How to Self-Host SQL Server in PostgreSQL

What does “self-host SQL Server” mean?

Self-hosting places Microsoft SQL Server on your own machine or server—no Azure or AWS required. You control versions, patches, and data residency.

What are the prerequisites?

Install Docker 24+, psql 15+, and your favorite SQL editor. Allocate ≥4 GB RAM and open port 1433.

How do I start a local SQL Server container?

Run the Docker command in the Syntax section. It pulls the 2022 image, accepts the EULA, exposes port 1433, and persists data in a named volume.

How do I create ecommerce tables in SQL Server?

Connect with sqlcmd or Azure Data Studio and execute T-SQL:

CREATE DATABASE shop;
GO
USE shop;
CREATE TABLE Customers(id INT PRIMARY KEY, name NVARCHAR(50), email NVARCHAR(80), created_at DATETIME);
CREATE TABLE Orders(id INT PRIMARY KEY, customer_id INT, order_date DATETIME, total_amount DECIMAL(10,2));
CREATE TABLE Products(id INT PRIMARY KEY, name NVARCHAR(60), price DECIMAL(10,2), stock INT);
CREATE TABLE OrderItems(id INT PRIMARY KEY, order_id INT, product_id INT, quantity INT);

How do I connect PostgreSQL to SQL Server with tds_fdw?

Install tds_fdw, then run:

CREATE EXTENSION IF NOT EXISTS tds_fdw;
CREATE SERVER mssql_srv FOREIGN DATA WRAPPER tds_fdw OPTIONS (servername 'localhost', port '1433', database 'shop');
CREATE USER MAPPING FOR postgres SERVER mssql_srv OPTIONS (username 'sa', password 'Str0ngPass!');
IMPORT FOREIGN SCHEMA dbo LIMIT TO (Customers, Orders, Products, OrderItems) FROM SERVER mssql_srv INTO public;

How can I query SQL Server data from PostgreSQL?

Once foreign tables exist, reference them like local tables:

SELECT c.name, SUM(o.total_amount) AS lifetime_value
FROM Customers c
JOIN Orders o ON o.customer_id = c.id
GROUP BY c.name
ORDER BY lifetime_value DESC;

Best practices for self-hosting SQL Server

Use strong SA passwords, enable automatic backups via --mount, monitor container logs, and schedule OS-level updates.

Common mistakes and fixes

See the section below for quick remedies.