MSSQL in Docker

Set up Docker

See https://hub.docker.com/r/microsoft/mssql-server-linux/

Then,

docker pull microsoft/mssql-server-linux:latest
docker run -e 'ACCEPT_EULA=Y' -e 'SA_PASSWORD=yourStrong(!)Password' -p 1433:1433 -d microsoft/mssql-server-linux

Management

You still need a Windows desktop to manage the server, but you download SQL Server Management Studio for free from here.

Of course you have to make sure port 1433 on the server instance is accessible from the desktop. I suggest setting up a VPN tunnel.