Because SQL Server 2017 runs on Windows, Linux, and Docker containers, you can deploy your application on the platform of your choice, or on a combination of platforms that makes the most sense for your business.
Benefits of SQL Server with Linux support include:
- The platform is easily integrated with existing open source platforms.
- SQL Server with Linux supports an extended range of platforms on which to develop applications.
- Integration with Microsoft Active Directory is seamless, providing better and integrated control over security by using a single security platform for both Windows and Linux. You can use Active Directory authentication to centralize the identities of database users and other services in one location. In this manner, you can simplify permission management and avoid storing passwords.
- Using the same set of tools (SQL Server Management Studio) for both Linux and Windows reduces the cost of ownership by eliminating the need for additional hardware and software licenses.
- By not choosing a traditional Linux database, you can save three to six months of learning curve and gain strong security and reliability.
- Migrating data from Windows SQL Server to Linux is as simple as a backup and restore operation.
- Unlike MySQL and MariaDB, installation of third-party tools is not required.
- All enterprise-level features, such as data compression, column store, partitioning, high availability, and DR are included, so your organization can provide robust, data-driven applications to customers for a fraction of the cost of the competition.
- The installation process offers a native Linux experience for users through package-based installation methods such as Yum, apt-get, and RPM.
- Containers enable you to quickly deploy multiple database instances: First, make a copy of data and log files, then launch a new container and attach volumes to it.
- With support for Windows and Linux containers, SQL Server can run in container orchestration solutions such as Docker Swarm, Red Hat Open Shift, Mesosphere DC/OS, and Kubernetes.
The total cost of ownership is lower than that of other Linux-based enterprise databases.