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Using Windock's Docker SQL Containers to deliver multiple SQL Server Environment(s) in seconds on a single machine
by BF (Principal Consultant; Architecture; Engineering)
2018-01-28








With Windock's Docker, we are able to spin up complete SQL Server Environments in seconds for our Development, Testing & Business Teams. The build process starts with the creation of a docker image and this is defined with a dockerfile and it can include numerous databases and T-SQL scripts. Once that first docker image is created you are able to create clones in less that a minute! This is all possible with their use of virtual differential disk technology. Add in Powershell and have a fully automated build process preparing environments for on-demand use.


A few highlights:
- Writeable clones of terabyte databases in seconds
- Windocks SQL Server containers are small in size (100MB) and take about 30 seconds to run
- Windocks SQL Server containers are available on Windows Server 2012 R2 and Server 2016 for SQL Server 2008, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2017 (all editions: Standard, Enterprise, Express and Developer)
- Simplify VMs, Licensing, and Support to a Single Machine
- Windocks containers achieve a 5:1 savings compared with using VMs


Use Cases:

QA Teams:
- QA Testers can spin up isolated SQL Server containers with a fresh databases in each container all on one machine in a few seconds.
- Each tester can run their own tests on their individual databases. After a tester finishes testing once and has altered the database, he or she may want a fresh copy of the database again. Using Windocks, the tester can spin up another SQL Server container with a fresh database in seconds.

Developers:
- Developers can spin up SQL Server containers with Production Database copies to test their code before deployment into their Production Environment.

Reporting:
- Business Teams with a requirement for Production data can execute reports in an isolated Environment while not affecting performance on Production Systems.

Disaster Recovery Testing:
- IT Teams can quickly setup D.R. Environments in seconds to run their Business Continuity Plans. Windocks Cloning Technology allows for fast, repeatable D.R. testing to allow IT to close any gaps discovered in DR Testing.






Resources:

Video: Windocks SQL Server Cloning intro