How to Connect AWS RDS MSSQL Server Using Azure Data Studio
By Braincuber Team
Published on April 10, 2026
Azure Data Studio is a free, cross-platform database management tool that works seamlessly with Microsoft SQL Server. Whether you are managing on-premises databases or cloud-hosted instances, Azure Data Studio provides a lightweight, modern interface for running queries, managing databases, and administering SQL Server environments. This complete tutorial walks you through setting up an AWS RDS MSSQL Server instance and connecting it to Azure Data Studio.
What You'll Learn:
- How to create an AWS RDS MSSQL Server Express instance
- Step by step guide to configuring public access for your RDS
- Beginner guide to setting up inbound security group rules
- How to test your RDS connection from terminal
- Complete tutorial on installing and using Azure Data Studio
- How to connect and run queries against your cloud database
Prerequisites
Before starting this tutorial, ensure you have an AWS account and understand basic database concepts. We will be working with Amazon Relational Database Service (RDS) with MSSQL Server Express Edition as our database engine.
AWS Account
An active AWS account with access to the RDS service. The free tier is available for new accounts.
SQL Knowledge
Basic understanding of SQL queries and database concepts such as tables, rows, and columns.
Creating Your AWS RDS MSSQL Server Instance
The first step is to create a Microsoft SQL Server database instance using AWS RDS. Amazon RDS makes it easy to set up, operate, and scale a relational database in the cloud.
Sign in to AWS Console
Navigate to https://aws.amazon.com/console/ and sign into your AWS account using your credentials.
Create Database Instance
In the AWS RDS dashboard, locate the Create database section and click the Create database button to begin the setup wizard.
Choose Easy Create Method
Select Easy Create as your database creation method for a simplified setup process with default configurations.
Select Microsoft SQL Server Engine
Choose the Microsoft SQL Server icon as your engine type. This will use SQL Server as the database engine.
Select Free Tier
Select Free Tier for the DB instance size to avoid charges while learning. This provides 750 hours of db.t2.micro usage per month.
Configure Database Settings
Fill in the required configuration details:
- DB instance identifier: Choose a unique name like myrdstest
- Master username: Create an admin username
- Master password: Set a password (8-41 printable characters)
Create Database
Click Create database to provision your RDS instance. This may take a few minutes to complete. If you exit the page, you can find your database under RDS > Databases.
Note
Provisioning your RDS instance typically takes a couple of minutes. Be patient as AWS sets up the infrastructure for your database server.
Configuring Public Access for Your RDS Instance
For Azure Data Studio to connect to your RDS instance from your local machine, you need to enable public access. This allows the database to be accessible from outside the VPC.
Modify RDS Instance
In the RDS dashboard, select your database instance and click the Modify button to change its settings.
Enable Public Accessibility
Under Network & Security, find the Public Accessibility option and choose Yes to allow public internet access to your database.
Apply Changes
Select Apply immediately under Scheduling of modifications, then click Modify DB instance to save your changes.
Configuring Inbound Security Group Rules
Security groups act as a virtual firewall for your RDS instance. You need to add an inbound rule to allow connections from your IP address to the SQL Server port.
Access Security Group
Click on your VPC security groups link (e.g., default sg-0000d009) to access the security group settings for your RDS instance.
Edit Inbound Rules
Click the Inbound tab, then click Edit inbound rules to modify the security group rules.
Add MSSQL Rule
Click Add rule and configure: Type = MSSQL, Source = My IP (this will auto-detect your current IP address), then click Save rules.
Type = MSSQL (port 1433)
Protocol = TCP
Source = Your IP Address
Testing Your RDS Connection
Before connecting with Azure Data Studio, verify that your RDS instance is accessible from your network. Open your terminal and use the netcat (nc) command to test the connection.
Find RDS Endpoint and Port
In the RDS dashboard, find your database and note the Endpoint (e.g., myrdstest.blahblahblah.us-west-2.rds.amazonaws.com) and Port (default is 1433).
