How To Install MySQL / MariaDB on CentOS 7

MariaDB is a drop-in replacement for MySQL. It is easy to install, offers many speed and performance improvements, and is easy to integrate into most MySQL deployments. Answers for compatibility questions can be found at: MariaDB versus MySQL – Compatibility. MariaDB offers more storage engines than MySQL, including Cassandra (NoSQL, in MariaDB Version 10), XtraDB (drop-in replacement for InnoDB), and OQGRAPH (in MariaDB Version 10).

Pre-Flight Check
  • These instructions are intended for installing MariaDB on a single CentOS 7 node.
  • I’ll be working from a Liquid Web Self Managed CentOS 7 server, and I’ll be logged in as root.

Install MariaDB

Installing MariaDB is as simple as running just one command:
yum -y install mariadb-server mariadb
And then start MySQL, now MariaDB:
systemctl start mariadb
Be sure that MySQL/MariaDB starts at boot:
systemctl enable mariadb
To check the status of MySQL/MariaDB:
systemctl status mariadb
To top MySQL/MariaDB:
systemctl stop mariadb
Check the installation with the command client:
mysql
Welcome to the MariaDB monitor. Commands end with ; or \g.
Your MariaDB connection id is 3
Server version: 5.5.40-MariaDB MariaDB Server
Copyright (c) 2000, 2014, Oracle, Monty Program Ab and others.
Type ‘help;’ or ‘\h’ for help. Type ‘\c’ to clear the current input statement.
MariaDB [(none)]>