This post lists all the supported SQL server versions for SCCM (ConfigMgr) current branch. SQL Server is necessary to host the site database when installing SCCM, and most importantly, the SQL Server version should be supported by Configuration Manager.
Update: Starting with version 2609, Configuration Manager no longer supports SQL Server 2016 (Standard, Enterprise, and Express editions). Plan to upgrade all database servers to SQL Server 2017 (Cumulative Update 2 or later).
When installing a new instance of ConfigMgr in your setup, it’s important to verify the supported SQL Server versions for SCCM. Opting for the latest version of SQL Server is highly recommended, as it ensures stability and improved performance.
With the release of the Configuration Manager current branch, many organizations are planning to upgrade SCCM 2012/2012 R2 to the latest CB version. One significant aspect during the ConfigMgr upgrade is determining whether the installed SQL server version is compatible or not. To determine which version of ConfigMgr you can upgrade to, it is crucial to review the SCCM in-place upgrade paths.
Site databases always use a full SQL install when it comes to CAS and primary sites. The SQL database server could be on a local server computer or on a remote computer. For SCCM secondary sites, the site database can use a default instance of a full installation of SQL Server or SQL Server Express. However, SQL Server cannot be remote in this case. It should be on the site server computer.
SCCM Configurations Required for SQL Server
Listing some important configurations required for all SQL server installs for SCCM.
- Configuration Manager requires a 64-bit version of SQL Server to host the site database.
- While installing SQL Server for SCCM, the site database must use the following Database collation: SQL_Latin1_General_CP1_CI_AS.
- Only the Database Engine Services feature is required for each site server.
- SCCM requires Windows authentication to validate connections to the database.
- Take a look at SQL Server Memory Configurations.
- SQL Server ports: The Intersite communications use the SQL Server Service Broker, which uses port TCP 4022 by default. And the intrasite communications between the database engine and various ConfigMgr site system roles use port TCP 1433 by default.
Supported SQL Server versions for SCCM
The below table lists all the supported SQL Server versions for SCCM.
| Supported SQL Server Versions for SCCM | CAS Site | Primary Site | Secondary Site |
|---|---|---|---|
| SQL Server 2025 (Standard, Enterprise) | YES | YES | YES |
| SQL Server 2022 (Standard, Enterprise) | YES | YES | YES |
| SQL Server 2019 (Standard, Enterprise) with cumulative update 5 or higher | YES | YES | YES |
| SQL Server 2017 (Standard, Enterprise) with cumulative update 2 or higher | YES | YES | YES |
| SQL Server 2016 Express | NO | NO | NO |
| SQL Server 2016 (Standard, Enterprise) | NO | NO | NO |
| SQL Server 2014 SP2 (Standard, Enterprise) | NO | NO | NO |
| SQL Server 2014 SP1 (Standard, Enterprise) | NO | NO | NO |
| SQL Server 2014 Express SP2 | NO | NO | NO |
| SQL Server 2014 Express SP1 | NO | NO | NO |
| SQL Server 2012 SP3 (Standard, Enterprise) | NO | NO | NO |
| SQL Server 2012 SP2 (Standard, Enterprise) | NO | NO | NO |
| SQL Server 2012 Express SP3 | NO | NO | NO |
| SQL Server 2012 Express SP2 | NO | NO | NO |
| SQL Server 2008 R2 SP3 (Standard, Enterprise) | NO | NO | NO |
Supported SQL Server versions for secondary sites
The below table lists all the supported SQL Server versions for the Configuration Manager current branch versions.
| SQL Version | Minimum Required Update | Supported Site Types | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SQL Server 2025 Express | RTM | Secondary | Support added in version 2603. CU must be supported by SQL lifecycle. |
| SQL Server 2022 Express | RTM | Secondary | Shipped with version 2509. Support for SQL 2022 Compatibility Level (160) added in version 2603. |
| SQL Server 2019 Express | Cumulative Update 5 (CU5) or later | Secondary | CU5 is the minimum requirement as it resolves an issue with scalar UDF inlining. CU must be supported by SQL lifecycle. |
| SQL Server 2017 Express | Cumulative Update 2 (CU2) or later | Secondary | CU must be supported by SQL lifecycle. |
| Deprecated | Secondary | Deprecated in version 2609. SQL Server 2016 extended support ended July 2026. | |
| Deprecated | Secondary | Deprecated in version 2409. SQL 2014 support ended July 2024. |
Please mention for SQL 2022: Starting with current branch 2303, support is added for SQL server 2022 with Compatibility Level/Cardinality Estimation set to 150 on the Configuration Manager database. SQL 2022 native (160) is not currently supported.
I am trying to find what the maximum number of hosts should be for local SQL install on the MECM server? At what size should a dedicated SQL Server be used? When your environment has 25k hosts? 50k hosts?
Thanks
Can we use SQL 2019 Developer edition for Pre-prod SCCM environment instead of SQL 2019 enterprise/Standard editions.
hi,
What about SQL 2019?
Was really hoping to see Azure SQL Managed instance support 🙁
Hi Prajwal,
I am currently using Configuration manager version 2012 SP2 and the database sql 2008 R2 (10.50.4042.0)
Now we are planning to migrate SQL server to a new server with a later version of SQL ( SQL 2017 server). Is this possible?
If not, which version of SQL DB i can install in new server.
Thank you,
SK
Good day Prajwal ,
May I know SCCM version 1802 can work with SQL 2014 ?
Thank you
Yes, but use SQL Server 2014 SP3 or latest service pack available for SQL 2014.
which sql reporting service suported to sccm 1702..
Hi prajwal
it is supported to have the database in version 2016 and the report instance in sql 2012
i dont find anything about that
thx
Hi Prajwal
it is supported to have the database in version 2016 and the report instance in sql 2012?
i dont find anything about that
thx
What about the developer version of SQL server 2017 will it work with SCCM
Hi Prajwal,
Since sccm 2016 comes with bundled licensing, it has sql2016 ent. license within it, can we deploy sql2016 on a different server instead of parent primary site server and still use that bundled license feature of sql on it.
Second, how do we achieve the sql High availability for sccm with bundled licensing.
Thanks,
HI, Will SQL 2012 Express SP2 CU5 work for CB 1706
Hi I currently have SCCM 2012 R2 SP1 Site Version 5.00.8239.1000 and a SQL Server 2008 R2 SP2. I would like to upgrade to CB 1606 but I’ve noticed that you need at least SQL Server 2008 R2 SP3. My question is, can I upgrade my sql box to SP3 and then upgrade to CB 1606? Or will this not work?
Thanks
Oscar
Will 1706 work with SQL 2012?
Hi Prajwal,
I have installed SCCM and the problem I’m having is the client install. I can not get it to install on a client workstation. I have tried to install it manually and from the SCCM server. I can see the ccmsetup.exe *32 in task manager on the Windows 7 64 bit workstation, but it doesn’t install the config manager client. Please Help. I don’t know if my distribution point is the issue or if it’s something else.
Did you examine the client installation log files ?. Log files should reveal the reason of failure.
HI, Will SQL 2012 Express CU2 Applied will work for CB 1606 ?
Yes it should support. (SQL Server 2012 Express SP2)
Which SQL server will be compatible with sccm 2207?