For system administrators and web developers, MariaDB is one of the most popular and reliable database management systems (DBMS), serving as an open-source alternative to MySQL. On AlmaLinux 9 and Rocky Linux 9, the default repositories only provide MariaDB 10.5. However, this version has reached its End-of-Life (EOL), meaning it no longer receives security updates or bug fixes.
For security and performance reasons, it is highly recommended to upgrade to MariaDB 11.4, which was released on May 29, 2024, with community support until May 29, 2029, and enterprise support until January 16, 2033.
This article will guide you step-by-step through installing MariaDB 11.4 on AlmaLinux / Rocky Linux — from system preparation to basic security configuration.
About MariaDB 11.4 Release
MariaDB 11.4 is a Long-Term Support (LTS) release that brings numerous improvements in performance and query efficiency. Some of the key features in this release include:
- Query optimization and faster replication speed
- Stronger TLS security support
- Improved stability for large-scale applications
- Better compatibility with modern libraries and frameworks
With its long support lifecycle, MariaDB 11.4 is an excellent choice for production servers in enterprise Linux environments such as AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux.
Steps to Install MariaDB 11.4 on AlmaLinux / Rocky Linux
Update the System
First, update your system packages:
sudo dnf update -y Add the MariaDB 11.4 Repository
Add the MariaDB 11.4 repository by running:
curl -LsS https://downloads.mariadb.com/MariaDB/mariadb_repo_setup | sudo bash -s -- --mariadb-server-version=11.4 Install MariaDB
Then, install the MariaDB server, client, and backup packages:
sudo dnf install MariaDB-server MariaDB-client MariaDB-backup -y Start the Service
Enable and start the MariaDB service:
sudo systemctl enable --now mariadb Check the MariaDB service status:
sudo systemctl status mariadb Make sure the status shows active (running). The output will also display the installed MariaDB server version, for example:
● mariadb.service - MariaDB 11.4.8 database server
Loaded: loaded (/usr/lib/systemd/system/mariadb.service; enabled; preset: disabled)
Drop-In: /etc/systemd/system/mariadb.service.d
└─migrated-from-my.cnf-settings.conf
Active: active (running) since Sat 2025-10-25 02:03:04 UTC; 3s ago
Docs: man:mariadbd(8)
https://mariadb.com/kb/en/library/systemd/ Secure the MariaDB Installation
Once MariaDB is running, execute the built-in security script:
sudo mariadb-secure-installation You will be prompted with several questions, such as:
- Setting a root password for the database
- Removing anonymous users
- Disabling remote root login
- Removing the test database
- Reloading privilege tables
It is recommended to answer Y (Yes) to all security options.
Create Database and User
Log into the MariaDB shell:
sudo mariadb -u root -p Then run the following commands:
CREATE DATABASE project_db;
CREATE USER 'bitnesia'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'StrongPassword123!';
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON project_db.* TO 'bitnesia'@'localhost';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
exit This will create a new database named project_db with a user bitnesia who has full privileges on that database.
Conclusion
By following the steps above, you have successfully installed MariaDB 11.4 on AlmaLinux or Rocky Linux 9 in a secure and stable manner. This latest version offers improved performance, enhanced security, and long-term support, making it an ideal choice for production servers.
