diff --git a/.github/workflows/assign_milestone.yml b/.github/workflows/assign_milestone.yml
index 0f09e05b6e0..12c651bc958 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/assign_milestone.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/assign_milestone.yml
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Assign Milestone
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
     permissions:
       pull-requests: write
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/auto_approve_pr.yml b/.github/workflows/auto_approve_pr.yml
index 6985f78e224..c6a07ad9965 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/auto_approve_pr.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/auto_approve_pr.yml
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ permissions:
 jobs:
   auto_approve:
     name: Auto Approve Pull Request
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     permissions:
       pull-requests: write  # only given on local PRs, forks run with `read` access
diff --git a/.github/workflows/check_label.yml b/.github/workflows/check_label.yml
index 15b3ae3ec15..2c6439a29f9 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/check_label.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/check_label.yml
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ jobs:
   check_pull_request_labels:
     name: Check Pull Request labels
     timeout-minutes: 10
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
     if: github.repository == 'vitessio/vitess'
     steps:
       - name: Release Notes label
diff --git a/.github/workflows/check_make_vtadmin_authz_testgen.yml b/.github/workflows/check_make_vtadmin_authz_testgen.yml
index 74791f72301..4766ce4c2ea 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/check_make_vtadmin_authz_testgen.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/check_make_vtadmin_authz_testgen.yml
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ permissions: read-all
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Check Make vtadmin_authz_testgen
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
       run: |
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ jobs:
       if: steps.skip-workflow.outputs.skip-workflow == 'false' && steps.changes.outputs.vtadmin_changes == 'true'
       run: |
         sudo apt-get update
-        sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget
+        sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget
         sudo service etcd stop
         go mod download
         go install golang.org/x/tools/cmd/goimports@latest
diff --git a/.github/workflows/check_make_vtadmin_web_proto.yml b/.github/workflows/check_make_vtadmin_web_proto.yml
index 24b80f25a7b..c44036f9938 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/check_make_vtadmin_web_proto.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/check_make_vtadmin_web_proto.yml
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ permissions: read-all
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Check Make VTAdmin Web Proto
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
       run: |
diff --git a/.github/workflows/close_stale_pull_requests.yml b/.github/workflows/close_stale_pull_requests.yml
index 7b994d7fff2..1edda7cee91 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/close_stale_pull_requests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/close_stale_pull_requests.yml
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ permissions: read-all
 
 jobs:
   close_stale_pull_requests:
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
     permissions:
       pull-requests: write
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_12.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_12.yml
index b41f8f9e164..feb223d2c4f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_12.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_12.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (12)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_13.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_13.yml
index a9babe1662b..1cc20e4a75e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_13.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_13.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (13)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_15.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_15.yml
index f9baea87626..61d095aec00 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_15.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_15.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (15)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_18.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_18.yml
index 90d663856d8..2c59937aca5 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_18.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_18.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (18)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_21.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_21.yml
index 59367a098c8..c6ad135ce8c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_21.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_21.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (21)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_backup_pitr.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_backup_pitr.yml
index 6759cc3990e..a23e969e749 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_backup_pitr.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_backup_pitr.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (backup_pitr)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_backup_pitr_xtrabackup.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_backup_pitr_xtrabackup.yml
index 0a3ea089289..39e3ca4c332 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_backup_pitr_xtrabackup.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_backup_pitr_xtrabackup.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (backup_pitr_xtrabackup)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ jobs:
         sudo apt-get -qq update
 
