SQL Server 2022 on Windows Server 2022

You get Microsoft SQL Server 2022 on Windows Server 2022 Datacenter, built from Microsoft's SQL Server 2022 images with the Windows and SQL Server security updates available at build time. Each plan installs the edition in its name: Standard or Enterprise. At first boot the VM makes the administrator you chose at deployment a SQL Server sysadmin (full administrative rights) and confirms it worked.

Who it's for

• DBAs and platform teams running SQL Server on Azure VMs they control
• Application teams that need SQL Server Standard or Enterprise without building and patching their own image
• Organizations that sign in with Windows accounts and want SQL logins off by default

What's included

• SQL Server 2022 Standard Edition (Standard plan) or Enterprise Edition (Enterprise plan), default instance MSSQLSERVER
• Windows Server 2022 Datacenter, Gen2
• Windows cumulative updates plus SQL Server updates from Microsoft Update, installed when each image version is built
• A one-time first-boot task (DCA-SQL-FirstBoot) that configures SQL Server for your VM

After you deploy

• Connect with Remote Desktop (RDP, port 3389) as the administrator you set in the portal.
• First boot gives that account a Windows-authentication sysadmin login, corrects the server name after deployment, and sizes SQL Server for your VM: max server memory at 75% of RAM, one tempdb data file per vCPU up to 8, and MAXDOP (parallel query limit) per Microsoft's guidance. First boot runs once, so revisit these settings if you resize the VM later.
• Secure defaults: Windows authentication only, the sa login disabled, xp_cmdshell (runs operating-system commands) and similar features off, failed logins audited.
• Setup is marked complete only after the login is confirmed as sysadmin on the running engine. Log: C:\ProgramData\DCA\sql-firstboot.log.
• For remote clients, allow TCP 1433 from your application subnet in Windows Firewall and in your Azure network security group (NSG).

Why this image

• Plan name and installed edition match, checked on deployed test VMs
• No SQL Server password set or stored in the image; build scripts removed before capture
• Patched at build time, including SQL Server's own updates
• Removes the manual post-deployment work of granting your admin a SQL login and tuning tempdb and memory

How it runs on Azure

A virtual machine in your own subscription and virtual network (VNet). Requirement: a Generation 2 VM size. Supports Trusted Launch (Secure Boot and a virtual TPM). Charges are pay-as-you-go on your Azure invoice; see Plans + Pricing for each plan.

Support: Get started with the setup guide at www.dcassociatesgroup.com/support/sql2022-win2022/. Microsoft, Windows Server and SQL Server are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.