Goals and Objectives

Improve Performance:
To benefit from the performance enhancements and optimizations introduced in MySQL
8.0, such as improved query execution plans, faster data retrieval, and enhanced
scalability.
To leverage features like the InnoDB storage engine improvements, better transaction
handling, and optimized data dictionary to boost overall database performance.
To evaluate the impact of the upgrade on existing workloads and aim for better
response times, increased throughput, and improved overall system efficiency.
Leverage New Features:
To capitalize on the new features and functionalities introduced in MySQL 8.0 to
enhance the capabilities of our database environment.
To take advantage of features like improved JSON support, window functions, Common
Table Expressions (CTEs), and more flexible roles and privileges management.
To explore and utilize performance schema enhancements, enhanced replication
functionality, and improved security mechanisms to optimize our applications and
operations.
Enhance Security:
To strengthen the security of our database environment by migrating to MySQL 8.0.
To leverage security-related features such as the new default authentication plugin
(caching_sha2_password), which offers improved security over the previous
mysql_native_password plugin.
To utilize the increased security options, including improved password management,
encryption, and authentication mechanisms available in MySQL 8.0.
To ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry best practices by
upgrading to the latest version with enhanced security features.
Address Specific Issues:
To resolve known issues, bugs, or limitations that have been identified in our current
MySQL 5.7 environment.
To address performance bottlenecks, stability issues, or any other specific challenges
that can be resolved by upgrading to MySQL 8.0.
To take advantage of bug fixes, stability improvements, and other enhancements
provided in the newer version to ensure a more reliable and robust database
environment.
Future-proofing and Support:
To ensure our database infrastructure remains up-to-date and compatible with modern
technologies and frameworks.
To stay aligned with industry trends and take advantage of the latest MySQL
innovations and advancements.
To future-proof our applications by adopting the newest MySQL version, enabling us to
benefit from ongoing support and updates.
Compatibility Assessment
Operating system compatibility:
Determine the operating systems used in the current environment (e.g., Windows,
Linux, macOS) and check with the official MySQL 8.0 documentation or release notes to
confirm if they are supported for the upgrade. This link provides a list of supported
platforms. Attention is given to any specific prerequisites or considerations mentioned
for the operating system powering MySQL Server, such as required patches or updates.
Hardware compatibility:
Assess the existing hardware infrastructure, including servers, storage devices, and
networking components and compare the hardware requirements and
recommendations provided by MySQL 8.0 with the existing hardware specifications in
the current environment.
The available hardware should meet or exceed the recommended specifications,
especially in terms of CPU, RAM, and disk space.
Below are the recommended minimum hardware requirements:
CPU A modern multi-core CPU is recommended. MySQL can benefit from
multiple CPU cores, especially for handling concurrent queries and heavy
workloads. The specific CPU requirements may vary based on the
expected workload and performance needs of the application
Memory The minimum recommended RAM for running MySQL 8.0 is 2 GB.
(RAM) However, the actual amount of memory required depends on the size of
target databases, the number of concurrent connections, and the
complexity of database queries. For larger databases or high-performance
scenarios, significantly more RAM is required to ensure optimal
performance
Storage The amount of disk space required depends on the size of the target
databases and the expected growth rate. Ensure availability of enough
disk space to accommodate data, indexes, and any temporary files
generated during query execution. In addition to data storage, additional
space should be reserved for backups, logs, and other system-related files
Network MySQL typically does not have specific network requirements beyond the
standard networking capabilities of an average server. However, the
network infrastructure should provide sufficient bandwidth and low latency
to handle the expected number of concurrent connections and data
transfer requirements
Software dependencies:
Identify any software components or dependencies that interact with MySQL 5.7, such
as applications, plugins, or third-party tools.
Consult the documentation, release notes, or vendor resources of these components to
verify their compatibility with MySQL 8.0.
Look for any specific instructions or steps required to ensure compatibility, such as
updating the software version or applying patches.
Plugin and feature compatibility:
Identify any plugins or extensions used in the current MySQL 5.7 environment.
Check if these plugins are compatible with MySQL 8.0 by referring to their respective
documentation or vendor resources.
