How to Install TiDB from Docker Hub and Migrate MySQL Data

Introduction

TiDB is a powerful distributed SQL database that combines the scalability of NoSQL systems with the familiarity of MySQL. Installing TiDB via Docker Hub simplifies the setup process, while its compatibility with MySQL makes data migration seamless. This guide walks you through installing TiDB using Docker, backing up your MySQL database, and restoring it into TiDB.

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Step 1: Install TiDB Using Docker Hub

Prerequisites

• Docker installed on your system.
• Basic knowledge of Docker commands.

Steps

1. Pull the TiDB Docker Image
   Open your terminal and run the following command to pull the official TiDB image from Docker Hub:

   docker pull pingcap/tidb:<version>

Replace <version> with the desired TiDB version (e.g., v6.5.0).

2. Run the TiDB Container
   Start the TiDB container with the following command:

   docker run --name tidb-server -d -p 4000:4000 pingcap/tidb:<version>

• -p 4000:4000 maps port 4000 of the container to your host machine.
• --name tidb-server assigns a name to the container for easier management.

1. Verify the Installation
   Connect to the TiDB server using the MySQL client:

   mysql -h 127.0.0.1 -P 4000 -u root

If successful, you’ll see the TiDB welcome message.

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Step 2: Backup Your MySQL Database

Why Backup?

Before migrating data, you need to create a backup of your MySQL database to ensure no data is lost during the process.

Steps

1. Install mysqldump
   Ensure mysqldump is installed on your system. For Ubuntu/Debian:

   sudo apt-get install mysql-client

2. Export the MySQL Database
   Use mysqldump to create a backup file:

   mysqldump -h <mysql_host> -u <username> -p<password> <database_name> > backup.sql

Example:

   mysqldump -h 127.0.0.1 -u root -pmypassword mydb > backup.sql

This creates a file named backup.sql containing the schema and data of your MySQL database.

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Step 3: Restore the Backup to TiDB

Steps

1. Transfer the Backup File
   Copy the backup.sql file to the machine running the TiDB container.
2. Import the Backup into TiDB
   Use the MySQL client to import the backup file into TiDB:

   mysql -h 127.0.0.1 -P 4000 -u root < backup.sql

Example:

   mysql -h 127.0.0.1 -P 4000 -u root < /path/to/backup.sql

This restores the schema and data into TiDB.

3. Verify the Data
   Connect to TiDB and check if the data has been imported successfully:

   USE mydb;
   SELECT * FROM mytable LIMIT 10;

You should see the same data as in your MySQL database.

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Step 4: Test the Migration

Example Scenario

Suppose you have a MySQL table named users with the following structure:

CREATE TABLE users (
    id INT PRIMARY KEY,
    name VARCHAR(50),
    email VARCHAR(100)
);

After restoring the backup, verify the data in TiDB:

SELECT * FROM users;

If the output matches your MySQL data, the migration was successful.

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Additional Tips

1. Handle Large Databases
   For large databases, consider splitting the backup into smaller chunks or using tools like mydumper for faster exports.
2. Monitor Performance
   After migration, monitor TiDB’s performance using its built-in monitoring tools (e.g., Grafana and Prometheus).
3. Optimize Queries
   While TiDB is compatible with MySQL, some queries may require optimization for better performance in a distributed environment.

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Conclusion

Migrating from MySQL to TiDB is straightforward when using Docker Hub for installation and leveraging tools like mysqldump for backup and restore. By following this guide, you can seamlessly transition to TiDB and take advantage of its scalability and reliability.

Start your journey with TiDB today and unlock the potential of distributed databases for your applications!