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Working with MSSQL

In this hands-on lab, we have been tasked with installing and configuring an MSSQL Express server on CentOS 7. Once this is done, we will set up the server instance for use by the development teams.

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Path Info

Level
Clock icon Intermediate
Duration
Clock icon 1h 0m
Last updated
Clock icon Aug 30, 2025

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Table of Contents

  1. Challenge

    Install the express version of MSSQL and the necessary tools onto the provided CentOS 7 server.

    1. Add the repo for the mssql-server and install:
    sudo curl -o /etc/yum.repos.d/mssql-server.repo https://packages.microsoft.com/config/rhel/7/mssql-server-2017.repo

    sudo yum install -y mssql-server
    1. Run the configuration and select the Express edition:
    sudo /opt/mssql/bin/mssql-conf setup
    1. Add the repo for the mssql-tools and install:
    sudo curl -o /etc/yum.repos.d/msprod.repo https://packages.microsoft.com/config/rhel/7/prod.repo

    sudo yum install -y mssql-tools unixODBC-devel
    1. Export the tools path:
    export PATH=$PATH:/opt/mssql-tools/bin

  2. Challenge

    Restore the Adventure Works database and validate that "Kevin Perry" is a contact.

    1. Download the backup:
    wget https://github.com/Microsoft/sql-server-samples/releases/download/adventureworks/AdventureWorksDW2017.bak
    1. Copy it to /var/opt/mssql:
    sudo cp AdventureWorksDW2017.bak /var/opt/mssql
    1. Connect to the instance with SQLCMD using the password you specified.
    sqlcmd -S localhost -U SA -P 'YourAwesomePassword!'
    1. Restore the database:
    restore database AdventureWorksDW2017
from disk = '/var/opt/mssql/AdventureWorksDW2017.bak'
with move 'AdventureWorksDW2017' to '/var/opt/mssql/data/AdventureWorksDW2017.mdf',
move 'AdventureWorksDW2017_log' to '/var/opt/mssql/data/AdventureWorksDW2017.ldf'
GO
    1. Validate that "Kevin Perry" is in 'Contacts':
    use AdventureWorksDW2017

    select FirstName,LastName from DimCustomer where FirstName='Kevin' AND LastName='Perry'
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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.

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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.

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