Be aware of any deprecated or removed features in MySQL 8.0 that may impact your
current functionality.
Evaluate the impact of these changes on your applications or databases and plan for
any necessary modifications or alternative solutions.
Compatibility testing:
Set up a testing environment that closely replicates the production environment,
including the operating system, hardware, and software components.
Install MySQL 8.0 on this test environment and import a representative dataset from
your MySQL 5.7 environment.
Execute thorough tests on the applications, queries, stored procedures, and any other
database interactions in the MySQL 8.0 environment.
Monitor the behavior, performance, and functionality of the applications in the test
environment and compare the results with the ones for MySQL 5.7 baseline.
Identify any compatibility issues, errors, or unexpected behavior and note them for
resolution or further investigation.
Documentation Review
As part of the upgrade process from MySQL 5.7 to version 8.0, it is essential to conduct
a thorough documentation review. This involves studying the release notes,
documentation, and migration guides provided by MySQL for the 8.0 version. The
objective is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the changes, new features,
deprecated features or removed features, and any known issues that may impact the
upgrade process. The following steps outline the documentation review process:
Obtain the documentation: Access the official MySQL website or documentation
repository to retrieve the documentation resources for MySQL 8.0. Look for the release
notes, migration guides, and any other relevant documentation specifically for the
upgrade process.
Study the release notes: Begin by reviewing the release notes for MySQL 8.0. These
notes provide an overview of the changes, improvements, and new features introduced
in this version. Pay close attention to the sections related to upgrading from previous
versions, as they often highlight important considerations and requirements for a
successful upgrade.
Review the migration guides: MySQL typically provides migration guides that offer
detailed information on upgrading from specific versions, including MySQL 5.7. Study
these guides carefully, as they provide step-by-step instructions, best practices, and
recommendations for a smooth transition to MySQL 8.0.
Understand changes and new features: Dive into the documentation to understand
the specific changes and new features introduced in MySQL 8.0. This includes
improvements to performance, security enhancements, updated syntax and behavior,
and the introduction of new functionality. Assess how these changes may impact the
existing applications, queries, and database configurations.
Identify deprecated features: Identify any features that have been deprecated in
MySQL 8.0 compared to MySQL 5.7. Deprecated features are those that are still
supported in the current version but may be removed in future versions. Take note of
these deprecated features and evaluate their impact on your current environment. Plan
for any necessary modifications or alternative solutions to mitigate any potential issues.
Note known issues: Review the documentation for any known issues or limitations
specific to MySQL 8.0. Understanding these potential challenges helps anticipate and
plan for any hurdles that may arise during the upgrade process. Consider workarounds,
patches, or alternative approaches to address these known issues.
Document findings and action items: As you review the documentation, document
any important findings, key considerations, and action items that need to be addressed
during the upgrade process. This documentation serves as a reference and guide
throughout the upgrade project and ensures that all necessary steps are taken to
ensure a successful upgrade.
Testing
Environment setup:
Provision a test server with the following specifications:
CPU: 16 x86_64
Memory (RAM): 132GB
Disk: 11TB
Operating System: Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server 7.9 (newer is better)
Install MySQL 5.7 on the test environment, ensuring it matches the version and
configuration of your production environment.
Set up any additional components, such as replication, clustering, or plugins, if they
exist in your production environment.
Database backup and restoration:
Take a complete backup of the production MySQL 5.7 databases using a reliable
backup tool or method such as mysqldump or MySQL Enterprise Backup.
Restore the backup files onto the test environment, ensuring that the database
structure, data, and configurations are accurately replicated.
Data migration:
Execute the upgrade process on the test environment, following the recommended
steps outlined in the MySQL documentation and migration guides for upgrading from
MySQL 5.7 to 8.0.
Perform the necessary data migration tasks, such as executing SQL scripts or utilizing
MySQL upgrade utilities, to migrate the database schema and data from MySQL 5.7 to
8.0.
Application compatibility testing:
Test your applications against the upgraded MySQL 8.0 database in the test
environment. Ensure that all critical functionalities, queries, and transactions perform as
expected.
Verify that the applications are compatible with any changes in syntax, behavior, or
deprecated features in MySQL 8.0. Modify the application code or queries as necessary
to address any compatibility issues.