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y percona-server-server percona-server-client make unzip g++ etcd git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y percona-server-server percona-server-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_ers_prs_newfeatures_heavy.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_ers_prs_newfeatures_heavy.yml
index be9b45b6203..63a8df4364d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_ers_prs_newfeatures_heavy.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_ers_prs_newfeatures_heavy.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (ers_prs_newfeatures_heavy)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_mysql80.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_mysql80.yml
index a435e0ba4d3..987af7cd5b1 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_mysql80.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_mysql80.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (mysql80)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_mysql_server_vault.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_mysql_server_vault.yml
index 2fb90fdda86..054a97d6e5c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_mysql_server_vault.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_mysql_server_vault.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (mysql_server_vault)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_revert.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_revert.yml
index 8eaa39034d5..92d517c87c5 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_revert.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_revert.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (onlineddl_revert)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -97,12 +97,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_scheduler.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_scheduler.yml
index b477f154b0c..c39d57af5e3 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_scheduler.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_scheduler.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (onlineddl_scheduler)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -97,12 +97,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_vrepl.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_vrepl.yml
index c2fc4fc41b8..94ac7e48cc9 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_vrepl.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_vrepl.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (onlineddl_vrepl)
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1
+    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -97,12 +97,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_vrepl_stress.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_vrepl_stress.yml
index 54e0440526e..8e9c204da75 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_vrepl_stress.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_vrepl_stress.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (onlineddl_vrepl_stress)
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1
+    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -97,12 +97,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_vrepl_stress_suite.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_vrepl_stress_suite.yml
index 4cef97275dd..abdc0770aa8 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_vrepl_stress_suite.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_vrepl_stress_suite.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (onlineddl_vrepl_stress_suite)
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1
+    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -97,12 +97,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_vrepl_suite.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_vrepl_suite.yml
index d654fe8ef2e..d122acb35c8 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_vrepl_suite.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_onlineddl_vrepl_suite.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (onlineddl_vrepl_suite)
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1
+    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -97,12 +97,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_schemadiff_vrepl.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_schemadiff_vrepl.yml
index 5fdd74eb734..feebf90d6c7 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_schemadiff_vrepl.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_schemadiff_vrepl.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (schemadiff_vrepl)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -97,12 +97,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_tabletmanager_consul.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_tabletmanager_consul.yml
index af575d664e7..8235ad4d788 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_tabletmanager_consul.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_tabletmanager_consul.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (tabletmanager_consul)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_tabletmanager_tablegc.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_tabletmanager_tablegc.yml
index 191ac912815..7d83f12efd2 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_tabletmanager_tablegc.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_tabletmanager_tablegc.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (tabletmanager_tablegc)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_tabletmanager_throttler_topo.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_tabletmanager_throttler_topo.yml
index a762399b1ec..0de32d6f6b2 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_tabletmanager_throttler_topo.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_tabletmanager_throttler_topo.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (tabletmanager_throttler_topo)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_topo_connection_cache.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_topo_connection_cache.yml
index 5214185a9d8..6e3bc905681 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_topo_connection_cache.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_topo_connection_cache.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (topo_connection_cache)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_across_db_versions.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_across_db_versions.yml
index 1ffe9e386da..46fb667ea9a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_across_db_versions.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_across_db_versions.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vreplication_across_db_versions)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_basic.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_basic.yml
index 1a39c3e64f2..189b7f58eb6 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_basic.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_basic.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vreplication_basic)
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1
+    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_cellalias.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_cellalias.yml
index 12da5acfb87..e9dae5fc3bc 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_cellalias.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_cellalias.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vreplication_cellalias)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_copy_parallel.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_copy_parallel.yml
index 79d9fa53218..e1243807470 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_copy_parallel.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_copy_parallel.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vreplication_copy_parallel)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_foreign_key_stress.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_foreign_key_stress.yml
index da2fd28c111..bcd6586374b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_foreign_key_stress.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_foreign_key_stress.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vreplication_foreign_key_stress)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_mariadb_to_mysql.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_mariadb_to_mysql.yml
index a79a773956f..15537af28bc 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_mariadb_to_mysql.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_mariadb_to_mysql.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vreplication_mariadb_to_mysql)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_migrate_vdiff2_convert_tz.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_migrate_vdiff2_convert_tz.yml
index 6829a80204a..f1185cb660d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_migrate_vdiff2_convert_tz.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_migrate_vdiff2_convert_tz.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vreplication_migrate_vdiff2_convert_tz)
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1
+    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_multi_tenant.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_multi_tenant.yml
index 3f0c2d30a66..915e15633b4 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_multi_tenant.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_multi_tenant.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vreplication_multi_tenant)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_partial_movetables_and_materialize.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_partial_movetables_and_materialize.yml
