MySQL Upgrade from 8.0 to 8.4.x (Azure)

This article provides a step-by-step procedure for upgrading Azure Database for MySQL from version 8.0 to 8.4.x. The upgrade ensures continued vendor support, access to the latest security patches, improved performance, and new features in MySQL 8.4.

System Administrators, Database Administrators, and DevOps Engineers are responsible for managing and maintaining Azure-hosted MySQL services.

Prerequisites

Before initiating the upgrade, ensure the following conditions are met:

• Backups

  • Take a full logical backup of all MySQL databases using mysqldump or mysqlpump.

  • Verify backup integrity and ensure restore capability.

• Application Downtime Preparation

  • Stop dependent application services (e.g., Apache Tomcat hosting OvalEdge or other applications).

  • Communicate planned downtime to stakeholders.

• Access Requirements

  • Ensure administrator-level access to the Azure portal and the Azure Database for MySQL service.

• Pre-Migration Checks

  • Run pre-migration scripts (if applicable to the environment).

  • Validate that no long-running queries or transactions are active.

Upgrade Steps

1. Log in to Azure

   • Access the Azure portal at: 👉 https://portal.azure.com

     
   • Authenticate using appropriate credentials with access to Azure Database for MySQL.

2. Locate the MySQL Instance

   • Navigate to Azure Database for MySQL servers.

     
   • Select the target instance currently running MySQL 8.0.

3. Initiate the Upgrade

   • Go to Overview and click Upgrade.

     
   • Review the upgrade details and check the confirmation box. Click Next.

     
   • Preview the details and click Next to proceed.

     

     

4. Confirm and Execute Upgrade

   • Click Upgrade to start the process.

     
   • ⚠️ The operation may take several minutes.

     
   • During this period, the database service may be unavailable.

5. Verify Upgrade Completion

   • Once the upgrade is complete, refresh the Overview page.

     
   • Confirm the server version is updated to MySQL 8.4.

     

Post-Upgrade Steps

1. Application Reconnection

   • Update application configurations (if necessary) to point to the upgraded MySQL instance.

   • Restart dependent services (e.g., Tomcat).

2. Run Post-Migration Scripts

   • Execute any required post-migration SQL scripts provided by the application or DBA team.

3. Validation

   • Confirm application connectivity and functionality.

   • Check database logs for warnings or errors.

   • Run health checks on critical queries and stored procedures.

Restore Backup

• If the MySQL upgrade to 8.4 fails:

  • The server will remain on MySQL 8.0.

  • Point the OE application back to the MySQL 8.0 instance and start the application.

• If issues persist after reconnecting to MySQL 8.0:

  • Create a new Azure MySQL instance with version 8.4.

  • Restore the pre-upgrade MySQL 8.0 backup to the new instance.

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