How to Install MySQL on Alibaba Cloud's Linux Server

How to Install MySQL on a Linux Server on Alibaba Cloud

In today's rapidly developing cloud computing technology, more and more enterprises and individuals are choosing the services provided by Alibaba Cloud to deploy their business systems. The Linux operating system, due to its stability and security, has become the first choice for many developers and enterprises. When you need to set up a database environment on your Linux server on Alibaba Cloud, MySQL is a very common choice. This article will provide a detailed introduction on how to install and configure MySQL on your Linux server on Alibaba Cloud, along with some practical tips and precautions.

First, ensure that your Alibaba Cloud server has been successfully created and can be accessed normally. Log in to your Alibaba Cloud console and check if the basic configuration of the server meets your needs. Typically, it is recommended to use Ubuntu or CentOS as the operating system because these two systems have good support for MySQL.

Next, connect to your Linux server via an SSH tool such as PuTTY. If you're not familiar with SSH connections, you can refer to the documentation provided by Alibaba Cloud, which details how to use an SSH client for remote connections. After successfully connecting, update the system's package manager first. For Debian-based systems like Ubuntu, run the following commands

```bash

sudo apt update

sudo apt upgrade

```

For RedHat-based systems like CentOS, execute the following command

```bash

sudo yum update

```

After completing the system updates, you can proceed with installing MySQL. On Ubuntu systems, MySQL can be installed directly using the APT package manager. Enter the following command

```bash

sudo apt install mysql-server

```

During the installation process, you may be prompted to set the root user password. This is a very important step, so please make sure to set a strong password and keep it safe. After installation, you can check the status of the MySQL service using the following command

```bash

sudo systemctl status mysql.service

```

If it shows as active running, this means the MySQL service has been successfully started.

For CentOS users, you can use the YUM package manager to install MySQL. Run the following command

```bash

sudo yum install mysql-server

```

After installation, you also need to start the MySQL service

```bash

sudo systemctl start mysqld

```

To enhance security, it is recommended to run the MySQL security script, which will help you remove anonymous users, disable remote root login, etc. In Ubuntu systems, you can run

```bash

sudo mysql_secure_installation

```

And in CentOS systems, it is

```bash

sudousr/bin/mysql_secure_installation

```

This script will guide you through a series of security setup steps.

After installing MySQL, you may also need to configure MySQL to suit specific application scenarios. For example, if you plan to store large amounts of data in MySQL, adjusting buffer sizes and log file paths is essential. This can be achieved by editing the MySQL configuration file. The location of the configuration file varies depending on the operating system. On Ubuntu, it is located at `/etc/mysql/mysql.conf.d/mysqld.cnf`, while on CentOS it is `/etc/my.cnf`. After making changes, remember to restart the MySQL service for the changes to take effect

```bash

sudo systemctl restart mysql.service

```

Considering network security issues, it is recommended to configure firewall rules to restrict external access to the default MySQL port 3306. You can use tools like iptables or firewalld to set rules. For example, use firewalld commands to allow local access

```bash

sudo firewall-cmd -add-port=3306/tcp -permanent

sudo firewall-cmd -reload

```

Finally, to facilitate managing and monitoring MySQL instances, consider installing graphical management tools such as phpMyAdmin or Navicat. These tools not only provide friendly interfaces but also support complex query operations and performance optimization suggestions.

In summary, installing MySQL on a Linux server on Alibaba Cloud is not complicated; just follow the above steps to complete it smoothly. Throughout the process, maintaining good habits, such as regularly backing up data, monitoring server status, and promptly updating patches, is crucial for ensuring the long-term stable operation of the database system. It is hoped that this article can provide valuable references and help you successfully build your own MySQL environment.