index 0a556166d2b..7755a16819f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_partial_movetables_and_materialize.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_partial_movetables_and_materialize.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vreplication_partial_movetables_and_materialize)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_v2.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_v2.yml
index 2a56d6ca0a3..f8ff8cefd3c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_v2.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vreplication_v2.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vreplication_v2)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vstream.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vstream.yml
index b608f52c8d5..073fbf2ea14 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vstream.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vstream.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vstream)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtbackup.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtbackup.yml
index 11fb549e2b0..534f3856bba 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtbackup.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtbackup.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vtbackup)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtctlbackup_sharded_clustertest_heavy.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtctlbackup_sharded_clustertest_heavy.yml
index 720eee1db33..15d13de4d1c 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtctlbackup_sharded_clustertest_heavy.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtctlbackup_sharded_clustertest_heavy.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vtctlbackup_sharded_clustertest_heavy)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_concurrentdml.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_concurrentdml.yml
index 76ac790070a..d184a7f52c8 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_concurrentdml.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_concurrentdml.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vtgate_concurrentdml)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_foreignkey_stress.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_foreignkey_stress.yml
index 16cf479a7ac..bc85bd8433a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_foreignkey_stress.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_foreignkey_stress.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vtgate_foreignkey_stress)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_gen4.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_gen4.yml
index 62f625ddcd3..991bd140399 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_gen4.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_gen4.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vtgate_gen4)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_general_heavy.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_general_heavy.yml
index 829005c0356..0dad3974293 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_general_heavy.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_general_heavy.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vtgate_general_heavy)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_godriver.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_godriver.yml
index e7794f2b07a..572622352c8 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_godriver.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_godriver.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vtgate_godriver)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_partial_keyspace.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_partial_keyspace.yml
index ff409754a32..0b3906fdebd 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_partial_keyspace.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_partial_keyspace.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vtgate_partial_keyspace)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_queries.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_queries.yml
index 88f6b732afb..e26c26b14f8 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_queries.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_queries.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vtgate_queries)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_readafterwrite.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_readafterwrite.yml
index ff1d1f37385..ebe3a216547 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_readafterwrite.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_readafterwrite.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vtgate_readafterwrite)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_reservedconn.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_reservedconn.yml
index ad72da10e91..3d4490fab40 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_reservedconn.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_reservedconn.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vtgate_reservedconn)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_schema.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_schema.yml
index b45ed134d7c..a1872e5f915 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_schema.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_schema.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vtgate_schema)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_schema_tracker.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_schema_tracker.yml
index 9aaafd6547f..ef8f3f0953f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_schema_tracker.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_schema_tracker.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vtgate_schema_tracker)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_tablet_healthcheck_cache.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_tablet_healthcheck_cache.yml
index 16a196273a4..5011f6482f1 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_tablet_healthcheck_cache.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_tablet_healthcheck_cache.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vtgate_tablet_healthcheck_cache)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_topo.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_topo.yml
index 054a3009218..080e7785013 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_topo.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_topo.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vtgate_topo)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_topo_consul.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_topo_consul.yml
index 0f59b679187..376a2a8eb2e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_topo_consul.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_topo_consul.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vtgate_topo_consul)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_topo_etcd.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_topo_etcd.yml
index d118fed401b..c29166fe973 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_topo_etcd.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_topo_etcd.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vtgate_topo_etcd)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_transaction.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_transaction.yml
index 0b678885a75..54459bc7dc4 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_transaction.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_transaction.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vtgate_transaction)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_unsharded.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_unsharded.yml
index 90b636643df..c4cd7a1214e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_unsharded.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_unsharded.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vtgate_unsharded)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_vindex_heavy.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_vindex_heavy.yml
index ac94606d3d9..0dc21d3c26a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_vindex_heavy.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_vindex_heavy.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vtgate_vindex_heavy)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_vschema.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_vschema.yml
index 64c1c4e79c1..6d63725ab2f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_vschema.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtgate_vschema.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vtgate_vschema)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtorc.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtorc.yml
index 9c2b5e69bfd..b0926ee831b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtorc.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vtorc.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vtorc)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -105,12 +105,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vttablet_prscomplex.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vttablet_prscomplex.yml
index 0292f893ea6..7925fa9542d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vttablet_prscomplex.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_vttablet_prscomplex.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (vttablet_prscomplex)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -96,12 +96,21 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_xb_backup.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_xb_backup.yml
index cda79d9d6ab..f2a15d31fa2 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_xb_backup.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_xb_backup.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (xb_backup)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ jobs:
         sudo apt-get -qq update
 
