Amazon Aurora MySQL 8.4 is now generally available
Amazon Aurora MySQL-Compatible Edition now supports MySQL 8.4, introducing aligned version numbering and enhanced security features. The release is designed for high performance and global availability.
Amazon has announced the general availability of Amazon Aurora MySQL-Compatible Edition with support for MySQL 8.4, a major version of the community MySQL Long Term Support (LTS). This release features compatibility with MySQL 8.4.7 and introduces aligned version numbering, ensuring that the version number used in Aurora matches the compatible community MySQL version. Aurora simplifies operations by managing the underlying patches automatically.
The new release targets major versions within 12 months of the community MySQL LTS releases, minor versions within three months, and an Aurora LTS minor within 12 months of each major release. For specifics on engine release objectives, users can refer to the Aurora and RDS open source release calendar announcement.
Security enhancements are a key feature of Aurora MySQL 8.4, as new clusters come with strengthened security defaults. TLS is enforced by default, supporting only TLS 1.2 and 1.3, while new accounts utilize the caching_sha2_password authentication plugin. Additionally, password validation policies can be customized through DB cluster parameter groups. Automated upgrade prechecks are available to identify compatibility issues before taking clusters offline, providing users with confidence during upgrades.
For those interested in upgrading to Aurora MySQL 8.4, options include using Amazon RDS Blue/Green Deployments, in-place upgrades, or restoring from a snapshot. Detailed guidance on performing major version upgrades is available in the Amazon Aurora User Guide. Migration from external MySQL sources is also possible using AWS Database Migration Service or Percona XtraBackup.
Amazon Aurora MySQL 8.4 is accessible in all AWS Regions where Aurora MySQL is offered. The service is designed for high performance and availability on a global scale, maintaining full MySQL compatibility. It offers features such as scale-to-zero serverless compute, Aurora Global Database for multi-region resilience, Aurora I/O-Optimized for enhanced price performance on I/O-intensive workloads, and built-in security with continuous backups. For those looking to begin with Amazon Aurora, further information is available on the getting started page.