Are you building a LAMP stack on your VPS running AlmaLinux 8? One of the most critical components you’ll need is a fast, secure, and reliable database system. Enter MariaDB — a robust, open-source replacement for MySQL that integrates seamlessly into your LAMP environment.

In this article, we’ll walk you through how to install and secure MariaDB on your AlmaLinux 8 VPS. Whether you’re deploying a WordPress site, an e-commerce platform, or a custom application, this guide is designed to get your database layer up and running quickly.

Why Choose MariaDB?

MariaDB is a drop-in replacement for MySQL, meaning it offers the same functionality but with enhanced performance, scalability, and security. It’s actively maintained by a community of developers and is trusted by major companies around the world.

Here are just a few reasons why you should consider using MariaDB:

• Faster query execution and improved performance
• Active community support and frequent updates
• Fully compatible with MySQL applications and commands
• Support for multiple storage engines
• Advanced replication and clustering features
• Smaller memory footprint for better resource management
  With that in mind, let’s dive into the installation process.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure the following:

• You have a VPS with AlmaLinux 8 installed
• SSH access to your server (root privileges)
• Internet connectivity
• An SSH client like Bitvise or PuTTY
  If you haven’t ordered a VPS yet, check out our guide on how to order and access your RackNerd VPS.

Step-by-Step: Install MariaDB on AlmaLinux 8

Follow the steps below using your terminal or SSH console.

Step 1: Update Your System Packages

Keeping your system up to date is a good security practice. Start by running:

dnf update -y

This ensures that you’re working with the latest software and security patches.

Step 2: Install MariaDB Server

Now, let’s install the MariaDB server package. Run:

dnf install mariadb-server -y

This command installs the MariaDB server along with its dependencies.

Step 3: Start and Enable MariaDB Service

To make sure MariaDB runs immediately and also starts on every system reboot, enter the following command:

systemctl start mariadb && systemctl enable mariadb

Step 4: Secure MariaDB Installation

Next, we’ll use a built-in script to enhance the security of our MariaDB instance. This will help us remove anonymous users, restrict root access, and set a secure root password. Run:

mysql_secure_installation

You’ll be prompted to:

• Set a root password
  
  
  
  
• Remove anonymous users
• Disallow root login remotely
• Remove test database
  
  
  
• Reload privilege tables.  Answer “Y” to most prompts for a secure setup.
  
  

Step 5: Test the Installation

To verify that MariaDB is working, try logging into the MariaDB shell using the root account:

mysql -u root -p

Enter the password you created during the secure installation process. If successful, you’ll be greeted with the MariaDB command-line interface.

Congratulations! You’ve now successfully installed and configured MariaDB on your AlmaLinux 8 VPS.

What’s Next?

Now that MariaDB is up and running, you’re ready to:

• Install PHP to complete your LAMP stack
• Set up Apache (if you haven’t already)
• Create databases for your web applications
• Secure and optimize your database settings

 If you haven’t installed Apache yet, we have a complete Apache installation tutorial available on our YouTube channel.

RackNerd VPS Hosting for LAMP Stacks

At RackNerd, our high-performance VPS hosting plans are perfect for developers, webmasters, and businesses building out LAMP-based environments. All our VPS plans come with:

• Full root access
• Multiple operating system choices including AlmaLinux
• SSD RAID-10 storage
• 1Gbps network port speeds
• 24×7 support with rapid response times

Whether you’re running a personal blog or a production-grade application, our infrastructure ensures speed, security, and reliability. Visit RackNerd.com to explore your options and find the right plan for your project.

Conclusion

Installing MariaDB on AlmaLinux 8 is a straightforward process and an essential part of setting up a LAMP stack. With your database now in place, you’re well on your way to deploying powerful web applications and websites.

Need help or have questions? Our support team is available 24/7 — just open a ticket or use Live Chat on our website.

Ready to power your projects with fast, secure hosting? Order a VPS from RackNerd today.

How to Install MariaDB for Your LAMP Stack on AlmaLinux 8 Video Tutorial: