Linux Platform: How to Download and Install MySQL: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

MySQL, one of the most widely used relational database management systems (RDBMS), is renowned for its robustness, speed, and versatility. It is particularly favored for its open-source nature, making it a popular choice for developers and businesses alike. If you’re new to Linux and looking to install MySQL, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process, from downloading to configuration, ensuring you have a fully functional MySQL setup.

Pre-Installation Requirements

Before diving into the installation process, it’s crucial to ensure that your system meets the necessary requirements:

• Operating System: A compatible Linux distribution such as Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, or Fedora.
• Sufficient Disk Space: Ensure that you have adequate disk space to install MySQL and accommodate your databases.
• Root or Sudo Access: Administrative privileges are required to install and configure MySQL.

Step 1: Update Your Package Index

Start by updating your package index to ensure that you have the latest information about the available packages:

sudo apt-get update

This command fetches the package lists from the repositories and updates them to get information on the newest versions of packages and their dependencies.

Step 2: Install MySQL Server

The installation process differs slightly depending on your Linux distribution. Below are the instructions for some of the most common distributions.

For Ubuntu/Debian:

1. Download and Install the MySQL APT Repository

Visit the MySQL APT Repository page and download the appropriate package for your system. You can use wget to download it directly:

wget https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.22-1_all.deb

2. Install the APT Repository Package:

sudo dpkg -i mysql-apt-config_0.8.22-1_all.deb

During this step, you’ll be prompted to select the MySQL version you want to install. Choose the latest stable release.

3. Update the Package Database:

sudo apt-get update

4. Install MySQL Server:

sudo apt-get install mysql-server

Follow the prompts to configure the MySQL root password and other settings.

For CentOS/RHEL:

1. Add the MySQL Yum Repository:

Visit the MySQL Yum Repository page and download the repository package. Use wget for direct download:

wget https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql80-community-release-el7-3.noarch.rpm

2. Install the Repository Package:

sudo rpm -ivh mysql80-community-release-el7-3.noarch.rpm

3. Install MySQL Server:

sudo yum install mysql-server

This command installs MySQL and starts the server.

Step 3: Start and Secure MySQL

Once MySQL is installed, start the MySQL service and secure the installation.

Start MySQL Service:

sudo systemctl start mysqld

Enable MySQL to Start on Boot:

sudo systemctl enable mysqld

Secure MySQL Installation:

MySQL includes a security script to help you secure your installation. Run the following command:

sudo mysql_secure_installation

You’ll be prompted to set a root password, remove anonymous users, disallow root login remotely, remove test databases, and reload privilege tables. Answer each prompt appropriately to enhance your MySQL server’s security.

Step 4: Verify MySQL Installation

To verify that MySQL is installed correctly and running, you can check the status of the MySQL service:

sudo systemctl status mysqld

You should see output indicating that MySQL is active and running.

Step 5: Basic MySQL Configuration

Log into MySQL:

To start using MySQL, log in as the root user:

sudo mysql -u root -p

You’ll be prompted to enter the root password you set during the installation process.

Create a New Database:

CREATE DATABASE mydatabase;

Create a New User and Grant Permissions:

CREATE USER 'myuser'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'mypassword'; 
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON mydatabase.* TO 'myuser'@'localhost'; FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

Exit MySQL:

EXIT;

Step 6: Configuring MySQL for Remote Access (Optional)

By default, MySQL is configured to listen only on localhost for security reasons. If you need to allow remote access, you’ll need to modify the MySQL configuration file.

Edit the MySQL Configuration File:

Open the MySQL configuration file in a text editor:

sudo nano /etc/mysql/mysql.conf.d/mysqld.cnf    # For Ubuntu/Debian 
sudo nano /etc/my.cnf    # For CentOS/RHEL

Locate the line:

bind-address = 127.0.0.1

Change it to:

bind-address = 0.0.0.0

Save and close the file.

Restart MySQL Service:

sudo systemctl restart mysqld

Update Firewall Rules:

Ensure your firewall allows traffic on MySQL’s port (default is 3306):

sudo ufw allow 3306/tcp

Step 7: Backup and Maintenance

Regular backups and maintenance are crucial to ensure data integrity and performance.

Backup Databases:

You can use mysqldump to back up your databases:

mysqldump -u root -p mydatabase > mydatabase_backup.sql

Schedule Regular Backups:

Consider scheduling regular backups using cron jobs. Open the cron table for editing:

crontab -e

Add a cron job for daily backups:

0 2 * * * mysqldump -u root -p'mypassword' mydatabase > /path/to/backup/mydatabase_backup.sql

Conclusion

Installing MySQL on a Linux platform is a straightforward process if you follow the right steps. From updating your package index to configuring security and optimizing performance, each step ensures that your MySQL server is set up correctly and securely. By understanding how to download, install, and configure MySQL, you empower yourself to leverage this powerful RDBMS for various applications, from simple web applications to complex enterprise solutions. As you become more familiar with MySQL, you can explore advanced configurations and optimizations to further enhance your database performance and security.