Performance and stability testing:
Execute various workloads representative of the production environment on the test
MySQL 8.0 database. This includes running typical queries, performing data inserts,
updates, and deletions, and executing complex operations that mimic real-world
scenarios.
Monitor the performance and stability of the MySQL 8.0 database during these tests.
Look for any performance degradation, bottlenecks, or issues that may arise due to the
upgrade.
Issue identification and resolution:
Document any issues or conflicts encountered during testing, including application
errors, performance issues, or compatibility problems.
Analyze and troubleshoot each issue, working towards identifying the root cause and
finding appropriate resolutions.
Apply fixes, configuration adjustments, or code modifications to address the identified
issues. Retest the affected areas to ensure successful resolution.
Iterative testing and validation:
Repeat the testing process as necessary, addressing any new issues or conflicts that
arise during subsequent test runs.
Continuously validate the upgraded MySQL 8.0 environment, ensuring that all
applications, queries, and workloads function correctly and perform optimally.
Backup Strategy
Before initiating the upgrade process from MySQL 5.7 to 8.0, it is crucial to establish a
reliable backup strategy to ensure data integrity and provide a restore point in case of
any unforeseen issues during the upgrade. The following steps outline what the backup
strategy should entail:
Assessment of backup requirements: This involves evaluating the size of the
databases, the frequency of updates or changes, and the acceptable level of data loss
in case of a restore. It is also important to consider the backup retention period and any
compliance or regulatory requirements that may apply.
Full backups: Full backups of MySQL 5.7 databases should be taken using a reliable
backup tool or method. It is a good practice to leverage a blend of physical backups and
logical backups, such as mysqldump, and MySQL Enterprise Backup to ensure
comprehensive coverage.
Physical backups: For physical backups, MySQL Enterprise Backup tool should be
used. It creates a hot consistent backup by copying the physical files associated with
the MySQL databases while the server is running.
Logical backups: Logical backups should be performed using the mysqldump utility.
This tool exports the database contents into a SQL script, allowing for easy restoration
of the data if needed. It is important to ensure that the mysqldump command includes
the necessary options to create a complete and consistent backup.
Backup verification: After taking the backups, their integrity should be verified to
ensure they can be restored successfully. This can be done by using tools like
mysqlcheck or performing trial restorations in a test environment to validate the
backups and ensure their viability for recovery.
Storage and retention: The backups should be stored in a secure location, separate
from the production environment, to protect against data loss. The best practice is to
maintain multiple copies of the backups to guard against hardware or storage failures.
The retention policy should align with the backup requirements.
Documentation of the backup strategy: This should include the tools used, backup
schedules, retention policies, and restoration procedures. In addition, the
documentation should be accessible to the relevant stakeholders and updated
accordingly.
Ultimately, implementing a well-defined backup strategy involves combining physical
and logical backups, verifying the integrity of backups, and regularly testing the
restoration process. Such an approach guarantees data safety and provides a reliable
restore point during the upgrade process. Furthermore, it helps mitigate risks and
minimize the potential impact of any unexpected issues that may arise during the
upgrade.
Upgrade Strategy
Before conducting the upgrade, it is essential to determine the most suitable approach
for the upgrade. Two common options to consider are an in-place upgrade or a
parallel upgrade. Regardless, each approach has its own pros and considerations, and
the choice should be evaluated based on the specific environment and requirements.
In-Place Upgrade:
An in-place upgrade involves upgrading the existing MySQL 5.7 installation to MySQL
8.0 directly. Here are the key points to consider:
Advantages:
Simplicity: Upgrading in-place avoids the need to set up a new instance, reducing the
complexity and time required for the upgrade process.
Seamless transition: Applications can continue leveraging the same connection
details, minimizing disruptions.
Reduced resource utilization: An in-place upgrade avoids the need for additional
hardware resources.
Considerations:
Backup and recovery: Despite taking backups, there is a level of risk involved in
upgrading the existing installation. It is crucial to ensure the availability of reliable
backups and a tested recovery plan.
Rollback complexity: Reverting to the previous version can be challenging if issues
arise during the upgrade process. It is essential to have a rollback plan and thoroughly
test it beforehand.
