Ensuring Compatibility of MySQL 14.14 with RHEL 8.x

Problem

The client was planning an upgrade of the MySQL database server from Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 7.x to RHEL 8.x. The MySQL version currently running on the server was 14.14 (Distrib 5.7.34). The client needed to understand the compatibility of this MySQL version with RHEL 8.x and sought guidance on any additional steps required before and after the upgrade to ensure a smooth transition.

Process

To address the client’s concerns, the compatibility of MySQL 14.14 with RHEL 8.x was thoroughly evaluated. The MySQL Supported Platform table, available on MySQL’s official website, was consulted to verify whether the existing MySQL version (5.7.34) was supported on RHEL 8.x. The investigation revealed that MySQL version 5.7.34, under “mysql Ver 14.14 Distrib 5.7.34,” was not supported when used with RHEL 8.x.

Solution

• Upgrade Recommendation: It was advised to upgrade MySQL to a version supported by RHEL 8.x, such as MySQL 8.0 or 8.1, to ensure compatibility and gain access to the latest features and security updates.
• Backup: Performing a full backup of the MySQL database was recommended to safeguard data during the upgrade process.
• Test Environment: Setting up a test environment to validate the new MySQL version on RHEL 8.x before applying changes to the production server was suggested.
• Configuration Adjustments: Updating configuration files to meet the requirements of MySQL 8.0 or 8.1 was advised.
• Post-Upgrade Validation: Testing the upgraded system to ensure that all services functioned correctly and performance benchmarks were met was recommended.

Conclusion

The recommendations provided a clear path for upgrading MySQL to ensure compatibility with RHEL 8.x. Following these steps allowed for a smooth transition to the new operating system while maintaining database stability and security.