Is MariaDB supported by the ODBC action?#

This article explains MariaDB support in ODBC database actions.

Question#

Is MariaDB supported by the ODBC action?

Answer#

Yes, MariaDB is fully supported by the ODBC action and can be used as a direct replacement for MySQL.

Background#

MariaDB is a free and open-source alternative to MySQL. It is a fork of MySQL, initiated by the original MySQL developers after Oracle acquired Sun Microsystems (the former owner of MySQL). MariaDB was designed to be binary-compatible with MySQL, which generally makes switching from MySQL to MariaDB very easy.

Key characteristics of MariaDB:

  • Open Source: MariaDB is consistently Open Source under a license that guarantees free use and further development

  • Binary Compatibility: Designed to be binary-compatible with MySQL, making migration straightforward

  • Independent Development: Continuous, independent development separate from MySQL

  • Performance: Often preferred as an alternative due to sometimes better performance characteristics

Configuration#

To use MariaDB with the ODBC action:

  1. Install MariaDB ODBC Driver: - Download and install the MariaDB Connector/ODBC driver from the official MariaDB website - Ensure you install the correct version (32-bit or 64-bit) to match your Adiscon product installation

  2. Configure System DSN: - Open the ODBC Data Source Administrator (use the 32-bit version if your product runs in 32-bit mode) - Create a new System DSN - Select the MariaDB ODBC driver - Configure the connection settings (server, database, credentials)

  3. Configure Database Action: - In your Adiscon product configuration, select the ODBC Database action - Choose the MariaDB System DSN you created - Test the connection using the “Verify Database” button - Create the database tables if needed using the “Create Database” button

Note: The configuration process is identical to configuring MySQL, as MariaDB uses MySQL-compatible drivers and protocols.

Modern Deployment Recommendations#

For current MariaDB deployments, we recommend the following:

  1. Use a current MariaDB server and connector - Use currently supported MariaDB server releases - Use a current MariaDB Connector/ODBC package from the official source

  2. Use a dedicated database account - Create a dedicated user for the Adiscon product - Grant only the required privileges on the target database/schema

  3. Enable secure transport for remote database connections - Use TLS between the Adiscon host and MariaDB server when traffic crosses networks - Configure certificate settings in the DSN/driver according to your security policy

  4. Use UTF-8 consistently - Prefer UTF-8/utf8mb4 settings for server, database, and connector - This prevents character conversion issues in international log messages

  5. Validate end-to-end before production rollout - Use “Verify Database” in the ODBC action - Insert sample messages and verify they are written and readable as expected

Common Modern Troubleshooting Checks#

If connection tests fail, verify:

  • Driver architecture matches the product runtime (32-bit vs 64-bit)

  • Host, port, database name, and credentials in the DSN are correct

  • MariaDB user authentication method is supported by the installed connector

  • TLS requirements (if enabled) match server and connector configuration

  • Firewall rules allow database traffic

Additional Information#

For more information about database actions, see the ODBC Database Options documentation in your product’s manual.

For MariaDB-specific information, visit the official MariaDB website.