Key Points
- SQL Server 2025 is now officially supported on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, enabling enterprises to deploy stable, mission-critical workloads.
- Users must update their repository from “preview” to production-ready to avoid unstable pre-release builds.
- New Linux-specific features like Dynamic Management Views (DMVs) improve database monitoring on Ubuntu.
Microsoft Brings SQL Server 2025 to Ubuntu 24.04 LTS for Enterprise Linux Users
Microsoft has announced the official release of SQL Server 2025 for Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, marking a major step forward for Linux-based enterprise workloads. This “General Availability” (GA) status means businesses can now confidently deploy mission-critical databases on Ubuntu’s latest Long-Term Support (LTS) release. For Ubuntu users and open-source advocates, this reinforces Linux as a trusted platform for high-stakes applications and strengthens collaboration between Microsoft and Canonical’s ecosystem.
Why This Matters for Ubuntu and Linux Users
The release is significant for several reasons. First, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS provides five years of security updates and predictable stability, making it ideal for businesses running SQL Server. Second, Microsoft’s continued investment in Linux tools signals growing enterprise demand for open-source infrastructure. Finally, Canonical’s partnership with Microsoft highlights Ubuntu’s role as a preferred Linux distribution for hybrid cloud and database environments.
Action Required for Preview Users
If you tested SQL Server 2025 during its preview phase, you must update your repository configuration immediately. Replace the preview repository (mssql-server-preview.repo) with the production-ready version (mssql-server-2025.repo). Failing to do this could result in installing unstable pre-release builds, which are not suitable for production systems.
Linux-Specific Enhancements in SQL Server 2025
The CU1 (Cumulative Update 1) release introduces optimizations tailored for Linux, including new Dynamic Management Views (DMVs). These tools give database administrators direct insights into server performance by exposing OS-level metrics like:
- CPU usage (
sys.dm_os_linux_cpu_stats) - Memory usage (
sys.dm_os_linux_sys_memory) - I/O performance (
sys.dm_os_linux_io_stats)
These DMVs simplify monitoring and troubleshooting for Ubuntu-based SQL Server deployments, reducing reliance on third-party tools.
A Win for Open Source and Hybrid Environments
Microsoft’s decision to prioritize Ubuntu support aligns with broader trends in enterprise IT. Companies increasingly adopt hybrid cloud setups where Linux servers power core databases while integrating with Windows-based tools. By optimizing SQL Server for Ubuntu, Microsoft ensures seamless compatibility for these environments and empowers organizations to leverage open-source efficiency without sacrificing enterprise-grade features.
For Canonical, this release further validates Ubuntu’s dominance in data centers and cloud platforms. As more proprietary software vendors embrace Ubuntu LTS, it cements Linux’s role as the backbone of modern IT infrastructure.
What to Do Next
If you manage SQL Server on Ubuntu, consult Microsoft’s documentation to migrate preview installations to the stable release. For teams evaluating database platforms, test SQL Server 2025 on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS to experience its improvements firsthand. Either way, this milestone reminds us that the future of enterprise computing is open, flexible, and cross-platform.
Will your organization adopt SQL Server on Ubuntu? Explore what this partnership means for your stack—and how open-source innovation continues to reshape enterprise tech.
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