This is a simple guide for setting up a standalone MariaDB server on FreeBSD 9.2.

• Update the system and ports tree:
  

  pkg update && pkg upgrade
  

Install MariaDB server¶

• Start by installing the mariadb-server and mariadb-client packages:
  

  pkg install mariadb55-{server,client}
  

Configure MariaDB server¶

• Copy a base MariaDB configuration to use
  

  cp /usr/local/share/mysql/my-small.cnf /var/db/mysql/my.cnf
  

• Tuning: Copy one of the default config files and change the max packet size:
  

  vi /var/db/mysql/my.cnf
  

  • and modify max_allowed_packet to 32M
    

    max_allowed_packet = 32M
    

• Enable and start MariaDB
  

  echo 'mysql_enable="YES"' >> /etc/rc.conf
  service mysql-server start
  

• Prepare Database for use by running the secure installation:
  

  mysql_secure_installation
  

  • NOTE: Choose a strong root password and answer yes to all questions.

Create MariaDB Databases and Users¶

• Login to MariaDB and create appropriate databases and users.
  

  mysql -u root -p
  

  • and run the following SQL queries to create the somedatabase database and someuser user:
    

    CREATE DATABASE somedatabase CHARACTER SET utf8;
    
    CREATE USER 'someuser'@'127.0.0.1' IDENTIFIED BY 'SuperSecretPassword';
    
    GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON somedatabase.* TO 'someuser'@'127.0.0.1';
    
    flush privileges;