---
title: How to Install MariaDB on Almalinux 8
description: "MariaDB is a popular open-source relational database management system, widely used as a drop-in replacement for MySQL. This guide will walk you through the steps to install MariaDB on AlmaLinux. This guide works on Almalinux 8. For Almalinux 9, please…"
url: "https://truehost.com/support/knowledge-base/how-to-install-mariadb-on-almalinux/"
updated: "2024-11-18"
category: Cloud servers in Kenya
---

# How to Install MariaDB on Almalinux 8

MariaDB is a popular open-source relational database management system, widely used as a drop-in replacement for MySQL. This guide will walk you through the steps to install MariaDB on AlmaLinux.

This guide works on Almalinux 8. For Almalinux 9, please see **[this guide](https://truehost.com/support/knowledge-base/how-to-install-mariadb-on-almalinux-9/)**.

### Prerequisites

- **AlmaLinux server**: A system running AlmaLinux 8.x or higher.
- **Root or Sudo privileges**: You need administrative access to install and configure MariaDB.
- **Internet access**: Ensure your server has internet connectivity to download the MariaDB packages.

##### **Step 1: SSH into your server using [these steps](https://truehost.com/support/knowledge-base/how-to-access-a-server-via-ssh-terminal/)**

##### **Step 2: Update Your System**

- Before installing any new software, it's always a good practice to update your package repository.

```
sudo dnf update -y
```

##### **Step 3 : Create a MariaDB Repository File**

- You need to manually create a MariaDB repository configuration file  with the name `mariadb.repo`, and you will crate it inside this directory /etc/yum.repos.d/
- Use the command below

```
vi /etc/yum.repos.d/mariadb.repo
```

![](https://truehost.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image-254.png)

- This command will create a new repository file, Once it is created, you need to add the following configuration in that file, then `Save` and `exit` file.

```
# MariaDB 10.11 RedHatEnterpriseLinux repository list - created 2024-10-11 12:35 EAT
# https://mariadb.org/download/
[mariadb]
name = MariaDB
# rpm.mariadb.org is a dynamic mirror if your preferred mirror goes offline. See https://mariadb.org/mirrorbits/ for details.
# baseurl = https://rpm.mariadb.org/10.11/rhel/$releasever/$basearch
baseurl = https://mirror.23m.com/mariadb/yum/10.11/rhel/$releasever/$basearch
module_hotfixes = 1
# gpgkey = https://rpm.mariadb.org/RPM-GPG-KEY-MariaDB
gpgkey = https://mirror.23m.com/mariadb/yum/RPM-GPG-KEY-MariaDB
gpgcheck = 1
```

![](https://truehost.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image-255.png)

##### **Step 3: Installing MariaDB Server**

- Runt the command below to install MariaDB

```
yum install MariaDB-server MariaDB-client
```

- You will be presented with a series of prompts. Respond with **y** to all.

![](https://truehost.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image-256.png)

![](https://truehost.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image-258.png)

![](https://truehost.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image-261.png)

- Once the installation process it complete, you can now check MariaDB version using this command below;

```
mysql -V
```

![](https://truehost.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image-262.png)

- You will now enable MariaDB to start automatically upon system boot, to start the MariaDB and to verify its status using the commands below.

```
systemctl enable mariadb

systemctl start mariadb

systemctl status mariadb
```

![](https://truehost.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image-263-1024x346.png)

**Step 4: Secure your MariaDB server**

You can secure your MariaDB installation by following these steps

- Start the MariaDB shell using the command below;

```
mysql
```

- Change the root user's password using the command below. Replace your_new_password with your actual new password. Keep the password for later use.

```
ALTER USER 'root'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'your_new_password';
```

![](https://truehost.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image-266.png)

- Disallow remote root login for user root. This ensures that the root user can only log in from the localhost:

```
DELETE FROM mysql.user WHERE User='root' AND Host NOT IN ('localhost', '127.0.0.1', '::1');
```

![](https://truehost.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image-267-1024x95.png)

- Remove the test database:

```
DROP DATABASE IF EXISTS test;
```

![](https://truehost.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image-268.png)

- Reload the privileges to apply the changes:

```
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
```

- Exit the MariaDB shell:

```
exit;
```

![](https://truehost.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image-270.png)

- You may now log in to MariaDB server using this command, then input the the password that you had set previously,

```
mysql -u root -p
```

**Step 5: Create new Database and User**

You will need to crate a database and a user that accesses it. Let's create a database called **truehost_db** and a user called **truehost_tke**

- First, log in as root user, using

```
mysql -u root -p
```

- Run the commands below to create the database, database user and to grant the use access to the database.
- Replace **truehost_db**, **truehost_tke** and **secretePasswordHere** with your actual database name, usernaem and password for the user

```
CREATE DATABASE truehost_db;

CREATE user truehost_tke;

GRANT ALL ON truehost_db.* TO truehost_tke@localhost IDENTIFIED BY 'secretePasswordHere';
```

![](https://truehost.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image-271.png)

- You can check available databases. You will see your new database among the available.

```
show databases;
```

![](https://truehost.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image-272.png)

**Step 6: Accessing the database**

- You can now access MariaDB with the newly created Database and User as shown below,

```
mysql -u truehost_tke -p'secretePasswordHere' truehost_db
```

![](https://truehost.com/support/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/image-273-1024x187.png)

You may now use your database as you intended; maybe to connect it to a website.