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y percona-server-server percona-server-client make unzip g++ etcd git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y percona-server-server percona-server-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_xb_recovery.yml b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_xb_recovery.yml
index 4542d46df93..afcd2ef7d73 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_xb_recovery.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/cluster_endtoend_xb_recovery.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Cluster (xb_recovery)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ jobs:
         sudo apt-get -qq update
 
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y percona-server-server percona-server-client make unzip g++ etcd git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y percona-server-server percona-server-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/code_freeze.yml b/.github/workflows/code_freeze.yml
index 92ef037ee6b..a66fb6e8b2b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/code_freeze.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/code_freeze.yml
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ permissions: read-all
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Code Freeze
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
     steps:
     - name: Fail if Code Freeze is enabled
       run: |
diff --git a/.github/workflows/codecov.yml b/.github/workflows/codecov.yml
index c0c97ae7107..725581ad415 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/codecov.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/codecov.yml
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ permissions: read-all
 jobs:
   test:
     name: Code Coverage
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1
+    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Check out code
diff --git a/.github/workflows/codeql_analysis.yml b/.github/workflows/codeql_analysis.yml
index 0ec832c80a7..f70fa257d13 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/codeql_analysis.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/codeql_analysis.yml
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ permissions: read-all
 jobs:
   analyze:
     name: Analyze
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
     permissions:
       actions: read
       contents: read
@@ -59,13 +59,13 @@ jobs:
           sudo rm -rf /etc/mysql
           # Install mysql80
           sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
-          wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+          wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
           echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
           sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
           sudo apt-get update
           sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get install -y mysql-server mysql-client
           # Install everything else we need, and configure
-          sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata
+          sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata
           sudo service mysql stop
           sudo service etcd stop
           sudo bash -c "echo '/usr/sbin/mysqld { }' > /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.mysqld" # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/mariadb-10.1/+bug/1806263
diff --git a/.github/workflows/create_release.yml b/.github/workflows/create_release.yml
index 07019fd99d7..27308b35ac7 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/create_release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/create_release.yml
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ permissions: read-all
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Create Release
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
     permissions:
       contents: write
     steps:
diff --git a/.github/workflows/docker_build_images.yml b/.github/workflows/docker_build_images.yml
index 59885351808..7e4a8ef8bc1 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/docker_build_images.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/docker_build_images.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ permissions: read-all
 jobs:
   build_and_push_lite:
     name: Build and push vitess/lite Docker images
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1
+    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
     if: github.repository == 'vitessio/vitess'
 
     strategy:
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ jobs:
   build_and_push_components:
     name: Build and push vitess components Docker images
     needs: build_and_push_lite
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1
+    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
     if: github.repository == 'vitessio/vitess'
 
     strategy:
@@ -166,4 +166,4 @@ jobs:
           tags: ${{ env.DOCKER_TAG_DEFAULT_DEBIAN }}
           build-args: |
             VT_BASE_VER=${{ env.TAG_NAME }}
-            DEBIAN_VER=${{ matrix.debian }}-slim
\ No newline at end of file
+            DEBIAN_VER=${{ matrix.debian }}-slim
diff --git a/.github/workflows/docker_test_cluster_10.yml b/.github/workflows/docker_test_cluster_10.yml
index ff74c45ab9f..0c02a3358ec 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/docker_test_cluster_10.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/docker_test_cluster_10.yml
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ jobs:
 
   build:
     name: Docker Test Cluster 10
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
diff --git a/.github/workflows/docker_test_cluster_25.yml b/.github/workflows/docker_test_cluster_25.yml
index 1b10f022f21..423322d4eb8 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/docker_test_cluster_25.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/docker_test_cluster_25.yml
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ jobs:
 
   build:
     name: Docker Test Cluster 25
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
diff --git a/.github/workflows/e2e_race.yml b/.github/workflows/e2e_race.yml
index b78ab00669c..dae5057d329 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/e2e_race.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/e2e_race.yml
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ jobs:
 
   build:
     name: End-to-End Test (Race)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
       run: |
@@ -65,13 +65,13 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get update
         
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils
+        sudo apt-get install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
         sudo ln -s /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.mysqld /etc/apparmor.d/disable/
diff --git a/.github/workflows/endtoend.yml b/.github/workflows/endtoend.yml
index 4e3958eda3a..8e94abeb1c6 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/endtoend.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/endtoend.yml
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ jobs:
 
   build:
     name: End-to-End Test
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
       run: |
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ jobs:
       if: steps.skip-workflow.outputs.skip-workflow == 'false' && steps.changes.outputs.end_to_end == 'true'
       run: |
         sudo apt-get update
-        sudo apt-get install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget
+        sudo apt-get install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
         sudo ln -s /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.mysqld /etc/apparmor.d/disable/
diff --git a/.github/workflows/local_example.yml b/.github/workflows/local_example.yml
index e635ad22859..048535f8e3d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/local_example.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/local_example.yml
@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@ permissions: read-all
 jobs:
 
   build:
-    name: Local example using ${{ matrix.topo }} on ubuntu-22.04
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1
+    name: Local example using ${{ matrix.topo }} on Ubuntu
+    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
     strategy:
       matrix:
         topo: [consul,etcd,zk2]
@@ -73,24 +73,6 @@ jobs:
     - name: Get dependencies
       if: steps.skip-workflow.outputs.skip-workflow == 'false' && steps.changes.outputs.examples == 'true'
       run: |
-        if [ ${{matrix.os}} = "ubuntu-22.04" ]; then
-          # Get key to latest MySQL repo
-          sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
-          # Setup MySQL 8.0
-          wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
-          echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
-          sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
-          sudo apt-get update
-        
-          # Install everything else we need, and configure
-          sudo apt-get install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata
-          sudo service mysql stop
-          sudo service etcd stop
-          sudo ln -s /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.mysqld /etc/apparmor.d/disable/
-          sudo apparmor_parser -R /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.mysqld
-        elif [ ${{matrix.os}} = "macos-latest" ]; then
-          brew install mysql@5.7 make unzip etcd curl git wget
-        fi
         go mod download
 