Test Connection with Netcat
Open your terminal and run the following command, replacing the endpoint and port with your values:
nc -zv myrdstest.blahblahblah.us-west-2.rds.amazonaws.com 1433
Troubleshooting
If you see a connection failed message, double-check that your RDS instance has Public Accessibility enabled and your inbound security group rules allow your IP address.
Installing Azure Data Studio
Azure Data Studio is a modern, cross-platform database management tool that works on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It provides a lightweight alternative to SQL Server Management Studio with features like IntelliSense, integrated terminals, and customizable dashboards.
Download Azure Data Studio
Visit the Azure Data Studio download page and download the installer for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
Install Azure Data Studio
On macOS: After downloading the zip file, double-click to extract it. Drag the Azure Data Studio.app file to your Applications folder to complete installation.
Launch Azure Data Studio
Open Azure Data Studio from your Applications folder (macOS) or Start menu (Windows). The application will launch with the welcome screen.
Connecting to Your AWS RDS SQL Server
Now that Azure Data Studio is installed, you can connect to your AWS RDS Microsoft SQL Server instance using the connection dialog.
Open New Connection Dialog
Click on the New Connection button in Azure Data Studio or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+N (Cmd+N on macOS) to open the connection dialog.
Enter Connection Details
Fill in the connection form with your AWS RDS details:
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Server Name | your-rds-endpoint,1433 |
| Authentication Type | SQL Login |
| User name | Your master username |
| Password | Your master password |
| Database Name | (Leave empty or select master) |
Custom Port
If you used a port other than the default 1433, click Advanced and enter the port in the Port field. Alternatively, append it to the server name with a comma: endpoint,1400
Connect to Database
Click Connect to establish the connection. If successful, you will see your server appear in the Server Groups sidebar. If you encounter an error, verify your security group settings and public access configuration.
Running Your First Query
Once connected to your AWS RDS MSSQL Server, you can start running SQL queries to interact with your database. Let us verify the connection by running a simple query to check the SQL Server version.
Open New Query Window
Click New Query in the toolbar or right-click on your connected server and select New Query to open a query editor window.
Enter SQL Query
Type the following SQL command in the query editor to check the SQL Server version:
SELECT @@VERSION
Execute Query
Click Run (or press F5) to execute the query. You should see the Microsoft SQL Server version information displayed in the Results panel.
Success
Congratulations! You have successfully connected your AWS RDS Microsoft SQL Server instance using Azure Data Studio. You can now create databases, run scripts, and perform other SQL Server management tasks.
Essential SQL Commands Reference
Here are some common SQL commands you can use in Azure Data Studio to manage your AWS RDS MSSQL Server database.
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
| SELECT @@VERSION | Check SQL Server version |
| SELECT GETDATE() | Get current date and time |
| CREATE DATABASE name | Create a new database |
| USE database_name | Switch to a database |
| CREATE TABLE name (...) | Create a new table |
| SELECT * FROM table | Query all rows from a table |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the default port for MSSQL Server in AWS RDS?
The default port for Microsoft SQL Server is 1433. If you need to use a different port, you can specify it when creating the RDS instance or modify it later.
How do I fix "Cannot connect to server" error in Azure Data Studio?
Verify three things: 1) Your RDS instance has Public Accessibility enabled, 2) Your VPC security group allows inbound traffic on port 1433 from your IP, and 3) Your instance is fully available (not still creating).
Is AWS RDS MSSQL Server free tier sufficient for learning?
Yes, the free tier provides 750 hours per month of db.t2.micro usage, which is enough for learning and development purposes. SQL Server Express edition is included in the free tier.
Can I use Azure Data Studio instead of SQL Server Management Studio?
Yes, Azure Data Studio is a modern alternative to SSMS that works cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux). It offers similar functionality with a lighter interface and is free to use.
How do I backup my RDS MSSQL database?
AWS RDS handles automatic backups by default. You can also use Azure Data Studio to create manual backups by right-clicking your database and selecting "Backup" or by running T-SQL BACKUP DATABASE commands.
Need Help with AWS RDS Setup?
Setting up cloud databases can be complex, especially when configuring security groups and network settings. We help businesses configure AWS RDS instances, set up secure connections, and manage their cloud database infrastructure.