Step #1: Add the MariaDB Repository

The software-properties-common package should already be installed, but just in case:

sudo apt-get install software-properties-common

To find which repo you should use with the MariaDB repository generator. We’re going to add the Ubuntu 14.04 “trusty” MariaDB 5.5 repository.

We’ll import the MariaDB public key used by the package management system:

sudo apt-key adv --recv-keys --keyserver hkp://keyserver.ubuntu.com:80 0xcbcb082a1bb943db

Then we’ll add the MariaDB repository:

sudo add-apt-repository 'deb http://mirror.jmu.edu/pub/mariadb/repo/5.5/ubuntu trusty main'

Now reload the package database:

sudo apt-get update

Step #2: Install MariaDB

At this point, installing MariaDB is as simple as running just one command:

sudo apt-get install mariadb-server

You may receive the following prompt or something similar:

After this operation, 116 MB of additional disk space will be used. Do you want to continue? [Y/n]

Enter Y to continue.

Next you’ll be asked:

New password for the MariaDB “root” user:

This is an administrative account in MariaDB with elevated privileges; enter a strong password.

Then you’ll be asked to verify the root MariaDB password:

Repeat password for the MariaDB “root” user:

That’s it! Your basic MariaDB installation is now complete!

Be sure to stop MariaDB before proceeding to the next step:

sudo service mysql stop

Step #3: Configure and Secure MariaDB for Use

Now we’ll instruct MariaDB to create its database directory structure:

sudo mysql_install_db

Start MariaDB:

sudo service mysql start

And now let’s secure MariaDB by removing the test databases and anonymous user created by default:

sudo mysql_secure_installation

Step #4: Verify MariaDB Installation

You can check the version of the MariaDB installation with the following command:

mysql -V

Enter the MariaDB command client:

mysql -p

To stop MariaDB:

sudo service mysql stop

To start MariaDB:

sudo service mysql start

To check the status of MariaDB:

sudo service mysql status

To restart MariaDB:

sudo service mysql restart