     - name: Run make minimaltools
diff --git a/.github/workflows/region_example.yml b/.github/workflows/region_example.yml
index 2ac44b1a05c..4b150fd0a47 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/region_example.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/region_example.yml
@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@ permissions: read-all
 jobs:
 
   build:
-    name: Region Sharding example using ${{ matrix.topo }} on ubuntu-22.04
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1
+    name: Region Sharding example using ${{ matrix.topo }} on Ubuntu
+    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
     strategy:
       matrix:
         topo: [etcd]
@@ -73,24 +73,6 @@ jobs:
     - name: Get dependencies
       if: steps.skip-workflow.outputs.skip-workflow == 'false' && steps.changes.outputs.examples == 'true'
       run: |
-        if [ ${{matrix.os}} = "ubuntu-22.04" ]; then
-          # Get key to latest MySQL repo
-          sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
-          # Setup MySQL 8.0
-          wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
-          echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
-          sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
-          sudo apt-get update
-
-          # Install everything else we need, and configure
-          sudo apt-get install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata
-          sudo service mysql stop
-          sudo service etcd stop
-          sudo ln -s /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.mysqld /etc/apparmor.d/disable/
-          sudo apparmor_parser -R /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.mysqld
-        elif [ ${{matrix.os}} = "macos-latest" ]; then
-          brew install mysql@5.7 make unzip etcd curl git wget
-        fi
         go mod download
 
     - name: Run make minimaltools
diff --git a/.github/workflows/static_checks_etc.yml b/.github/workflows/static_checks_etc.yml
index 11473b742a5..ef04667060e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/static_checks_etc.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/static_checks_etc.yml
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ permissions: read-all
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Static Code Checks Etc
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
       - name: Skip CI
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ jobs:
         if: steps.skip-workflow.outputs.skip-workflow == 'false' && (steps.changes.outputs.parser_changes == 'true' || steps.changes.outputs.go_files == 'true')
         run: |
           sudo apt-get update
-          sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget
+          sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget
           sudo service etcd stop
           go mod download
 
diff --git a/.github/workflows/unit_race.yml b/.github/workflows/unit_race.yml
index fa31dcac8f3..4855d3b557e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/unit_race.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/unit_race.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ jobs:
 
   build:
     name: Unit Test (Race)
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1
+    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
       run: |
diff --git a/.github/workflows/unit_race_evalengine.yml b/.github/workflows/unit_race_evalengine.yml
index 67eb6cf20ec..4832aae6186 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/unit_race_evalengine.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/unit_race_evalengine.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ jobs:
 
   build:
     name: Unit Test (Evalengine_Race)
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1
+    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
       run: |
diff --git a/.github/workflows/unit_test_evalengine_mysql57.yml b/.github/workflows/unit_test_evalengine_mysql57.yml
index a1aa68fd418..586069fc183 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/unit_test_evalengine_mysql57.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/unit_test_evalengine_mysql57.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   test:
     name: Unit Test (evalengine_mysql57)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -89,31 +89,36 @@ jobs:
       if: steps.skip-workflow.outputs.skip-workflow == 'false' && steps.changes.outputs.unit_tests == 'true'
       run: |
         export DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive"
-        sudo apt-get -qq update
+        sudo apt-get update
 
         # Uninstall any previously installed MySQL first
         sudo systemctl stop apparmor
-        sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get -qq remove -y --purge mysql-server mysql-client mysql-common
-        sudo apt-get -qq -y autoremove
-        sudo apt-get -qq -y autoclean
+        sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get remove -y --purge mysql-server mysql-client mysql-common
+        sudo apt-get -y autoremove
+        sudo apt-get -y autoclean
         sudo deluser mysql
         sudo rm -rf /var/lib/mysql
         sudo rm -rf /etc/mysql
 
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
-
-        # mysql57
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         # Bionic packages are still compatible for Jammy since there's no MySQL 5.7
         # packages for Jammy.
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/repo-codename select bionic | sudo debconf-set-selections
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-5.7 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
-        sudo apt-get -qq update
-        sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get -qq install -y mysql-client=5.7* mysql-community-server=5.7* mysql-server=5.7* libncurses5
-
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y make unzip g++ curl git wget ant openjdk-11-jdk eatmydata
+        sudo apt-get update
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get install -y mysql-client=5.7* mysql-community-server=5.7* mysql-server=5.7* libncurses6
+        
+        sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ curl git wget ant openjdk-11-jdk eatmydata
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo bash -c "echo '/usr/sbin/mysqld { }' > /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.mysqld" # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/mariadb-10.1/+bug/1806263
         sudo ln -s /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.mysqld /etc/apparmor.d/disable/
diff --git a/.github/workflows/unit_test_evalengine_mysql80.yml b/.github/workflows/unit_test_evalengine_mysql80.yml
index beb147df47b..54258190255 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/unit_test_evalengine_mysql80.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/unit_test_evalengine_mysql80.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   test:
     name: Unit Test (evalengine_mysql80)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -89,13 +89,13 @@ jobs:
       if: steps.skip-workflow.outputs.skip-workflow == 'false' && steps.changes.outputs.unit_tests == 'true'
       run: |
         export DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive"
-        sudo apt-get -qq update
+        sudo apt-get update
 
