ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL supports both automatic and manual updates to the minor engine version of your RDS instance. These updates increase performance, introduce new features, and fix known issues.

Background information

The default update mode is the automatic update mode. You can log on to the ApsaraDB RDS console, go to the Basic Information page of your RDS instance, and then in the Configuration Information section view the Minor Version Upgrade Mode.

Configure the automatic update mode in the original ApsaraDB RDS consoleConfigure the automatic update mode in the new ApsaraDB RDS console
  • Auto: When a new minor engine version is released, Alibaba Cloud pushes a notification to you. In addition, ApsaraDB RDS automatically updates your RDS instance to the new minor engine version during the specified maintenance window. For more information, see Set the maintenance window of an ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL instance.
  • Manual: When the lifecycle of the minor engine version that is run by your RDS instance ends, Alibaba Cloud pushes a notification to you. The notification states that you must update your RDS instance to the latest stable minor engine version within one month. In most cases, the lifecycle of a minor engine version spans one year. You can manually update the minor engine version on the Basic Information page. For more information, see the "Manually update the minor engine version of an RDS instance" section of this topic.
    Note A minor engine version is taken offline after its lifecycle ends.

For more information about the features that are provided by various minor versions of ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL, see Release notes of minor AliSQL versions.

For more information about updating the minor engine version of an ApsaraDB RDS for PostgreSQL instance, see Upgrade the minor engine version of an ApsaraDB RDS for PostgreSQL instance.

Note RDS instances that run SQL Server, PPAS, or MariaDB do not support updates to minor engine versions.

Precautions

  • When you upgrade, migrate, or change the specifications of your RDS instance, ApsaraDB RDS updates the minor engine version of the instance to improve performance and stability. This applies if the minor engine version of your RDS instance expires or will no longer be maintained.
  • An update to the minor engine version causes a restart of your RDS instance. During the restart, a transient connection error of 30 seconds may occur. The restart time varies based on the specified Upgrade Time, which can be set to Upgrade Immediate or Upgrade within maintenance period. We recommend that you update the minor engine version of your RDS instance during off-peak hours. Otherwise, make sure that your application is configured to automatically reconnect to your RDS instance.
  • After you update the minor engine version of your RDS instance, you cannot cancel the update.
  • When you upgrade your RDS instance, ApsaraDB RDS updates the minor engine version of the instance.

Configure the minor engine version update mode of an RDS instance

  1. Go to the Basic Information page.
    1. Log on to the ApsaraDB for RDS console. In the left-side navigation pane, click Instances. In the top navigation bar, select the region where your RDS instance resides.
      选择地域
    2. Find your RDS instance and click its ID.
  2. In the Configuration Information section of the Basic Information page, click Configure to the right of Minor Version Upgrade Mode.
  3. Select the Auto or Manual update mode and click OK.
    Set Minor Version Upgrade Mode dialog box

Manually update the minor engine version of an RDS instance

  1. Go to the Basic Information page.
    1. Log on to the ApsaraDB for RDS console. In the left-side navigation pane, click Instances. In the top navigation bar, select the region where your RDS instance resides.
      选择地域
    2. Find your RDS instance and click its ID.
  2. In the Configuration Information section of the Basic Information page, click Upgrade Kernel Version.
    Note If Upgrade Kernel Version does not appear, you are using the latest minor engine version.
  3. In the dialog box that appears, specify the Upgrade Time parameter and click OK.

FAQ

  • After I update the minor engine version of my RDS instance, why does the SELECT @@version statement still return the minor engine version that I used before the update?

    The SELECT @@version statement returns the minor version of Alibaba Cloud. If you want to query the minor engine version of your RDS instance, run the show variables like '%rds_release_date%' command.

  • Is each update targeted only for the next minor engine version?

    No, each update is targeted for the latest minor engine version.

Related operations

Operation Description
Upgrade minor version Updates the minor engine version of an ApsaraDB RDS instance.