Running MySQL database with Docker Compose

Our guides are written with the expectation that the following requirements are met:

• Server: VPS/Dedicated Vultr / Contabo
• Ubuntu operating system 22.04 configured
• Docker/Docker Compose and Nginx installed
• SSH client with SFTP capabilities

MySQL is an open-source relational database management system (RDBMS) that uses Structured Query Language (SQL) to manage and manipulate data. It is widely used for web applications and as a backend database in a variety of software environments. MySQL is known for its reliability, scalability, and ease of use, making it a popular choice for developers and organizations of all sizes.

Create a new folder, for your database:

mkdir database && cd database

Create a docker-compose.yml file:

nano docker-compose.yml

Paste the following code edit your credentials and save:

version: "3.8"

services:
  mysql:
    image: mysql:9
    container_name: mysql_container
    restart: always
    environment:
      MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD: your_root_password
      MYSQL_DATABASE: your_database_name
      MYSQL_USER: your_user_name
      MYSQL_PASSWORD: your_user_password
    volumes:
      - ./mysql_data:/var/lib/mysql 
    ports:
      - "3306:3306" 

Start your database with:

sudo docker compose up

Start as Daemon(with auto restart) database with:

sudo docker compose up -d

Restart database:

sudo docker restart mysql_container

Start database:

sudo docker start mysql_container

Stop database:

sudo docker stop mysql_container

Once your database is running, you might want to tweak the Database settings:

This is how your folder structure should looks like:

Create file called my_conf.cnf:

nano my_conf.cnf

Add your Custom configs like:

[mysqld]
max_connections = 500

Edit your docker-compose.yml file:

nano docker-compose.yml

Your docker-compose.yml file:

services:
  mysql:
    image: mysql:9
    container_name: mysql_container
    restart: always
    environment:
      MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD: your_root_password
      MYSQL_DATABASE: your_database_name
      MYSQL_USER: your_user_name
      MYSQL_PASSWORD: your_user_password
    volumes:
      - ./mysql_data:/var/lib/mysql
      - ./my_conf.cnf:/etc/mysql/conf.d/my_conf.cnf #ADD THIS LINE TO LINK YOUR CONF!
    ports:
      - "3306:3306"

Apply with Restart database:

sudo docker restart mysql_container

Test your config with SQL Query e.g.:

SHOW VARIABLES LIKE 'max_connections';

For protecting your database either only allow access on localhost:

  ports:
      - "127.0.0.1:3306:3306" 

Use non-default port which help to avoid port scanners:

  ports:
      - "32121:3306" 

In case you are experiencing performance issues, use MySQLTuner before start tweaking the configuration:

• https://github.com/major/MySQLTuner-perl