How to install MariaDB on AlmaLinux 9

Installing MariaDB on AlmaLinux 9 takes just a few minutes. This guide walks you through the process, step by step:

1. Update AlmaLinux 9

2. Set up the repository

3. Install and start MariaDB

4. Secure the installation

5. Create a database and user account

Why combine MariaDB with AlmaLinux 9?

MariaDB is a widely used, high-performance open-source database. It is based on MySQL but includes additional features and is trusted in many enterprise environments. AlmaLinux 9 is a free, binary-compatible alternative to RHEL. Together, they are an excellent option for developers, small businesses and administrators looking for a stable, secure, license-free server platform.

What requirements does my setup need to meet?

Before you begin, make sure your setup meets the following requirements:

• A system with AlmaLinux 9 pre-installed
• Root access or a user account with sudo privileges
• Internet connection for package downloads
• Terminal access via console or SSH

How to install MariaDB on AlmaLinux 9

Here’s how to install MariaDB on AlmaLinux 9step by step. If you want to run MariaDB on a different distribution, such as RHEL or Ubuntu 24.04, we recommend looking at our other tutorials.

Step 1: Update the system

Before installing new software, always make sure your system is up to date. This helps prevent version conflicts and strengthens security.

Open a terminal and run the following:

sudo dnf update -y

This command updates all installed packages to the latest version. If the kernel or core components are updated, restart the system:

sudo reboot

Step 2: Set up the MariaDB repository

The MariaDB version included in the default AlmaLinux repositories may be outdated. To install the current stable release, configure the official AlmaLinux 9 MariaDB repository.

Create a new file:

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

Insert the following content:

# MariaDB 11.7 AlmaLinux 9 Repository
[mariadb]
name = MariaDB
baseurl = https://mirror.23m.com/mariadb/yum/11.7/almalinux/$releasever/$basearch
module_hotfixes = 1
gpgkey = https://mirror.23m.com/mariadb/yum/RPM-GPG-KEY-MariaDB
gpgcheck = 1

Save the file and close with :wq. Then refresh the package sources so that the new repository is taken into account:

sudo dnf clean all
sudo dnf makecache

This ensures the package manager uses the latest information from the MariaDB repository.

Step 3: Install MariaDB

Now install the database server with:

sudo dnf install mariadb-server -y

The system will download and install all required packages. The -y flag automatically confirms prompts in advance.

Step 4: Start and enable the service

After the installation is complete, start the MariaDB service:

sudo systemctl start mariadb

Enable it to start automatically at system startup:

sudo systemctl enable mariadb

Check its status:

sudo systemctl status mariadb

The service should now be active and running. If so, you can move on to the configuration.

<box-note>

If SELinux is enabled (default in AlmaLinux 9), it might block external database connections. Allow network access by using the command sudo setsebool -P mysqld_can_network_connect 1. If you use your own data directory, set the correct context with sudo semanage fcontext -a -t mysqld_db_t “/data/mysql(/.*)?”. Then apply the rule with sudo restorecon -Rv /data/mysql.

</box-note>

Step 5: Secure MariaDB

MariaDB provides a built-in security script. To run it, use:

sudo mariadb_secure_installation

You will then be asked whether you want to:

• Set a root password (if not already set)
• Remove anonymous users: Yes
• Disable root login over the network: Yes
• Delete the test database: Yes
• Reload privileges: Yes

These steps strengthen the security of your installation.

Step 6: Create a user and database

Next, create a database and a user account with the required privileges. To do this, first log in to the AlmaLinux 9 MariaDB console:

sudo mariadb -u root -p

Enter the root password you set earlier. You should then see the MariaDB prompt:

MariaDB [(none)]>

Create a new database, for example:

CREATE DATABASE db_name;

Then, create a new user and set a secure password:

CREATE USER 'dbuser'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'safepassword';

Grant this user full privileges on the database you created earlier:

GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON db_name.* TO 'dbuser'@'localhost';

Finally, reload the privileges:

FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

Exit the MariaDB console:

EXIT;