         # Uninstall any previously installed MySQL first
         sudo systemctl stop apparmor
-        sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get -qq remove -y --purge mysql-server mysql-client mysql-common
-        sudo apt-get -qq -y autoremove
-        sudo apt-get -qq -y autoclean
+        sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get remove -y --purge mysql-server mysql-client mysql-common
+        sudo apt-get -y autoremove
+        sudo apt-get -y autoclean
         sudo deluser mysql
         sudo rm -rf /var/lib/mysql
         sudo rm -rf /etc/mysql
@@ -107,10 +107,10 @@ jobs:
         wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
-        sudo apt-get -qq update
-        sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client
-
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y make unzip g++ curl git wget ant openjdk-11-jdk eatmydata
+        sudo apt-get update
+        sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get install -y mysql-server mysql-client
+        
+        sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ curl git wget ant openjdk-11-jdk eatmydata
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo bash -c "echo '/usr/sbin/mysqld { }' > /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.mysqld" # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/mariadb-10.1/+bug/1806263
         sudo ln -s /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.mysqld /etc/apparmor.d/disable/
diff --git a/.github/workflows/unit_test_mysql57.yml b/.github/workflows/unit_test_mysql57.yml
index 2db263ea2d8..ecb6246a19f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/unit_test_mysql57.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/unit_test_mysql57.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   test:
     name: Unit Test (mysql57)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -89,31 +89,36 @@ jobs:
       if: steps.skip-workflow.outputs.skip-workflow == 'false' && steps.changes.outputs.unit_tests == 'true'
       run: |
         export DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive"
-        sudo apt-get -qq update
+        sudo apt-get update
 
         # Uninstall any previously installed MySQL first
         sudo systemctl stop apparmor
-        sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get -qq remove -y --purge mysql-server mysql-client mysql-common
-        sudo apt-get -qq -y autoremove
-        sudo apt-get -qq -y autoclean
+        sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get remove -y --purge mysql-server mysql-client mysql-common
+        sudo apt-get -y autoremove
+        sudo apt-get -y autoclean
         sudo deluser mysql
         sudo rm -rf /var/lib/mysql
         sudo rm -rf /etc/mysql
 
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
-
-        # mysql57
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         # Bionic packages are still compatible for Jammy since there's no MySQL 5.7
         # packages for Jammy.
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/repo-codename select bionic | sudo debconf-set-selections
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-5.7 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
-        sudo apt-get -qq update
-        sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get -qq install -y mysql-client=5.7* mysql-community-server=5.7* mysql-server=5.7* libncurses5
-
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y make unzip g++ curl git wget ant openjdk-11-jdk eatmydata
+        sudo apt-get update
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get install -y mysql-client=5.7* mysql-community-server=5.7* mysql-server=5.7* libncurses6
+        
+        sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ curl git wget ant openjdk-11-jdk eatmydata
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo bash -c "echo '/usr/sbin/mysqld { }' > /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.mysqld" # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/mariadb-10.1/+bug/1806263
         sudo ln -s /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.mysqld /etc/apparmor.d/disable/
diff --git a/.github/workflows/unit_test_mysql80.yml b/.github/workflows/unit_test_mysql80.yml
index d20abfb5efe..f0d8bc7214f 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/unit_test_mysql80.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/unit_test_mysql80.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   test:
     name: Unit Test (mysql80)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -89,13 +89,13 @@ jobs:
       if: steps.skip-workflow.outputs.skip-workflow == 'false' && steps.changes.outputs.unit_tests == 'true'
       run: |
         export DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive"
-        sudo apt-get -qq update
+        sudo apt-get update
 
