This announcement is to inform IT administrators that MySQL 5.7 will reach its end-of-life (EOL) stage later this year, and we are recommending a migration to MariaDB 10.11 for continued support and enhanced functionality.
Specify Cloud Users: No action is needed on your part! We will take care of all updating and maintenance for you.
As of today, MySQL 5.7 will be EOL on October 21, 2023.
What does this mean for you?
MySQL 5.7 has served as a reliable and powerful database platform for Specify 6 over the past 15 years. However, with the end-of-life approaching, it is crucial to plan and initiate the transition to MariaDB 10.11 to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted experience.
Why migrate to MariaDB 10.11?
MariaDB is a community-developed fork of MySQL that offers improved performance, increased stability, and a wide range of innovative features. By migrating to MariaDB 10.11, you can benefit from enhanced security, better scalability, and optimized query execution. This transition will ensure compatibility with future updates and provide a solid foundation for your collections management needs.
How to Check Your MySQL Version
To determine which version of MySQL you are currently using, please follow these steps:
All Specify Users
You will need to reach out to your IT administrator to run the following command on the server that hosts your MySQL instance:
mysqld --version
This command should display the version information of the MySQL client installed on your system.
Please note that the exact output format might vary slightly based on the operating system and distribution you are using, but it generally provides the version number and some additional information about the MySQL server.
mysqld Ver 5.7.40 for Linux on x86_64 (MySQL Community Server (GPL))
In the case above, you can see the version string for my MySQL installation is 5.7.40. This means that an update will be necessary.
In the case below, the version matches MariaDB 11.0.2, which means this system has already updated successfully!
mysqld Ver 11.0.2-MariaDB for osx10.18 on arm64 (Homebrew)
Specify 6 Users
-
Open Specify 6
-
Click on Specify in the menubar, then go to About Specify.
-
See your MySQL Version in the System Information list
If your version is
5.7.xor below, we reccomend updating as soon as possible.
If you are unsure about how to check your MySQL version or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact our support team for guidance.
Migrating from MySQL 5.7 to MariaDB 10.11
To migrate from MySQL 5.7 to MariaDB 10.11, please follow the steps outlined below:
-
Backup Your MySQL Database: Before proceeding with any migration, it is crucial to create a backup of your MySQL 5.7 database. This step ensures that your data remains safe during the transition process. Consult the MySQL documentation or seek assistance from your IT team to perform a proper backup. We strongly reccomend creating a new database and testing the restore process to make sure the backup is being completed correctly. -
Install MariaDB 10.11: Visit the official MariaDB website (https://mariadb.org) and download the latest stable release of MariaDB 10.11. Follow the installation instructions specific to your operating system and ensure that the installation completes successfully.
-
Follow MariaDB’s official instructions for migrating from MySQL to MariaDB.
-
Test and Verify: Once the data import is complete, thoroughly test the functionality and performance of the migrated database in the Specify Software environment. Ensure that all collections management features, data integrity, and search functionalities are working as expected.
We understand that migrating to a new database platform requires careful planning and execution. Should you encounter any challenges during the migration process or require additional guidance, our support team is ready to assist you. The most important thing is that you make and test a backup before beginning the update process.