Microsoft Previews SQL Server ODBC Driver for Linux

Microsoft has posted a preview release of its new SQL Server ODBC Driver for Linux, which enables access to Microsoft SQL Server databases from Linux operating systems. This driver is a port of Microsoft's existing enterprise-class ODBC for Windows driver, known as SQL Server Native Client (SNAC), to the Linux platform.

The SQL Server ODBC Driver for Linux supports 64-bit C and C++ applications running on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5 and connects to SQL Server 2008 R2 and SQL Server 2012. According to Microsoft, "for customers who want to move from Sybase to SQL Server, the SQL Server ODBC Driver for Linux allows C and C++ code to continue running in Linux environments."

Key features of the SQL Server ODBC Driver for Linux include:

  • Support for the Kerberos network authentication protocol;
  • Support for SSL encryption and authentication;
  • Support for client-side UTF-8 character encoding;
  • BCP utility for bulk-copying data between an instance of Microsoft SQL Server and a data file; and
  • SQLCMD utility for entering Transact-SQL statements, system procedures, and script files at the command prompt.

Future versions of the SQL Server ODBC Driver for Linux may support other variants of Unix, including SUSE, Solaris, and HP-UX. Planned features for future releases include 32-bit support, support for connections to SQL Azure, and support for SQL Server 2012 AlwaysOn features.

The preview release of the SQL Server ODBC Driver for Linux is available for download now from the Microsoft Download Center. Additional information can be found in the MSDN Library.

About the Author

Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • teenager’s study desk with a laptop displaying an AI symbol, surrounded by books, headphones, a notebook, and a cup of colorful pencils

    Student AI Use on the Rise, Survey Finds

    Ninety-three percent of students across the United States have used AI at least once or twice for school-related purposes, according to the latest AI in Education report from Microsoft.

  • horizontal stack of U.S. dollar bills breaking in half

    ED Abruptly Cancels ESSER Funding Extensions

    The Department of Education has moved to close the door on COVID relief funding for schools, declaring that "extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department’s priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion."

  • school building protected by a glowing blue shield with circuit patterns, blocking red-orange cyber threat icons

    Establishing a Proactive Defense Against Evolving Cyber Threats

    Here are six good starting points for K-12 districts that want to improve their cybersecurity mitigation strategies and take a more proactive approach to mitigating risk.

  • geometric pattern of mathematical symbols and hardcover books

    Virginia Approves Savvas Math Programs for Statewide Adoption

    The Virginia Board of Education has approved Savvas Learning Company's line of enVision K-12 math programs for statewide adoption across all grade levels.