Windows Server 2019 with SQL Server 2019

This comprehensive guide covers all steps to launch and verify your SQL Server 2019 instance on Windows Server 2019.

Overview: This AMI provides a pre-configured Windows Server 2019 environment with SQL Server 2019 Standard Edition, ready for immediate database operations.

Step 1: Launch EC2 Instance

  1. Navigate to the Gigabits SQL Server 2019 AMI
  2. Click “Continue to Subscribe”
  3. Accept the terms and click “Continue to Configuration”
  4. Select your preferred AWS region
  5. Click “Continue to Launch”

Recommended Configuration

  • Instance Type: t3.medium or higher
  • Storage: Minimum 50 GiB
  • Security Group: Port 3389 (RDP), Port 1433 (SQL Server)

Step 2: Connect to Your Instance

Using Remote Desktop Connection (RDP)

  1. Wait for instance to reach running state
  2. Select your instance in EC2 console
  3. Click Connect → RDP client
  4. Click Get Password
  5. Upload your private key and decrypt
  6. Download RDP file or note connection details
  7. Open Remote Desktop Connection

Computer: Your instance public IP
Username: Administrator
Password: Decrypted password from step 5

Step 3: Verify SQL Server Installation

Once connected to your Windows Server, verify SQL Server is properly installed using any of these methods:

Method 1: SQL Server Configuration Manager

  1. Click Start button or press Windows key
  2. Search for SQL Server 2019 Configuration Manager
  3. Open the application
  4. Navigate to SQL Server Services
  5. Verify services are running
SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER) – Status: Running
SQL Server Configuration Manager - Services View

Method 2: Services Management

  1. Press Windows + R to open Run dialog
  2. Type services.msc and press Enter
  3. Look for SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER) in the services list
  4. Verify the status shows Running
Windows Services - SQL Server Running Status

Method 3: Check Installed Programs

  1. Open Control Panel
  2. Navigate to Programs → Programs and Features
  3. Look for Microsoft SQL Server 2019 in the installed programs list
Programs and Features - SQL Server 2019 Installation

⚠️ Security Recommendation: When enabling remote connections, ensure that only known and trusted source IP addresses are allowed to access the SQL Server instance. Configure your Security Group rules to restrict access to specific IP ranges.