- Choose "See all sizes" and scroll down to the B2s row and select it.
- Choose Password for the Authentication type, then provide a Username and Password.
- Click Allow selected ports.
- Select SSH (22).
- Click Review + create.
- Verify everything looks good and click Create.
- Once the deployment is complete, click Go to resource.
Challenge

Connect to the VM
- On the resource page, click Connect at the top.
- Use the provided information to SSH to the server.
Challenge

Change the SA Password
- Stop the mssql-server service. sudo systemctl stop mssql-server
- Change the SA password. sudo /opt/mssql/bin/mssql-conf set-sa-password
- Restart the mssql-server service. sudo systemctl start mssql-server
Challenge

Allow Incoming Connections
If we'd like outside applications to connect to our database, we must follow these steps.
- On our resource page, click Networking in the left pane.
- Click Add inbound port rule.
- Leave all of the defaults, but change Destination port ranges to "1433".
- Change Name to "Port_1433".
- Click Add.
Use the following commands to open the firewall port on the VM.
```
sudo firewall-cmd --zone=public --add-port=1433/tcp --permanent
sudo firewall-cmd --reload
```
Success! We've created a SQL Server backend that the development team can utilize with minimal time and configuration!

About the author

Pluralsight Skills

Pluralsight Skills gives leaders confidence they have the skills needed to execute technology strategy. Technology teams can benchmark expertise across roles, speed up release cycles and build reliable, secure products. By leveraging our expert content, skill assessments and one-of-a-kind analytics, keep up with the pace of change, put the right people on the right projects and boost productivity. It's the most effective path to developing tech skills at scale.

Real skill practice before real-world application

Hands-on Labs are real environments created by industry experts to help you learn. These environments help you gain knowledge and experience, practice without compromising your system, test without risk, destroy without fear, and let you learn from your mistakes. Hands-on Labs: practice your skills before delivering in the real world.

Learn by doing

Engage hands-on with the tools and technologies you’re learning. You pick the skill, we provide the credentials and environment.

Follow your guide

All labs have detailed instructions and objectives, guiding you through the learning process and ensuring you understand every step.

Turn time into mastery

On average, you retain 75% more of your learning if you take time to practice. Hands-on labs set you up for success to make those skills stick.