Microsoft has recently unveiled the preview for SQL Server 2025, marking significant improvements for developers and IT teams. This Release Candidate 0 (RC0) version introduces support for Ubuntu 24.04, as well as the default implementation of TLS 1.3—two critical enhancements in the latest update.
Ubuntu 24.04 Support
For the first time, SQL Server 2025 can operate on Ubuntu 24.04, particularly beneficial for development and testing environments. Microsoft is offering an Enterprise Evaluation Edition with a 180-day validity, allowing users to explore the new database engine on the most recent LTS release. However, it’s important to note that production environments are still advised to use SQL Server 2022 on Ubuntu 22.04 or RHEL 9 for critical workloads.
Enhanced Security with TLS 1.3
A significant advancement in security comes with the adoption of TLS 1.3, which is now enabled by default in the SQL Server 2025 Preview. This update ensures faster connection handshakes, improved encryption standards, and enhanced compliance, catering to organizations prioritizing data protection. Microsoft has released updated documentation to assist users in validating secure connections through this new standard.
Simplified Deployment via Containers
Deploying the SQL Server 2025 preview is straightforward. With just a few Docker commands, testers can easily set up SQL Server 2025 RC0 on Ubuntu 24.04 within Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2). After deployment, users can connect to the server using SQL Server Management Studio and verify the version through the container’s ERRORLOG. This approach demonstrates Microsoft’s intent to facilitate a smoother transition for developers into Linux environments.
Availability and Community Feedback
The SQL Server 2025 Preview is currently available, and Microsoft is encouraging user feedback in anticipation of the final release slated for 2025. For those interested in experimenting with the preview, quickstart guides are accessible on Microsoft Learn. Until full certification is achieved for Ubuntu 24.04, it is prudent to rely on SQL Server 2022 for production tasks.
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