         # Uninstall any previously installed MySQL first
         sudo systemctl stop apparmor
-        sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get -qq remove -y --purge mysql-server mysql-client mysql-common
-        sudo apt-get -qq -y autoremove
-        sudo apt-get -qq -y autoclean
+        sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get remove -y --purge mysql-server mysql-client mysql-common
+        sudo apt-get -y autoremove
+        sudo apt-get -y autoclean
         sudo deluser mysql
         sudo rm -rf /var/lib/mysql
         sudo rm -rf /etc/mysql
@@ -107,10 +107,10 @@ jobs:
         wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
-        sudo apt-get -qq update
-        sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client
-
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y make unzip g++ curl git wget ant openjdk-11-jdk eatmydata
+        sudo apt-get update
+        sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get install -y mysql-server mysql-client
+        
+        sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ curl git wget ant openjdk-11-jdk eatmydata
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo bash -c "echo '/usr/sbin/mysqld { }' > /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.mysqld" # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/mariadb-10.1/+bug/1806263
         sudo ln -s /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.mysqld /etc/apparmor.d/disable/
diff --git a/.github/workflows/update_golang_dependencies.yml b/.github/workflows/update_golang_dependencies.yml
index 8258c88402c..97403906d91 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/update_golang_dependencies.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/update_golang_dependencies.yml
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ jobs:
       contents: write
       pull-requests: write
     name: Update Golang Dependencies
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
     steps:
       - name: Set up Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
diff --git a/.github/workflows/update_golang_version.yml b/.github/workflows/update_golang_version.yml
index 709b8d88565..3361b3f0146 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/update_golang_version.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/update_golang_version.yml
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ jobs:
       matrix:
         branch: [ main, release-19.0, release-18.0, release-17.0, release-16.0 ]
     name: Update Golang Version
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
     steps:
       - name: Set up Go
         uses: actions/setup-go@v5
diff --git a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_backups_e2e.yml b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_backups_e2e.yml
index a5dd4669be3..1a76a84705b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_backups_e2e.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_backups_e2e.yml
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ jobs:
   upgrade_downgrade_test_e2e:
     timeout-minutes: 60
     name: Run Upgrade Downgrade Test - Backups - E2E
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1
+    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ jobs:
       if: steps.skip-workflow.outputs.skip-workflow == 'false' && steps.changes.outputs.end_to_end == 'true'
       run: |
         sudo apt-get update
-        sudo apt-get install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata
+        sudo apt-get install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
         sudo ln -s /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.mysqld /etc/apparmor.d/disable/
diff --git a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_backups_e2e_next_release.yml b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_backups_e2e_next_release.yml
index 87a20bc68f6..c911f0aa2a9 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_backups_e2e_next_release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_backups_e2e_next_release.yml
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ jobs:
   upgrade_downgrade_test_e2e:
     timeout-minutes: 60
     name: Run Upgrade Downgrade Test - Backups - E2E - Next Release
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1
+    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ jobs:
       if: steps.skip-workflow.outputs.skip-workflow == 'false' && steps.changes.outputs.end_to_end == 'true'
       run: |
         sudo apt-get update
-        sudo apt-get install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata
+        sudo apt-get install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
         sudo ln -s /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.mysqld /etc/apparmor.d/disable/
diff --git a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_backups_manual.yml b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_backups_manual.yml
index 57436429beb..fa75da090c3 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_backups_manual.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_backups_manual.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ jobs:
   upgrade_downgrade_test_manual:
     timeout-minutes: 40
     name: Run Upgrade Downgrade Test - Backups - Manual
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1
+    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -102,14 +102,14 @@ jobs:
 
         # Install MySQL 8.0
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get update
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get install -y mysql-server mysql-client
 
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata grep
+        sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata grep
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
         sudo bash -c "echo '/usr/sbin/mysqld { }' > /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.mysqld" # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/mariadb-10.1/+bug/1806263
diff --git a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_backups_manual_next_release.yml b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_backups_manual_next_release.yml
index e9d193da0dd..1ae5877413d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_backups_manual_next_release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_backups_manual_next_release.yml
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ jobs:
   upgrade_downgrade_test_manual:
     timeout-minutes: 40
     name: Run Upgrade Downgrade Test - Backups - Manual - Next Release
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1
+    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -103,14 +103,14 @@ jobs:
 
         # Install MySQL 8.0
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get update
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get install -y mysql-server mysql-client
 
