MySQL is one of the most commonly used relational database management systems (RDBMS). It is used to store, organize, and manage data in various applications. MySQL uses different authentication plugins to ensure the security of the database. The caching_sha2_password is one such plugin used in MySQL version 8.0 and higher.
What is caching_sha2_password?
caching_sha2_password is an authentication plugin that provides a more secure way of storing passwords in MySQL. It uses SHA256 to hash the password and salts it with random bytes to make it harder to crack. This plugin was introduced in MySQL version 8.0 to replace the older, less secure mysql_native_password plugin.
The Error Message
When trying to connect to a MySQL server that is using the caching_sha2_password plugin with an older version of MySQL, users may encounter the following error message: “Authentication plugin ‘caching_sha2_password’ is not supported.”
Why does this error occur?
The error occurs because the older version of MySQL does not support the newer authentication plugin. The client and server versions must be the same or compatible with each other for successful authentication. If the client and server versions are not compatible, users will not be able to connect to the MySQL server.
How to Resolve the Issue
There are two ways to resolve the issue:
1. Upgrade MySQL Client
The easiest way to resolve this issue is to upgrade the client to a version that supports the caching_sha2_password plugin. Upgrading the client to version 8.0 or higher will allow successful authentication with the MySQL server.
2. Downgrade MySQL Server
Another way to resolve the issue is to downgrade the MySQL server to a version that supports the older authentication plugin. This, however, is not recommended as it may compromise the security of the database.
Conclusion
The caching_sha2_password authentication plugin provides a more secure way of storing passwords in MySQL. However, if the client and server versions are not compatible, users may encounter the “Authentication plugin ‘caching_sha2_password’ is not supported” error message. By upgrading the client or downgrading the server, users can resolve the issue and successfully connect to the MySQL server.