From 17 August, we will be starting a phased upgrade to MariaDB 11.8. You do not need to do anything yourself, and your website will continue to function as normal. The upgrade will be carried out over a period of approximately three months, during which we will check each server once the changes have been made. ## Do you still have any questions about upgrading to MariaDB 11.8? [Schedule a no-obligation consultation](https://www.loft33.com/en/schedule-a-consultation/) ## What exactly is changing? MariaDB is the database software that powers many websites and web applications. A database processes and stores, amongst other things, website content, settings, user data, products and orders. Exactly what data is stored depends on the type of website and the applications used. Our servers are already using MariaDB. From 17 August, we will begin the transition to MariaDB 11.8. This is a stable Long-Term Support release. This means that this version will be maintained and supported for an extended period. The upgrade will not take place on all servers at the same time. We will carry it out in phases over a period of approximately three months. After each upgrade, we will check that the server and the websites hosted on it are functioning normally. ## You don’t need to do anything yourself No technical action is required on your part for this database upgrade. Your website, applications and data will remain within the same hosting environment—the same environment in which LOFT 33 also builds and manages websites and online shops. For this upgrade, you do not need to: - change any settings; - move any data; - update any individual plug-ins or extensions; - make any changes to your website. Websites and applications built using platforms such as WordPress, WooCommerce, Joomla and Drupal will continue to function as normal. It is, of course, still important to maintain your website, plug-ins and extensions regularly. However, no separate action is required on your part for this specific upgrade to MariaDB 11.8. If your website includes extensive custom functionality, you do not automatically need to make any changes either. However, you are welcome to contact us if you have any questions about a specific application or integration. ## What are the benefits of MariaDB 11.8? MariaDB 11.8 includes several technical improvements that further prepare our hosting environment for future applications. ### Improved processing of complex database queries. A website constantly sends queries to the database. For example, an online shop may request products belonging to a particular category, price range or colour. A customer portal may retrieve orders by date, while a reporting tool may combine data from different sources. MariaDB 11.8 can process these types of complex search, filtering and reporting queries more efficiently. This can be particularly beneficial for websites that combine large volumes of data. The actual impact will always depend on the website, the database and the applications being used. ### Better optimised for SSD storage The new version is better optimised for the high-speed SSD storage on which your website already runs. This can contribute to more efficient processing of database data. This does not mean that every page will automatically become noticeably faster. Website performance also depends on factors such as the website code, images, plug-ins, caching and external integrations. ### New possibilities with vector search MariaDB 11.8 also supports vector search. This technology enables an application to search based on meaning and context, rather than relying solely on exact keyword matches. In future projects, vector search could, for example, be used for: - smarter search functionality in an online shop; - searching technical documentation; - digital assistants that answer questions based on your own documents; - applications that recognise similar content. Existing websites do not use this technology automatically. Vector search mainly offers new possibilities for applications that are developed or expanded in the future. Are you considering such an extension for your website? [Discuss your specific requirements with LOFT 33.](https://www.loft33.com/en/schedule-a-consultation/) ## Collaboration with the MariaDB Foundation Our hosting partner is a Gold Sponsor of the MariaDB Foundation, an independent non-profit organisation that supports the open development of MariaDB. The collaboration with the MariaDB Foundation goes beyond financial support: it helps to integrate the database software more deeply into SPanel, the control panel used within our hosting environment. This allows new MariaDB features to be better integrated into the day-to-day management of websites, databases and backups. ## Restore to a specific point in time One of the planned features is point-in-time recovery. In the future, this feature will allow a database to be restored or downloaded as it existed at a specific point in time. For example, suppose an error occurs in an online shop database today. Point-in-time recovery could make it possible to restore the database to its exact state at 08:53 yesterday, rather than only restoring it from a standard daily backup. This functionality is still planned and is not yet available. The intention is to offer this premium feature at no additional cost in the future. As soon as more information and a concrete implementation schedule become available, we will provide further updates. ## Questions about the upgrade? You do not need to take any action yourself for the upgrade to MariaDB 11.8. We will monitor the phased rollout and check the servers after each update. If you have any questions about the upgrade, your hosting environment or a website with specific custom functionality, please feel free to