How to Install MariaDB on Ubuntu

MariaDB is a popular open-source relational database management system that is a fork of MySQL. It is widely used for its reliability, performance, and open-source nature. This guide will walk you through the steps to install MariaDB on an Ubuntu system.

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Prerequisites

Before proceeding with the installation, ensure the following:

1. You have access to an Ubuntu server or desktop with sudo privileges.
2. Your system is updated. Run the following command to update all packages:

   sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

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Step 1: Install MariaDB

MariaDB is included in the default Ubuntu repositories, making installation straightforward. Follow these steps:

1. Install the MariaDB Server and Client:
   Run the following command to install MariaDB:

   sudo apt install mariadb-server mariadb-client -y

2. Verify the Installation:
   After the installation is complete, you can verify it by checking the MariaDB version:

   mariadb --version

This will output the installed version number of MariaDB.

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Step 2: Secure the MariaDB Installation

MariaDB includes a security script to help you secure your installation by setting a root password, removing test databases, and disabling anonymous users.

1. Run the following command:

   sudo mysql_secure_installation

2. You will be prompted to configure several options:

• Set the root password (if not already set).
• Remove anonymous users.
• Disallow remote root login.
• Remove the test database.
• Reload privilege tables. Respond to each prompt as needed to secure your installation.

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Step 3: Start and Enable MariaDB Service

Ensure that the MariaDB service is running and set to start on boot.

1. Start the MariaDB service:

   sudo systemctl start mariadb

2. Enable the service to start on boot:

   sudo systemctl enable mariadb

3. Check the service status:

   sudo systemctl status mariadb

The output should show that the service is active and running.

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Step 4: Test MariaDB

To confirm that MariaDB is working as expected, log in to the MariaDB shell.

1. Log in using the following command:

   sudo mysql

2. If successful, you’ll see the MariaDB prompt. Run basic SQL commands to verify functionality, such as:

   SHOW DATABASES;

3. Exit the MariaDB shell by typing:

   EXIT;

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Optional: Configure Remote Access

If you need to allow remote access to the MariaDB server, follow these steps:

1. Open the MariaDB configuration file:

   sudo nano /etc/mysql/mariadb.conf.d/50-server.cnf

2. Locate the line that starts with bind-address and change it from 127.0.0.1 to 0.0.0.0:

   bind-address = 0.0.0.0

3. Save and close the file, then restart MariaDB:

   sudo systemctl restart mariadb

4. Update the firewall rules to allow traffic on the MariaDB port (3306 by default):

   sudo ufw allow 3306

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Conclusion

You have successfully installed and configured MariaDB on your Ubuntu system. Whether you’re using it for personal projects or production environments, MariaDB provides a robust and efficient solution for managing your databases. If you plan on using it in production, consider additional hardening steps to enhance security.