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How to Set up SQL Server 2019 on AWS

Published: December 1, 2025 (Updated: Dec 1, 2025)

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SQL Server 2019 on AWS EC2: The Essential Guide (Since It’s Not on RDS Yet!)

Welcome to Darren’s Tech Tutorials! I’m Jerry O’Neill, and today we are tackling a crucial setup for developers and data professionals: installing SQL Server 2019 Standard Edition on Amazon Web Services (AWS).

If you’ve tried to set up SQL Server 2019 recently, you’ll have quickly noticed a significant constraint: this version is not yet available on AWS RDS (Relational Database Service). But don’t worry! We can easily get it running on an EC2 instance. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process, ensuring you have a production-ready SQL environment set up quickly and securely.

Why Use EC2 for SQL Server 2019?

Typically, AWS RDS is the preferred choice for managed databases. However, since AWS has not yet integrated SQL Server 2019 into its RDS offerings, the only way to deploy this specific version is by selecting a pre-configured Microsoft Windows Server AMI that includes SQL Server 2019 Standard. This gives us full control over the instance while guaranteeing the required software is ready to go.

Step 1: Launching the EC2 Instance

To begin, ensure you are logged into your AWS Management Console.

  1. Navigate to EC2: Click on the EC2 service to load the dashboard.
  2. Launch Instance: Click the Launch instance button.
  3. Search the AMI Catalog: In the search bar, type SQL Server 2019.
  4. Select the AMI: We are looking for the image that specifies the Standard edition. Select the following image (or its nearest equivalent):
    • Microsoft Windows Server 2019 with SQL Server 2019 Standard

Step 2: Configuring Instance Details and Storage

Once you have selected the appropriate AMI, you will configure the hardware specifications and networking settings.

  1. Choose Instance Type: You will be limited to instance types that support the licensing. For testing or basic usage, select a cost-effective option like t3a.X large (or similar). Click Next: Configure Instance Details.
  2. Configure Network Settings:
    • Ensure your instance is launched in the correct VPC and subnet.
    • Crucially, verify that Auto-assign Public IP is set to Enable (or Use Subnet Setting if your subnet defaults to enabled). This allows us to connect externally via RDP later.
  3. Add Storage: Click Next: Add Storage.
    • The default 50 GB should be sufficient for a test or small environment. Adjust this if necessary.
  4. Add Tags (Naming): Click Next: Add Tags.
    • It is best practice to give your instance a clear name. Use the Key Name and give it a Value like SQL-Server-2019-Test.

Step 3: Setting Up Security Groups and Key Pairs

Security is paramount. We will restrict access only to the necessary ports and source IPs.

  1. Configure Security Group: Click Next: Configure Security Group.
  2. Create a New Security Group: Give the group a meaningful name, such as SQL Home Access.
  3. Lock Down Ports: We need two main ports open for initial access:
    • RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol): Port 3389 (Standard port for Windows Server access).
    • SQL Server (MSSQL): Port 1433 (Standard port for SQL connections).
    • Source Restriction: For enhanced security, change the Source for both ports from 0.0.0.0/0 (Anywhere) to My IP. This locks down access only to your current machine’s public IP address.
  4. Launch the Instance: Click Review and Launch, verify your settings, and click Launch.
  5. Key Pair Selection: A window will prompt you for a key pair.
    • If you have an existing key pair, choose it.
    • If you do not have one, select Create a new key pair, give it a name (e.g., darren-sql-key), and download the .pem file. This key is essential for generating your Windows password.

The instance will now begin the launch process. It may take a few minutes for the status to change from “pending” to “running” and for the system checks to complete.

Step 4: Connecting via Remote Desktop (RDP)

Once the instance is running, we need to generate the administrative password to log in.

  1. Retrieve Public IP: Go back to the EC2 Dashboard, select your new SQL Server instance, and note its Public IPv4 address (e.g., 18.185.92.227).
  2. Get Windows Password:
    • Right-click on your running instance.
    • Select Security > Get Windows password.
    • Click Browse and locate the private key file (.pem) you used during the launch process.
    • Click Decrypt Password. Copy the resulting long password—you will need this in the next step.
  3. Connect using RDP:
    • Open your Remote Desktop Connection application (RDP client).
    • Enter the Public IP address of your EC2 instance.
    • When prompted for credentials:
      • Username: Administrator
      • Password: Paste the decrypted password from Step 2.
  4. Login: Click OK. Accept any certificate warnings. The Windows Server 2019 desktop will now load.

Step 5: Verifying SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)

Once logged into the server, we must confirm that SQL Server 2019 Standard is fully operational.

  1. Locate SSMS: The AMI pre-installs Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS). Look for it in the Start menu or desktop shortcuts.
  2. Connect: Open SSMS. Since we are already logged into the server where the SQL instance resides, the default settings for connecting to the local database engine should work.
  3. Click Connect.

If the connection is successful, you will see the database structure, confirming that SQL Server 2019 Standard Edition is fully installed and ready for use on your AWS EC2 instance!

Conclusion

Congratulations! You successfully deployed and connected to SQL Server 2019 Standard Edition on an AWS EC2 instance. By following these steps, you’ve smoothly bypassed the current limitation of RDS, giving you the control and version you need for your projects.

If you found this guide useful and were able to get your SQL Server up and running, please let us know in the comments below! Don’t forget to like this post and subscribe to Darren’s Tech Tutorials for more clear, accessible technology guides. Happy database building!