Application compatibility: The compatibility of applications and third-party tools with
the new database server can be a major issue particularly if applications fail to function
correctly after the upgrade.
Prolonged downtime: There is a risk of prolonged downtime if a proper rollback plan is
not in place, and as such, may not be a viable option for mission critical databases.
Parallel Upgrade:
A parallel upgrade involves setting up a new MySQL 8.0 instance alongside the existing
MySQL 5.7 instance and migrating the data. Here are the key points to consider:
Advantages:
Safety and fallback: The existing MySQL 5.7 instance remains untouched, providing a
fallback option in case issues occur during the upgrade process.
Testing and validation: The parallel setup allows for comprehensive testing and
validation of the new MySQL environment without impacting the production system.
Minimal downtime: Data migration can be performed offline or with little or minimum
downtime, ensuring a smoother transition.
Considerations:
Resource requirements: A parallel upgrade certainly requires additional hardware
resources to accommodate the new MySQL 8.0 instance.
Data synchronization: During the migration phase, it is essential to ensure data
consistency and synchronize any ongoing changes between the two instances.
Application reconfiguration: After the migration, applications need to be reconfigured
to connect to the new MySQL 8.0 instance. This may require updating the connection
settings or retesting application functionality.
Ultimately, in deciding between an in-place upgrade and a parallel upgrade, several
factors such as the criticality of the database, the availability of suitable hardware
resources, the complexity of the environment, and the level of tolerance for downtime
and risks, all must be considered. It is advisable to perform rigorous testing and
validation in a test or staging environment before executing the chosen upgrade
strategy in the production environment. Additionally, the chosen strategy should be
clearly documented, including the steps, considerations, and rollback plans, to ensure a
safe upgrade process.
Upgrade Sequence
It is important to define the order of upgrade for the different components (database
servers, replication environments, and plugins) interacting together within a database
environment. During such planning, it is crucial to consider dependencies, minimize
downtime, and ensure a smooth transition. Here are the steps to define the upgrade
sequence:
Assessment of dependencies:
This involves identifying the dependencies between different components within the
MySQL environment, such as database servers, replication setups, and plugins.
Understanding how these components interact with each other is vital in determining
any specific requirements for the upgrade.
Replication environments:
For a master-slave replication setup, the best practice would be to upgrade the slave
servers before upgrading the master server(s). This ensures that the slave databases
are compatible with the new version and can continue replicating without interruption.
For a multi-level replication setup, the downstream slaves should be upgraded first,
moving towards the top-level master.
If any replication plugins or extensions have been used in within the current
environment, it is necessary to assess their compatibility with MySQL 8.0 and to follow
the vendor specific guidelines for upgrading them.
Database servers:
The best approach would be to begin with upgrading non-production or less critical
database servers to gain experience and confidence with the upgrade process.
Standalone database servers should be upgraded first before upgrading servers within
a cluster or other high availability configurations.
Workload and traffic patterns should be considered when deciding the order of
upgrading different database servers. Lower traffic servers or those in the maintenance
windows should be prioritized to minimize the impact on the overall system.
Plugins and extensions:
Any plugins or extensions installed in the current MySQL environment should be
identified. Their compatibility with MySQL 8.0 and any specific upgrade requirements
should be reviewed.
If possible, the plugins or extensions should be upgraded alongside the corresponding
database server upgrade. It is vital to follow the vendor specific recommendations for
upgrading the plugins and to ensure they are compatible with MySQL 8.0.
Application servers:
Once the database servers and replication environments are upgraded, the application
servers or middle-tier components that interact with the MySQL databases should be
upgraded as well. Before their upgrade, it is imperative to verify their compatibility with
MySQL 8.0. As may be required, the necessary connection settings, drivers, or
configurations may be updated to ensure proper functionality.
Testing and validation:
After upgrading each component, thorough testing and validation should be performed
to ensure correct functioning of the upgraded system.
The things to be tested are the critical application functionalities, queries, and
transactions to ensure compatibility with the upgraded MySQL 8.0 databases.
Performance and stability should be monitored to identify any potential issues that may
require further adjustments or optimizations.
Downtime Planning