Problem: Struggling to Install MySQL on Debian 10/11

When I first attempted to install MySQL on my Debian 10/11 VPS hosted on Vultr, I encountered several issues:

Some guides skipped critical steps.
Configuration settings weren’t tailored for a VPS environment.
Securing MySQL for remote access wasn’t explained clearly.

After trying various approaches, I finally managed to set it up properly using a combination of my troubleshooting and the Vultr documentation.

Solution: Step-by-Step MySQL Installation on Debian

Here’s the approach that resolved my issues and should help others facing similar problems:

Step 1: Update System Packages

First, I realized outdated packages caused dependency issues. Running this command resolved it:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Install MySQL Server

Installing MySQL itself wasn’t a big issue, but I used this straightforward command to avoid mismatched versions:

sudo apt install mysql-server -y

Step 3: Secure MySQL Installation

This step was tricky because missing it leaves MySQL vulnerable. Running the secure installation script helped:

sudo mysql_secure_installation

Set a strong root password.
Removed test databases and anonymous users.
Disallowed remote root logins.

Step 4: Check and Enable MySQL Service

Initially, my MySQL service didn’t start after installation. Here’s how I fixed and verified it:

sudo systemctl status mysql
sudo systemctl start mysql
sudo systemctl enable mysql

Step 5: Configure for Remote Access

For those who need to access MySQL remotely, you need to:

Edit the MySQL configuration file:
```
 sudo nano /etc/mysql/mysql.conf.d/mysqld.cnf
```
- Replace 127.0.0.1 with 0.0.0.0 under [mysqld].
- Allow MySQL through the firewall:
```
  sudo ufw allow mysql
```
  Why Vultr Documentation Helped
  
  After multiple failed attempts, the Vultr guide on How to Install MySQL on Debian provided the clarity I needed. It also explained:
  - Managing MySQL in a cloud environment.
  - Tips for performance optimization on Vultr VPS.
  - Setting up backups and automating MySQL tasks.

Remaining Challenges

While I got MySQL installed and running, optimizing it for production still required additional steps, like performance tuning and user role management. The Vultr documentation proved invaluable here.

If anyone’s stuck like I was, I highly recommend following this tailored approach. Feel free to share your experience or challenges!