Databases

MariaDB on Windows User Guide

| Product: MariaDB on Windows

Overview

This guide covers the deployment and configuration of MariaDB on Windows Server using cloudimg AMIs from the AWS Marketplace. MariaDB is a community developed, commercially supported fork of MySQL that provides a robust, scalable, and reliable SQL database server.

What's included in this AMI:

  • MariaDB (latest version) with database listener on port 3306
  • MariaDB Windows Service for automatic startup on boot
  • HeidiSQL database administration client preinstalled
  • Windows Server with Remote Desktop access
  • 24/7 cloudimg support with guaranteed 24 hour response SLA

Prerequisites

Before launching this AMI, ensure you have:

  1. An active AWS account
  2. An active subscription to the MariaDB on Windows listing on AWS Marketplace
  3. An EC2 key pair for password decryption
  4. A Remote Desktop client application

Recommended Instance Type: t3.medium (2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM) or larger. The minimum requirements are 1 vCPU, 1 GB RAM, and 20 GB disk space.

Step 1: Launch the AMI

  1. Navigate to the AWS Marketplace and search for "MariaDB Windows cloudimg"
  2. Click Continue to Subscribe, accept the terms, then Continue to Configuration
  3. Select your preferred Region and Software Version
  4. Click Continue to Launch
  5. Choose Launch through EC2 for full control over instance configuration
  6. Select your instance type (t3.medium recommended)
  7. Configure storage: 20 GB gp3 minimum, increase for large databases
  8. Configure your Security Group with the following inbound rules:
Port Protocol Source Purpose
3389 TCP Your IP Remote Desktop (RDP) access
3306 TCP Your IP MariaDB database listener port

Important: Restrict port 3306 to trusted application servers or your IP only. Do not expose the database port to the public internet.

  1. Select your EC2 key pair and launch the instance

Step 2: Retrieve the Windows Password

Wait for the EC2 instance to pass 2/2 status checks.

  1. Open the AWS Console and navigate to EC2 > Instances
  2. Select your instance
  3. Click Actions > Security > Get Windows password
  4. Click Browse and upload your EC2 key pair .pem file
  5. Click Decrypt password
  6. Note the Username (Administrator) and the decrypted Password

Step 3: Connect via Remote Desktop

Open your Remote Desktop client:

On Windows: 1. Press Win + R, type mstsc, and press Enter 2. Enter the public IP address of your instance 3. Click Connect

On macOS: 1. Open Microsoft Remote Desktop 2. Click Add PC and enter the public IP address 3. Double click the connection to connect

When prompted: - Username: Administrator - Password: The decrypted value from Step 2

Step 4: Connect Using HeidiSQL

HeidiSQL has been preinstalled as a graphical database administration tool. Locate the HeidiSQL shortcut on the desktop and double click to launch it.

To connect to the local MariaDB instance:

  1. Click New to create a session
  2. Set Network type to MariaDB or MySQL (TCP/IP)
  3. Set Hostname / IP to 127.0.0.1
  4. Set Port to 3306
  5. Set User to root
  6. Enter the MariaDB root password (if set during installation)
  7. Click Open

Managing the MariaDB Service

MariaDB runs as a Windows Service and starts automatically on boot.

To manage via Windows Services:

  1. From the Start Menu, search for Services and click to open
  2. Locate the MariaDB service in the list
  3. Right click to Start, Stop, or Restart the service

Using PowerShell:

# Check MariaDB service status
Get-Service -Name MariaDB

# Stop MariaDB
Stop-Service -Name MariaDB

# Start MariaDB
Start-Service -Name MariaDB

# Restart MariaDB
Restart-Service -Name MariaDB

Server Components

Component Version
MariaDB Latest
HeidiSQL Included

Filesystem Layout

Drive Description
C:\ System drive with Windows, MariaDB, and HeidiSQL installation

Key directories:

Directory Purpose
C:\Program Files\MariaDB MariaDB server installation
C:\Program Files\MariaDB\data Database data files
C:\Program Files\HeidiSQL HeidiSQL client installation

Troubleshooting

Cannot connect to MariaDB on port 3306

  1. Verify the MariaDB service is running in Windows Services
  2. Check your security group allows port 3306 from your IP
  3. Test local connectivity from HeidiSQL using 127.0.0.1
  4. Check Windows Firewall is not blocking port 3306

HeidiSQL shows connection error

  1. Verify MariaDB service is running
  2. Check the username and password are correct
  3. Ensure you are connecting to 127.0.0.1 port 3306

Cannot connect via RDP

  1. Verify the instance has passed 2/2 status checks
  2. Check that your security group allows port 3389 from your IP
  3. Wait up to 15 minutes for the Windows password to be available

Security Recommendations

  • Set a root password if not already configured
  • Change the Administrator password for Windows after first login
  • Restrict port access: Only allow port 3306 from trusted IPs
  • Create application specific users: Do not use root for application connections
  • Disable remote root login: Restrict root access to localhost only
  • Enable SSL/TLS for encrypted database connections
  • Back up regularly: Use mysqldump or MariaDB Backup for automated backups
  • Enable Windows Update: Keep the OS patched with the latest security updates

Support

If you encounter any issues with this product, contact cloudimg support:

  • Email: support@cloudimg.co.uk
  • Website: www.cloudimg.co.uk
  • Support hours: 24/7 with guaranteed 24 hour response SLA