How to Install and Configure MariaDB on Debian

Edited 4 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

DebianMariaDBDatabaseServer SetupSQLLinuxOpen SourceSystem AdministrationCLISoftware

MariaDB is a popular open-source relational database management system that is a part of MySQL. It is widely used due to its better performance, security features, and compatibility with MySQL. In this long tutorial, we will learn how to install and configure MariaDB on a Debian-based system. The following topics will be covered:

• Introduction to MariaDB
• Prerequisites
• Installing MariaDB
• Basic configuration
• Securing MariaDB
• Creating a database and user
• Conclusion

Introduction to MariaDB

MariaDB is a community-developed, commercially supported fork of the MySQL relational database management system. It is intended to remain free under the GNU General Public License (GPL). Being essentially a MySQL fork, MariaDB maintains its compatibility with MySQL and adds new features, improves performance, and fixes bugs. It is a robust, reliable, and completely open-source database technology that attracts a large user community.

Prerequisites

Before we begin the installation and configuration of MariaDB on Debian, there are a few prerequisites that need to be taken care of:

• System running on Debian 9 or newer.
• Access to a user account with sudo privileges.
• A stable internet connection.

Make sure all the packages on your system are updated. Run the following command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Installing MariaDB

The installation process of MariaDB on Debian can be completed using the APT package management tool. Here is how you can install it:

Step 1: Adding the MariaDB repository

MariaDB packages are built into the official repositories for most Linux distributions. However, to get the latest version, or to have more control over which version to install, it is recommended to add the official MariaDB repository.

Open the MariaDB repository configuration page, and find the repository setup for your Debian version here: https://downloads.mariadb.org/mariadb/repositories/

Depending on your Debian system version, run the command to add the repository. For example, for Debian 10:

sudo apt install software-properties-common dirmngr -y sudo apt-key adv --recv-keys --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com 0xF1656F24C74CD1D8 sudo add-apt-repository 'deb [arch=amd64] http://mariadb.mirror.globo.tech/repo/10.5/debian buster main'

Step 2: Installing MariaDB Server and Client

After adding the repository, update your package database:

sudo apt update

Install the MariaDB server and client using the following commands:

sudo apt install mariadb-server mariadb-client -y

The MariaDB service will start automatically after installation. Verify it as follows:

sudo systemctl status mariadb

Basic configuration

Once MariaDB is installed, some basic configuration steps are recommended.

Step 1: Securing the MariaDB Installation

MariaDB comes with a built-in security script that makes it easy to tweak security settings. Run the following command:

sudo mysql_secure_installation

This script will modify the less secure default options. It will prompt you to set the root password, remove anonymous users, disallow remote root logins, and remove the test database. Answer yes to each step unless you have a specific reason to keep a particular setting.

Step 2: Accessing MariaDB

To interact with MariaDB, enter the MariaDB shell by running the following:

sudo mariadb

You will see the MariaDB shell interface where you can run SQL queries and commands.

Securing MariaDB

Even though we run secure installation scripts, it is always good to understand and ensure additional security settings that can be adjusted manually.

Open the MariaDB server configuration file:

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

Within this file, you can configure many important security settings, including file permissions, port and socket setup, etc.

• Disable remote root login: Ensuring that the root user can only log in from localhost prevents outsiders from accessing the root account. Add or uncomment this line to the file:

bind-address = 127.0.0.1

• Set the port: Change the default port if you need a custom configuration. Identify the [mysqld] section and modify the port:

port = 3306

Save and exit the file after making the changes. Restart the MariaDB service to apply the modifications:

sudo systemctl restart mariadb

Creating a database and user

To start using MariaDB for your development or production, you need a database and a user configured with specific privileges. Follow these steps to set it up:

Step 1: Access the MariaDB Shell

Login to the MariaDB shell using the following command:

sudo mariadb

Step 2: Create a new database

To create a new database, run the following command, replacing my_database with your desired database name:

CREATE DATABASE my_database;

Ensure creation by listing the available databases:

SHOW DATABASES;

Step 3: Create a new user

Create a new user to handle this database. Use the command below and replace my_user and password123 with your preferred username and password:

CREATE USER 'my_user'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'password123';

Step 4: Grant privileges

Grant the necessary privileges to your newly created user. The command below grants all privileges on the database to the user for localhost:

GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON my_database.* TO 'my_user'@'localhost';

Flush the privileges to make sure the new user and privilege settings are loaded properly:

FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

Exit the MariaDB shell by typing the following:

EXIT;

Conclusion

By following the steps outlined in this comprehensive guide, you have successfully installed and configured MariaDB on your Debian system. You have also secured the installation, created the database, and set up a new user with appropriate privileges. MariaDB is now ready for your use, whether as a backend for personal projects, a web server, or applications. With regular updates and community support, MariaDB remains a valuable addition to any data-driven suite.

Continue to stay informed about the latest updates and practices in database management to get the most out of your MariaDB setup.

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