Install MySQL on Ubuntu

Introduction

This Quickstart guide explains how to install MySQL on a Vultr Ubuntu cloud server. The guide applies to Ubuntu 16.04 through Ubuntu 20.10 LTS.

1. Deploy Ubuntu Server

• Deploy a new Ubuntu Vultr cloud server instance.

• Follow our best practices guides:

  • Create a sudo user.

  • Update the Ubuntu server.

Change to your sudo user for the remaining steps.

2. Install MySQL

1. Install MySQL.

   $ sudo apt install mysql-server -y
   

2. Enable MySQL to start on boot.

   $ sudo systemctl enable mysql
   

3. Secure the database. Answer all the security questions as shown.

   $ sudo mysql_secure_installation
   

   • Initially, there is no password for root. Press ENTER.

     Enter current password for root (enter for none):
     

   • Press ENTER to enter a new password.

     Set root password? [Y/n]
     

   • Enter and confirm a root password for MySQL.

     New password:
     
     Re-enter new password:
     
     Password updated successfully!
     

   • Press ENTER to remove the anonymous user.

     Remove anonymous users? [Y/n]
     

   • Press ENTER to disallow remote root logins.

     Disallow root login remotely? [Y/n]
     

   • Press ENTER to remove the test database.

     Remove test database and access to it? [Y/n]
     

   • Press ENTER to reload the privilege tables.

     Reload privilege tables now? [Y/n]
     

   This completes the basic security configuration.

3. Test

1. Connect to the database as root.

   # mysql -u root -p -h localhost
   

2. Create a test user.

   > CREATE USER 'test_user'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'test_pass';
   

3. Create a test database.

   > CREATE DATABASE test_database;
   

4. Grant the test user privileges on the test database.

   > GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON test_database.* TO 'test_user'@'localhost';
   

5. Exit the database client.

   > quit
   

Conclusion

You have successfully installed MySQL on a Vultr Ubuntu cloud server. For more information, see the official MySQL documentation.