Attention valued clients! MySQL 5.7 will be reaching its industry wide end-of-life this year. All WP Engine-hosted sites will be auto-upgraded to MySQL 8.0 by the end of October 2023 so now is the time to begin testing it out before it deploys to your live site.
What is MySQL?
MySQL is an open-source relational database management system that stores and organizes all the essential data for your WordPress site. In simpler terms, MySQL is like a digital storage warehouse where your website's content, including posts, pages, user information, and settings, is securely stored and easily accessible. When visitors interact with your WordPress site, MySQL efficiently retrieves the required information and presents it to them, ensuring seamless user experiences and smooth functionality.
When will this change happen?
In order to prepare for this change, WP Engine-hosted sites will be auto-upgrading to MySQL 8.0 by the end of October 2023. You may have already received detailed information about this upgrade, and subsequent communications are planned to keep you informed throughout the process.
What does this upgrade do for my site?
The upgrade to MySQL 8.0 can have several effects on client sites, both positive and potentially challenging. Here are some key points to consider:
- Performance Improvements: MySQL 8.0 offers various performance enhancements, including faster query execution and improved handling of large datasets. This means that client sites may experience faster loading times and improved overall responsiveness.
- Security Enhancements: With each new version, MySQL addresses known security vulnerabilities and strengthens data protection measures. Upgrading to MySQL 8.0 can help ensure better security for client websites and safeguard sensitive data.
- Compatibility and Plugin Support: While most plugins and themes are likely to work well with MySQL 8.0, there could be some cases where certain plugins may require updates to be compatible with the new version. WP Engine will likely provide guidance and support to ensure smooth transitions.
- Testing and Compatibility: Before the auto-upgrade, clients will be encouraged to review the provided Support article regarding testing and preparation. This is to ensure that their WordPress sites and any custom code they use are compatible with MySQL 8.0.
- Potential Compatibility Issues: Despite efforts to maintain backward compatibility, there might be isolated cases where older themes or plugins may not fully function with MySQL 8.0. In such cases, adjustments or updates may be necessary.
- Support and Assistance: WP Engine and GLIDE will both have a dedicated support team to assist clients during and after the upgrade process, addressing any concerns or issues that may arise.
Overall, the upgrade to MySQL 8.0 is aimed at providing clients with improved performance, security, and database capabilities. However, it's essential for clients to be proactive in reviewing the information provided by WP Engine, testing their websites, and seeking support if needed to ensure a successful transition to the new version of MySQL.
What should we do?
To prepare for this change, we kindly request you to review WPEngine’s Support article here >> for testing and preparation guidance. When seeking support from GLIDE, please send an email to support@glidedesign.com or visit our Support Portal to create a ticket. We would be happy to start this upgrade and related testing for you in a staging or development environment to ensure readiness.
During this upgrade, we would also like to encourage updates to PHP, Wordpress Core and all website plugins. This will allow us to test and verify that all current updates are working together on your website before these changes hit your production site.