How to Install MariaDB on Ubuntu 20.04

MariaDB is an opensource relational database server. Which is made by the original developers of MySQL. MariaDB intended to maintain high compatibility with the MySQL server, APIs and commands.

This tutorial will help you to install Mariadb database server on your Ubuntu 20.04 LTS system.

Prerequisites

• Running Ubuntu 20.04 system
• Login access with root or sudo privileged account

Step 1 – Setup Repository

The Default packages repositories contains old versions of Mariadb server. So, it will be good to use official repository, which provides latest version of packages.

First, add the package signing key to your system by running commands:

sudo apt install software-properties-common
sudo apt-key adv --fetch-keys 'https://mariadb.org/mariadb_release_signing_key.asc'

Then, create a apt configuration file on your Ubuntu system. To create file run command:

sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mariadb.list

Add below content to file.

# MariaDB 10.4 Repository
deb [arch=amd64] http://nyc2.mirrors.digitalocean.com/mariadb/repo/10.4/ubuntu focal main
deb-src http://nyc2.mirrors.digitalocean.com/mariadb/repo/10.4/ubuntu focal main

Save file and close.

Step 2 – Install MariaDB on Ubuntu

The official MariaDB repository contains latest version of MariaDB server packages.

Once you added the package repository, run the following commands to install MariaDB server packages and required dependencies.

sudo apt update
sudo apt install mariadb-server

The above command will install Mariadb server, client tools and other required packages on your system.

Step 3 – Post Installation Setup

MariaDB package provides a command line utility to complete post installation steps. Which includes to configure password for root user and removing unnecessary database from default installation.

To run the MariaDB post installation wizard, type:

sudo mysql_secure_installation

A wizard will prompt for some inputs to setup MaraiDB root user password. Secure your MariaDB installation by removing anonymous users, disable root login from remote host and remove test databases.

A preferred choice is to say yes (‘y’) for all the question:

• Enter current password for root (enter for none): [ JUST PRESS ENTER ]
• Set root password? [Y/n] y
• New password: [ ENTER A SECURE PASSWORD ]
• Re-enter new password: [ CONFIRM YOUR PASSWORD ]
• Remove anonymous users? [Y/n] y
• Disallow root login remotely? [Y/n] y
• Remove test database and access to it? [Y/n] y
• Reload privilege tables now? [Y/n] y

Step 4 – Connect to MariaDB

MaraiDB packages provides an command line utility to connect database server via command line. Where you can completely manage your database server.

To connect MariaDB server run below command on terminal:

mysql -u root -p

Enter the password for root account configured in above step.

Enter password:
Welcome to the MariaDB monitor.  Commands end with ; or \g.
Your MariaDB connection id is 57
Server version: 10.4.13-MariaDB-1:10.4.13+maria~focal-log mariadb.org binary distribution

Copyright (c) 2000, 2018, Oracle, MariaDB Corporation Ab and others.

Type 'help;' or '\h' for help. Type '\c' to clear the current input statement.

MariaDB [(none)]>

Step 5 – Manage Mariadb Service

The latest version of Ubuntu systems uses systemd to manage services. You can use the following commands manage Mariadb service on your system.

sudo systemctl start mariadb         # To start service 
sudo systemctl stop mariadb          # To stop service 
sudo systemctl status mariadb        # To check status of service 
sudo systemctl restart mariadb       # To stop and then start service 

Step 6 – Create Database and User (Optional)

This is optional step for you. The below commands help you to create a database, a user and assign privilege to user on database.

To use below commands, first, you must be connected to the MariaDB server via command line.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you have learned about to install MariaDB on Ubuntu Linux system. Next, you can install phpMyAdmin to administer MySQL server via web based interface.