Escape MySQL 5.6 on Azure End of Life with a 5.7 Upgrade

MySQL on Azure 5.6 reached End of Life (EoL) on February 4, 2021. If your organization is still using this version of the service, it’s time to choose your upgrade option. Learn how an upgrade to MySQL on Azure 5.7 makes the most sense for your managed databases.

What Is MySQL on Azure

Azure Database for MySQL is a fully managed database service that makes it simple to take MySQL databases into the cloud. You have access to the most recent community editions of this database, along with the powerful benefits that Azure’s platform delivers.

• Up to 99.9% availability, backed by a service-level agreement.
• Automated infrastructure management, including updates, backups, and other maintenance.
• Custom performance recommendations to help you optimize your MySQL databases.
• Expand your MySQL capabilities through tight integration with other Azure services.
• Single-zone and zone-redundant high availability.
• Advanced security features, including Microsoft Defender for Identity.
• Keep working with the same development tools, as Azure supports a variety of programming languages, development environments, and other software.
• Scale your MySQL databases in seconds and keep costs optimized with pay-as-you-go pricing models.

What MySQL 5.6 EoL Means for Your Organization

Azure Database for MySQL no longer allows you to make MySQL 5.6 database instances as of April 1, 2021. While this MySQL version has had an exceptional run since February 5, 2013, continuing to use it puts your organization at risk.

You will no longer receive security updates, patches, bug fixes, or any other support for this database. The longer you use an obsolete database version, the more likely it is that you will suffer from a data breach or another type of malicious attack. Your next step is preparing for a migration to a newer version of MySQL available on Azure.

Why Upgrade to MySQL 5.7 on Azure

MySQL 5.7 and 8.0 are available on Azure. While both versions have many benefits and new features, MySQL 5.7 has several compelling reasons to choose it.

• You can easily upgrade from MySQL 5.6 to MySQL 5.7 directly. It’s not a best practice to go directly to MySQL 8.0 from 5.6, so you would have to go through two upgrade processes back-to-back instead of one.
• MySQL 5.7 has many improvements over 5.6, such as being three times as fast, but it’s still in the same major release number. You have to do less work to keep your applications working properly than with the more drastic shift to MySQL 8.0.
• MySQL 5.7 has continued support until October 2023. You have two years to prepare your organization for the next major upgrade, allowing you to make the most of each version.

MySQL 5.7 adds JSON and GIS support, better InnoDB scalability, new monitoring functionality, improved security, a rewritten Optimizer, and more to this powerful database.

Planning Your MySQL on Azure 5.6 to 5.7 Upgrade

No matter which MySQL version you choose, database upgrades are a complex process. With Datavail’s MySQL and Azure experts at your side, you’ll be able to get back to a supported database version in no time. Contact us to learn more about our database management and maintenance services.