How To Install MySQL 8.0 on CentOS 7/6

MySQL, a robust and widely-used open-source relational database management system, is a cornerstone for many applications, particularly those involving web services. This comprehensive guide will help you install MySQL 8.0 on CentOS 7 or CentOS 6, ensuring a successful setup for your development or production environment.

Prerequisites

• A CentOS 7 or CentOS 6 server
• Root or sudo privileges
• Basic familiarity with Linux terminal commands

Step 1: System Update

Keeping your system updated is crucial for security and compatibility. Begin by updating your system’s packages:

sudo yum update 

This command refreshes your package index and updates all your system packages to their latest versions.

Step 2: Adding MySQL Repository

MySQL 8.0 is not available in CentOS’s default package repositories. You need to add MySQL’s official repository to get the latest version:

1. Download and install the MySQL repository package:

   CentOS 7:

   sudo rpm -Uvh https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql80-community-release-el7-10.noarch.rpm  
   

   CentOS 6:

   sudo rpm -Uvh https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql80-community-release-el6-10.noarch.rpm 
   

2. Enable the MySQL 8.0 repository:

   sudo yum-config-manager --enable mysql80-community 
   

   This step ensures that the MySQL 8.0 repository is active.

Step 3: Installing MySQL Server

1. Install MySQL:

   sudo yum install mysql-community-server 
   

   This command installs MySQL along with any necessary dependencies.

2. Start the MySQL service:

   sudo systemctl start mysqld 
   

   This command initiates the MySQL server.

3. Enable automatic startup of MySQL on boot:

   sudo systemctl enable mysqld 
   

   Enabling MySQL to start at boot ensures that the database server is automatically started after a system reboot.

Step 4: Securing MySQL Installation

MySQL’s default settings are not optimized for security. The mysql_secure_installation script helps in securing your MySQL server.

1. Run the security script:

   sudo mysql_secure_installation 
   

   Set up security options:

   1. You’ll be prompted to create a root password. Choose a strong, secure password.
   2. Remove anonymous users to prevent unauthorized access.
   3. Disallow root login remotely for additional security.
   4. Remove the test database, which is accessible by default to any user.

Step 5: MySQL Configuration

1. Accessing MySQL: Log in to the MySQL shell:

   mysql -u root -p 
   

   Enter your root password when prompted.

2. Editing MySQL Configuration File: The main configuration file for MySQL is /etc/my.cnf. Edit this file to change server settings:

   sudo nano /etc/my.cnf 
   

   For example, to set the default character set, add the following under the [mysqld] section:

   
   [mysqld]
   character-set-server=utf8mb4
   
   

3. Restart MySQL: Apply your changes by restarting the MySQL service:

   sudo systemctl restart mysqld 
   

Step 6: Verifying MySQL Installation

Ensure that the MySQL service is running smoothly:

sudo systemctl status mysqld 

You can also test the setup by creating a new database or user.

Conclusion

Your CentOS 7 or 6 system now has MySQL 8.0 installed and secured. This installation forms the backbone for many applications requiring database management.

Additional Recommendations:

• Regularly back up your MySQL databases to avoid data loss.
• Monitor the performance and logs of MySQL to identify and resolve issues promptly.
• Stay updated on MySQL releases and security patches.

By following this guide, you’ve laid a solid foundation for using MySQL in your applications, empowering you to manage data effectively and securely.