contact us. We will be happy to review your website with you and determine whether there are any specific points that require attention. You can also contact us if you would like to learn more about the future possibilities offered by MariaDB 11.8, such as smarter search functionality, applications based on your own documentation or point-in-time recovery. [Schedule a no-obligation consultation ](https://www.loft33.com/en/schedule-a-consultation/)if you would prefer to discuss these possibilities with us. ## Zorgeloos mee met de nieuwste technologie We continuously monitor the technical foundations of your website, so you can focus on your business. This MariaDB upgrade is also fully managed and monitored by us, helping to ensure that your website remains secure, stable and performs at its best. [Do you still have a question about this upgrade?](https://www.loft33.com/en/schedule-a-consultation/) ## Frequently asked questions about MariaDB 11.8 .fusion-faqs-wrapper #accordian-3 .fusion-panel { border-color:var(--awb-color3); }.fusion-faqs-wrapper #accordian-3 .fusion-panel:hover{ border-color: var(--awb-color3); }.fusion-accordian #accordian-3 .panel-title a .fa-fusion-box:before{ font-size: 16px;width: 16px;}.fusion-accordian #accordian-3 .panel-title a .fa-fusion-box{ color: var(--awb-color1);}.fusion-accordian #accordian-3 .panel-title a{}.fusion-accordian #accordian-3 .panel-title a:not(:hover){}.fusion-accordian #accordian-3 .toggle-content{}.fusion-accordian #accordian-3 .fa-fusion-box { background-color: var(--awb-color5) !important;border-color: var(--awb-color5) !important;}.fusion-accordian #accordian-3 .panel-title a:hover,.fusion-accordian #accordian-3 .panel-title a.hover { color: var(--awb-color5);}.fusion-faq-shortcode .fusion-accordian #accordian-3 .fusion-toggle-boxed-mode:hover .panel-title a { color: var(--awb-color5);}.fusion-accordian #accordian-3 .panel-title .active .fa-fusion-box,.fusion-accordian #accordian-3 .panel-title a:hover .fa-fusion-box,.fusion-accordian #accordian-3 .panel-title a.hover .fa-fusion-box { background-color: var(--awb-color5)!important;border-color: var(--awb-color5)!important;} Moet ik zelf iets doen voor de upgrade naar MariaDB 11.8?[loft33](https://www.loft33.com/author/loft33/)2026-08-19T13:43:06+00:00 ### [ Moet ik zelf iets doen voor de upgrade naar MariaDB 11.8?](#collapse-3-10226) Nee. Je hoeft geen instellingen te veranderen, gegevens te verplaatsen of technische aanpassingen uit te voeren. De upgrade gebeurt binnen de bestaande hostingomgeving en wordt door de hostingpartner opgevolgd. Na de aanpassing wordt iedere server gecontroleerd. Je website en database blijven binnen dezelfde omgeving bewaard. Will my website remain accessible during the upgrade?[loft33](https://www.loft33.com/author/loft33/)2026-08-12T13:45:02+00:00 ### [ Will my website remain accessible during the upgrade?](#collapse-3-9871) The upgrade will be carried out in a way that allows websites and applications to continue operating as normal. The servers will be upgraded in phases over a period of approximately three months, with checks performed after each upgrade. Although technical work can never be entirely risk-free, you do not need to schedule any maintenance window or make any changes yourself. Do I need to update WordPress, Joomla or my plug-ins?[loft33](https://www.loft33.com/author/loft33/)2026-08-12T13:45:02+00:00 ### [ Do I need to update WordPress, Joomla or my plug-ins?](#collapse-3-9870) For this specific database upgrade, you do not need to update WordPress, Joomla, WooCommerce, Drupal, plug-ins or extensions separately. Regular website maintenance remains important for security and compatibility, but the MariaDB upgrade itself does not require any additional updates or action on your part. What is vector search?[loft33](https://www.loft33.com/author/loft33/)2026-08-12T13:45:02+00:00 ### [ What is vector search?](#collapse-3-9869) Vector search is a search technology that takes meaning and context into account. A traditional search function often looks for exact keyword matches, whereas vector search can also find content that is semantically related. In the future, this technology could be used for applications such as smarter product search functionality or assistants that find answers within your own documentation. What does point-in-time recovery mean?[loft33](https://www.loft33.com/author/loft33/)2026-08-12T13:45:01+00:00 ### [ What does point-in-time recovery mean?](#collapse-3-9868) Point-in-time recovery makes it possible to restore a database to a specific point in time, for example, yesterday at 08:53. This feature is not yet available but is planned as a future enhancement to SPanel. The intention is to offer this premium functionality at no additional cost. When will I know that the upgrade has been completed on my server?[loft33](https://www.loft33.com/author/loft33/)2026-08-12T13:45:01+00:00 ### [ When will I know that the upgrade has been completed on my server?](#collapse-3-9867) Each server is checked individually after the upgrade. However, no separate notification will be sent to each customer for this upgrade. The transition is deliberately carried out in the background, so there is nothing you need to plan or monitor. If you would like confirmation of the status of your specific server, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to check this for you. What if I notice a problem with my website during the rollout?[loft33](https://www.loft33.com/author/loft33/)2026-08-12T13:45:01+00:00 ### [ What if I notice a problem with my website during the rollout?](#collapse-3-9866) In that case, simply contact us as you would with any other issue. We will determine whether the problem is related to the upgrade or has another cause and resolve it as quickly as possible.