This guide outlines multiple methods for installing MySQL on Ubuntu 16.04, covering APT repository, offline DEB bundle, and binary tarball installations.

Installation Method Overview

Before installation, consider the following:

• APT Installation: Simplest method using Ubuntu's package manager. Automatically configures services and environment variables.
• DEB Bundle: Offline package installation providing more control over specific versions.
• Binary Tarball: Manual installation offfering maximum control and flexibility, suitable for producsion servers.

Method 1: APT Repository Installation

This method follows the official MySQL APT repository guide and installs latest version (5.7.18 at time of writting).

Step 1: Configure MySQL APT Repository (Optional)

Download and configure the repository setup tool:

sudo dpkg -i mysql-apt-config_0.8.6-1_all.deb

Update package lists:

sudo apt-get update

Step 2: Install MySQL Server

sudo apt-get install mysql-server

If dependency issues occur, resolve them with:

sudo apt-get install -f

Step 3: Installation Configuration

During installation, you'll be prompted to set the root password.

Step 4: Post-Installation Verification

Check MySQL service status and connectivity:

# Check if MySQL is listening on default port
sudo netstat -anp | grep mysql

# Service management commands
sudo service mysql start
sudo service mysql stop
sudo service mysql status

# Connect to MySQL instance
mysql -h localhost -P 3306 -uroot -p

# Verify installation
SHOW DATABASES;

Step 5: Uninstallation

# Remove MySQL server
sudo apt-get remove mysql-server

# Clean up dependencies
sudo apt-get autoremove

# List installed MySQL packages
dpkg -l | grep mysql | grep ii

Method 2: Offline DEB Bundle Installation

Step 1: Download Bundle

Download the appropriate DEB bundle from MySQL's official download page.

Step 2: Extract Bundle

tar xvf mysql-server_5.7.18-1ubuntu16.04_amd64.deb-bundle.tar

Step 3: Install Dependencies and Packages

# Install required library
sudo apt-get install libaio1

# Configure server package
sudo dpkg-preconfigure mysql-community-server_*.deb

# Install packages in specific order
sudo dpkg -i mysql-common_*.deb
sudo dpkg -i mysql-community-client_*.deb
sudo dpkg -i mysql-client_*.deb
sudo dpkg -i mysql-community-server_*.deb
sudo dpkg -i mysql-server_*.deb

# Fix any dependency issues
sudo apt-get -f install

Method 3: Binary Tarball Installation

Step 1: Download and Extract

tar zxvf mysql-5.7.18-linux-glibc2.5-x86_64.tar.gz
sudo mv mysql-5.7.18-linux-glibc2.5-x86_64 /usr/local
sudo ln -s /usr/local/mysql-5.7.18-linux-glibc2.5-x86_64/ /usr/local/mysql

Step 2: Install Dependencies and Configure

# Install required library
sudo apt-get install libaio1

# Create MySQL user and group
sudo groupadd mysql
sudo useradd -r -g mysql -s /bin/false mysql

# Navigate to installation directory
cd /usr/local/mysql

# Create necessary directories
sudo mkdir mysql-files
sudo chmod 750 mysql-files

# Set ownership
sudo chown -R mysql .
sudo chgrp -R mysql .

# Initialize database (note the temporary root password in output)
sudo bin/mysqld --initialize --user=mysql

# Generate SSL certificates
sudo bin/mysql_ssl_rsa_setup

# Reset ownership for security
sudo chown -R root .
sudo chown -R mysql data mysql-files

Step 3: Start MySQL Service

sudo bin/mysqld_safe --user=mysql &

Step 4: Secure Initial Login and Configure Remote Access

# Connect using temporary password
/usr/local/mysql/bin/mysql -uroot -p

# Change root password and configure access
UPDATE mysql.user SET authentication_string=PASSWORD('NewSecurePass123!') WHERE User='root';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;
ALTER USER 'root'@'localhost' PASSWORD EXPIRE NEVER;
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON *.* TO 'root'@'%' IDENTIFIED BY 'NewSecurePass123!' WITH GRANT OPTION;
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

Step 5: Configure Automatic Startup

# Copy service script
sudo cp /usr/local/mysql/support-files/mysql.server /etc/init.d/mysql.server

# Install service manager
sudo apt-get install sysv-rc-conf

# Configure startup
sudo sysv-rc-conf

Service management commands:

sudo service mysql.server status
sudo service mysql.server start
sudo service mysql.server stop

Step 6: Set Environment Variables

Add MySQL binaries to PATH in ~/.profile:

export PATH="$PATH:/usr/local/mysql/bin"

Reload profile:

source ~/.profile