This topic describes how to upgrade the major engine version of an ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL instance. The ApsaraDB RDS console supports a direct upgrade only from MySQL 5.5 to MySQL 5.6. If you want to upgrade your RDS instance between other major engine versions, for example, from MySQL 5.6 to MySQL 8.0, you must migrate data.

Upgrade the major engine version from MySQL 5.5 to MySQL 5.6

Notice
  • You cannot downgrade the major engine version of your RDS instance.
  • Before you upgrade the major engine version of your RDS instance, we recommend that you purchase an RDS instance that runs the destination major engine version. Then, you can use the new RDS instance to test the compatibility between the destination major engine version and your workloads.
  • When you upgrade the major engine version of your RDS instance, your RDS instance may encounter a transient connection of about 30 seconds. We recommend that you perform the upgrade during off-peak hours. Alternatively, make sure that your application is configured to automatically reconnect to your RDS instance.
  1. Visit the RDS instance list, select a region above, and click the target instance ID.
  2. In the Configuration Information section of the Basic Information page, click Upgrade Database.
  3. In the dialog box that appears, select Migrate Immediately or Switch Within Maintenance Window. Then, click OK.
    • Migrate Immediately: The upgrade is immediately started.
    • Switch Within Maintenance Window: The upgrade is started within the specified maintenance window. For more information, see Set the maintenance window of an ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL instance. You can also click Change on the right to change the maintenance window.

Upgrade the major engine version from MySQL 5.6 or MySQL 5.7

If you want to upgrade the major engine version of your RDS instance from MySQL 5.6 or MySQL 5.7, perform the following steps:

  1. Create an RDS instance that runs the destination major engine version. For more information, see Create an ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL instance.
  2. Migrate the data of your original RDS instance to the new RDS instance. For more information, see Migrate data between ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL instances.
  3. Release your original RDS instance. For more information, see Release or unsubscribe from an ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL instance.

For example, your RDS instance runs MySQL 5.6, and you want to upgrade the major engine version of the instance to MySQL 8.0. In this case, you must first create an RDS instance that runs MySQL 8.0. Then, you must migrate the data of your original RDS instance to the new RDS instance. After the migration is complete, you can release your original RDS instance.

Example: Upgrade the major engine version of an ApsaraDB RDS instance from MySQL 5.6 to MySQL 5.7

Notice You must verify the compatibility between the destination major engine version and your workloads. You must also keep monitoring the new RDS instance for a specific period of time. You can release your original RDS instance only after you confirm that the new RDS instance runs your workloads as normal.

Related operations

Operation Description
Upgrade database engine version Upgrades the major engine version of an ApsaraDB RDS instance.