Install and Configure MySQL on a Linux Server

Step 1: Update Your System

Open a terminal. Run these commands:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Step 2: Install MySQL

Install MySQL server with:

sudo apt install mysql-server

Step 3: Secure MySQL Installation

Run the security script:

sudo mysql_secure_installation

Follow the prompts to set a root password, remove anonymous users, disallow root login remotely, remove the test database, and reload privilege tables.

Step 4: Start MySQL Service

Ensure MySQL is running:

sudo systemctl start mysql
sudo systemctl enable mysql

Step 5: Log into MySQL

Access the MySQL shell:

sudo mysql -u root -p

Enter your root password when prompted.

Step 6: Create a New Database

In the MySQL shell, create a database:

CREATE DATABASE mydatabase;

Step 7: Create a New User

Create a user and grant privileges:

CREATE USER 'myuser'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'mypassword';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON mydatabase.* TO 'myuser'@'localhost';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

Step 8: Exit MySQL

Type:

EXIT;

Step 9: Configure Remote Access (Optional)

To allow remote access, edit the MySQL configuration file:

sudo nano /etc/mysql/mysql.conf.d/mysqld.cnf

Find the line:

bind-address = 127.0.0.1

Change it to:

bind-address = 0.0.0.0

Restart MySQL:

sudo systemctl restart mysql

Step 10: Adjust Firewall (Optional)

If using UFW, allow MySQL:

sudo ufw allow mysql

MySQL is now installed and configured on your Linux server.