Step-by-Step Guide to Installing MySQL 5.5 on FreeBSD 9.2

MySQL is a widely used open-source database management system. In this guide, you will learn how to install MySQL 5.5 on the FreeBSD 9.2 operating system step by step. Since we will use FreeBSD's ports system for the installation, by the end of this guide, you will also learn how to configure MySQL 5.5 and make security adjustments.

Preparing for MySQL 5.5 Installation on FreeBSD 9.2

Before starting the MySQL 5.5 installation on FreeBSD 9.2, you need to ensure your system is up to date. To do this, you need to update all the packages on your system. Log in as root and run the following commands in the terminal:

freebsd-update fetch
freebsd-update install
pkg update
pkg upgrade

These steps will ensure that all the existing packages and the operating system are updated. After the updates are completed, we can begin the installation of MySQL 5.5 using the FreeBSD ports system.

Installing Required Packages and Dependencies

Some essential packages and dependencies must be installed on your system for MySQL 5.5 to work properly. These packages are necessary to compile MySQL from source. You can install these packages using the following commands in the terminal:

pkg install wget
pkg install gcc
pkg install cmake
pkg install bison

Once these packages are installed, you will have the necessary tools to download and compile the MySQL source code. Now, we can use FreeBSD's ports system to install MySQL 5.5.

Installing MySQL 5.5 Using the FreeBSD Ports System

FreeBSD's ports system allows software to be installed by compiling from the source code. To install MySQL 5.5, follow the steps below using the ports system:

cd /usr/ports/databases/mysql55-server
make install clean

These commands will download and compile the MySQL 5.5 source code and then clean up the system. Depending on your system's specifications, this step may take some time. After the installation is complete, you must ensure that MySQL 5.5 is running properly.

Configuring and Starting MySQL 5.5

Once the installation is complete, you need to configure and start MySQL 5.5. First, create a configuration file to adjust the MySQL server's startup settings:

cp /usr/local/share/mysql/my-small.cnf /usr/local/etc/mysql/my.cnf

After making the necessary changes in this file, use the following command to start the MySQL service:

service mysql-server start

To make MySQL start automatically on boot, add it to the system startup configuration:

echo 'mysql_enable="YES"' >> /etc/rc.conf

Now, the MySQL server will start automatically on system boot. Next, we need to configure the security settings.

Post-Installation MySQL 5.5 Security Settings and Testing

After the installation of MySQL, you should configure the security by setting the root user password and removing unnecessary user accounts and databases. To do this, run the security script with the following command:

/usr/local/bin/mysql_secure_installation

The script will prompt you to set the root user password, remove anonymous users, disable remote root access, and remove the test database. After completing these steps, you can test the MySQL installation by attempting to connect to the database with the following command:

mysql -u root -p

This command will allow you to log in to the MySQL database as the root user. After entering your password, if you can successfully connect to the database, you have successfully completed the installation and configuration process.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why should I use MySQL 5.5 on FreeBSD 9.2?
  MySQL 5.5 is a stable and widely used database management system. It can be easily installed on FreeBSD and offers great performance.
• Is configuring MySQL 5.5 difficult?
  No, configuring MySQL 5.5 is quite simple. After installation, you can edit the configuration file to make basic settings.
• Do I need to run the security script?
  Yes, the security script is important to ensure the security of your MySQL server. You should run this script to change the default settings and take necessary security precautions.
• Can I replace MySQL 5.5 with another version?
  Yes, you can install and use different versions of MySQL through the FreeBSD ports system. However, keep in mind that each version may have different features and requirements.