ConnectWise Automate now supports MySQL 8.4. In this blog, we’ll look at what this means for MSPs and what the upgrade process is like.
What’s New in MySQL 8.4?
MySQL 8.4 is the latest long-term support (LTS) branch. It’s the successor to MySQL 8.0, which goes end-of-life in April 2026. Being an LTS branch, its focus is on functionality and stability, making it suitable for use in critical production systems (like ConnectWise Automate).
MySQL 8.4 contains enhancements in a number of areas, including:
- Authentication security
- IO throughput
- Multithreading
- Buffer pool memory allocation
All of these will improve the security, stability, and performance of a typical ConnectWise Automate server.
Why Upgrade to MySQL 8.4 for Automate?
If you’re a ConnectWise Automate MSP, you might be wondering whether upgrading to MySQL 8.4 is worthwhile. It typically is, for a few reasons.
First, there are the performance enhancements mentioned above. Automate is tightly coupled with its MySQL database, so any improvements in database performance will yield improvements for the application user experience and overall stability. Much like a vehicle, keeping the engine running smoothly ensures an overall enjoyable driving experience.
Next, there is the supportability consideration. MySQL 8.0 reaches end of life in April 2026. Much like EoL for Windows versions, this primarily means no more vendor support or patches. It might not be an immediate operational concern, but eventually Automate will drop support for EoL MySQL versions (typically a few years after the EoL date; see our blog here). The largest concern is patching – and its intersection with security.
MySQL patches are released quarterly and include both bug and security fixes. It’s not widely discussed, but there are potentially significant implications for insurance (see our dedicated blog on the topic here).
Likewise, running EoL software with known vulnerabilities is problematic from a cybersecurity perspective – especially for any MSPs operating with a compliance framework (SOC 2, ISO 27001, etc.). Upgrading is definitely a priority from this perspective.
How to Upgrade Automate to MySQL 8.4
Upgrading MySQL is a nuanced project. There are several architectural changes, so a MySQL 8.0 configuration likely won’t be compatible with MySQL 8.4 without modification. There are two primary methods for upgrading a MySQL database, both worth reviewing.
The first method (which we don’t recommend) is the dump-and-reload method, as recommended historically by ConnectWise. This involves exporting all of the data, removing MySQL 8.0, installing MySQL 8.4, and importing the data into the new database. This process is convoluted, takes several hours, and is unnecessary for most scenarios (Oracle recommends it only in cases of database corruption).
The alternative is an in-place upgrade, which is what we typically recommend. It keeps the database intact and lets MySQL automatically upgrade metadata for the existing schemas once the new configuration is in place. The process (minus configuration updates and any associated troubleshooting) takes less than an hour in most cases, and we use this method for all of our clients who have our MySQL Maintenance Package offering.
Depending on the current configuration, changes to authentication could render the Automate server inoperable after an otherwise successful upgrade. Rebuilding the impacted accounts will be required – for this reason, we highly suggest taking good backups and attempting the upgrade in a test environment before upgrading a production ConnectWise Automate server to MySQL 8.4.
MySQL Upgrade Assistance
Configuring, upgrading, and maintaining MySQL databases is a niche skill that falls outside the skillset for the typical MSP. However, for both the initial version upgrade and ongoing security patching, taking care of these tasks is important for MSPs.
To address this need, here at Automation Theory, we created our MySQL Maintenance Package – a bundle of all of our MySQL offerings designed for MSPs running ConnectWise Automate. We handle version upgrades (like 8.0 to 8.4), quarterly patching, performance tuning, and schema maintenance. This keeps Automate secure and stable, enabling MSPs to better service their clients. You can find details about our offering here.
