How to install DragonFly DB on Rocky Linux

Sam

Code for this tutorial can be found on GitHub

Linux

Rocky

Dragonfly

Redis

Introduction to DragonFly DB

DragonFly DB is a modern, high-performance in-memory database that offers developers a powerful alternative to traditional databases like Redis. Designed for speed and efficiency, it provides advanced features that make it an excellent choice for caching, real-time applications, and complex data processing.

Why Choose DragonFly DB?

Before we dive into installation, let's understand why DragonFly DB might be the right database for your project:

  1. Exceptional Performance: Significantly faster than traditional in-memory databases
  2. Redis Compatibility: Supports most Redis commands, making migration simple
  3. Advanced Data Structures: Offers complex data manipulation capabilities
  4. Persistent Storage: Provides optional data durability
  5. Memory Efficiency: Optimized memory usage compared to other in-memory databases

Prerequisites

Before installing DragonFly DB, ensure your Rocky Linux system meets these requirements:

  • Rocky Linux 8 or 9
  • Root or sudo access
  • Minimum 2 GB RAM (4 GB recommended)
  • Updated system packages

Installation Steps

1. Update System Packages

First, refresh your system packages to ensure you have the latest security updates:

sudo dnf update -y

2. Install Dependencies

DragonFly DB requires some core development tools:

sudo dnf install -y gcc-c++ make cmake

3. Add DragonFly DB Repository

Rocky Linux uses DNF package management. We'll add the official DragonFly DB repository:

sudo dnf config-manager --add-repo=https://download.dragonflydb.org/rocky/dragonflydb.repo

4. Install DragonFly DB

Now, install the database with a simple DNF command:

sudo dnf install -y dragonfly

If you plan to access DragonFly DB remotely, open the default port:

sudo firewall-cmd --permanent --add-port=6379/tcp
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

Starting and Managing DragonFly DB

Start the Service

sudo systemctl start dragonfly

Enable Automatic Start on Boot

sudo systemctl enable dragonfly

Check Service Status

sudo systemctl status dragonfly

Basic Configuration

The default configuration works well for most use cases, but you can customize /etc/dragonfly/dragonfly.conf to fine-tune performance.

Example Configuration Snippet

# Maximum memory allocation
max-memory-limit: 4GB

# Persistence settings
save-schedule:
  - "900 1"   # Save every 15 minutes if at least 1 key changed

Connecting to DragonFly DB

You can use Redis clients to interact with DragonFly DB:

# Install Redis CLI (if not already installed)
sudo dnf install -y redis

# Connect to local DragonFly instance
redis-cli

Security Considerations

  1. Configure authentication by setting a password in the configuration file
  2. Use firewall rules to restrict access
  3. Keep the database and system updated regularly

Troubleshooting Common Issues

  • Connection Refused: Check if the service is running
  • Performance Concerns: Adjust memory limits in the configuration
  • Compatibility: Not all Redis commands are supported; consult documentation

Next Steps

Explore DragonFly DB's advanced features:

  • Implement caching strategies
  • Experiment with data structures
  • Integrate with your applications

Vizalo Hosting Tip

Running a high-performance database like DragonFly DB requires robust hosting infrastructure. Our cloud hosting solutions are optimized for databases, ensuring maximum performance and reliability.

Conclusion

DragonFly DB offers a compelling database solution for modern applications. By following these steps, you've successfully installed and configured a powerful, Redis-compatible database on Rocky Linux.

Table of Contents