A Comprehensive Guide to Installing MariaDB for Ark Server Plugins

MariaDB is a powerful and efficient database management software that allows you to keep track of critical information on your game server. If you manage a game server like ARK: Survival Evolved, MariaDB helps with data management across different game maps, ensuring player data, settings, and progress are carried over seamlessly. By installing MariaDB, you can effectively organize your data and improve server performance. This guide will walk you through installing and configuring MariaDB to use with plugins or other software that require a database.

Important Notice

Please Read: MariaDB versions above 11.3.0 are not yet fully compatible with many plugins, so you’ll need to download an older version (below 11.4) to ensure compatibility. Since this is an outdated version, make sure to protect it by limiting external access.

Step-by-Step Installation Guide:

1. Download MariaDB Community Server (Version 11.3.0):

• Head to the official MariaDB Downloads Page.
• Select and download the .msi installer file for MariaDB Community Server.

2. Execute the Installer:

• Run the downloaded .msi file.
• Follow the prompts to accept the license terms and continue the installation process.

Important Notice

Please Read: During the installation, you will be asked to set a secure root password. Choose a strong password and store it somewhere safe. If you forget this password, you may need to reinstall MariaDB, which could lead to potential data loss.

• It’s recommended not to enable root access from remote machines to enhance security.

• You’ll also be given the option to install HeidiSQL, a database management tool. If you prefer another tool, you can opt out of installing HeidiSQL.

3. Complete the Installation:

• After configuring the options, click through the installer prompts to complete the installation.

4. Open HeidiSQL (or Your Preferred Database Management Tool):

• Launch HeidiSQL or any other MariaDB database management software.
• Log in using the root user with the password you created during installation.

Important Notice

Security Reminder: Although you can use the root user for convenience, it is highly discouraged for security reasons. In modern digital environments, it’s best practice to create a new user with restricted permissions.

Configuring MariaDB for Plugin Use:

5. Create a New Database:

• In HeidiSQL, right-click on the server name (often shown as "Unnamed" unless you’ve renamed it).
• Select the option to Create New Database.
• For the purpose of this guide, let's call it arkdb. This will serve as the database where your plugins will store their information.

6. Create a New User with Restricted Permissions:

• Click on the User Management button in HeidiSQL's top toolbar.
• In the user management interface, create a new user. Let's name this user plugins.
• Set a strong password for the plugins user.

7. Assign Permissions to the New User:

• Assign this user full privileges only on the arkdb database that you just created.
• Avoid granting global privileges, as this could expose your server to unnecessary risks. Instead, limit the user’s access to local connections by setting the "From host" option to localhost unless you require remote access.

Important Notice

Tip: Limiting permissions and restricting user access to specific databases reduces potential security vulnerabilities.

Example Configuration for ArkShop Plugin:

Once MariaDB is installed and configured, you’ll need to link it to your game’s plugin, such as ArkShop. Below is an example of how you would configure the ArkShop plugin to connect to your MariaDB server:

"MySQL": {
    "UseMySQL": true,
    "MySQLHost": "localhost",
    "MySQLUser": "plugins",
    "MySQLPass": "your_password_here",
    "MySQLDB": "arkdb",
    "MySQLPort": 3306
  }

Simply replace "your_password_here" with the secure password you set for the plugins user, and your plugin should now be connected to the MariaDB database.

Final Notes:

• Ensure your MariaDB version stays secure by limiting who can access it and regularly updating your security settings.
• Always keep backups of your databases in case any issues arise.
• If you encounter any problems during installation or configuration, feel free to reach out in the comments for assistance!

This guide provides a clear and structured path to get MariaDB up and running for your server plugins, ensuring both security and ease of use.