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata grep
+        sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata grep
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
         sudo bash -c "echo '/usr/sbin/mysqld { }' > /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.mysqld" # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/mariadb-10.1/+bug/1806263
diff --git a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_onlineddl_flow.yml b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_onlineddl_flow.yml
index dbd5e54ed03..fce662f1001 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_onlineddl_flow.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_onlineddl_flow.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ jobs:
 
   upgrade_downgrade_test:
     name: Run Upgrade Downgrade Test - Online DDL flow
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1
+    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -108,13 +108,13 @@ jobs:
         sudo rm -rf /etc/mysql
         # Install mysql80
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get update
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get install -y mysql-server mysql-client
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata
+        sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
         sudo bash -c "echo '/usr/sbin/mysqld { }' > /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.mysqld" # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/mariadb-10.1/+bug/1806263
diff --git a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_queries.yml b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_queries.yml
index b0c3387f194..f79a3d242ac 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_queries.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_queries.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ jobs:
 
   upgrade_downgrade_test:
     name: Run Upgrade Downgrade Test - Query Serving (Queries)
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1
+    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -100,13 +100,13 @@ jobs:
         sudo rm -rf /etc/mysql
         # Install mysql80
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get update
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get install -y mysql-server mysql-client
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata
+        sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
         sudo bash -c "echo '/usr/sbin/mysqld { }' > /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.mysqld" # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/mariadb-10.1/+bug/1806263
diff --git a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_queries_next_release.yml b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_queries_next_release.yml
index e6a25fb7171..48f9c69f1c3 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_queries_next_release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_queries_next_release.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ jobs:
 
   upgrade_downgrade_test:
     name: Run Upgrade Downgrade Test - Query Serving (Queries) Next Release
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1
+    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -101,13 +101,13 @@ jobs:
         sudo rm -rf /etc/mysql
         # Install mysql80
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get update
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get install -y mysql-server mysql-client
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata
+        sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
         sudo bash -c "echo '/usr/sbin/mysqld { }' > /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.mysqld" # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/mariadb-10.1/+bug/1806263
diff --git a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_schema.yml b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_schema.yml
index 61e9a58f2a6..d14d1f8a5e1 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_schema.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_schema.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ jobs:
 
   upgrade_downgrade_test:
     name: Run Upgrade Downgrade Test - Query Serving (Schema)
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1
+    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -100,13 +100,13 @@ jobs:
         sudo rm -rf /etc/mysql
         # Install mysql80
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get update
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get install -y mysql-server mysql-client
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata
+        sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
         sudo bash -c "echo '/usr/sbin/mysqld { }' > /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.mysqld" # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/mariadb-10.1/+bug/1806263
diff --git a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_schema_next_release.yml b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_schema_next_release.yml
index 58236d6e9ce..3bb1c4a542a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_schema_next_release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_query_serving_schema_next_release.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ jobs:
 
   upgrade_downgrade_test:
     name: Run Upgrade Downgrade Test - Query Serving (Schema) Next Release
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1
+    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -101,13 +101,13 @@ jobs:
         sudo rm -rf /etc/mysql
         # Install mysql80
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get update
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get install -y mysql-server mysql-client
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata
+        sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
         sudo bash -c "echo '/usr/sbin/mysqld { }' > /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.mysqld" # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/mariadb-10.1/+bug/1806263
diff --git a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_reparent_new_vtctl.yml b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_reparent_new_vtctl.yml
index 277eea1ac9b..4ff8183ae6a 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_reparent_new_vtctl.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_reparent_new_vtctl.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ jobs:
 
   upgrade_downgrade_test:
     name: Run Upgrade Downgrade Test - Reparent New Vtctl
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1
+    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -101,13 +101,13 @@ jobs:
         sudo rm -rf /etc/mysql
         # Install mysql80
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get update
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get install -y mysql-server mysql-client
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata
+        sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
         sudo bash -c "echo '/usr/sbin/mysqld { }' > /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.mysqld" # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/mariadb-10.1/+bug/1806263
diff --git a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_reparent_new_vttablet.yml b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_reparent_new_vttablet.yml
index 59c89d243b3..87954a2d8d5 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_reparent_new_vttablet.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_reparent_new_vttablet.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ jobs:
 
   upgrade_downgrade_test:
     name: Run Upgrade Downgrade Test - Reparent New VTTablet
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1
+    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -101,13 +101,13 @@ jobs:
         sudo rm -rf /etc/mysql
         # Install mysql80
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get update
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get install -y mysql-server mysql-client
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata
+        sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
         sudo bash -c "echo '/usr/sbin/mysqld { }' > /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.mysqld" # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/mariadb-10.1/+bug/1806263
diff --git a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_reparent_old_vtctl.yml b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_reparent_old_vtctl.yml
index d5cbd0250ab..bebf0b00421 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_reparent_old_vtctl.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_reparent_old_vtctl.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ jobs:
 
   upgrade_downgrade_test:
     name: Run Upgrade Downgrade Test - Reparent Old Vtctl
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1
+    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -100,13 +100,13 @@ jobs:
         sudo rm -rf /etc/mysql
         # Install mysql80
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get update
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get install -y mysql-server mysql-client
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata
+        sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
         sudo bash -c "echo '/usr/sbin/mysqld { }' > /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.mysqld" # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/mariadb-10.1/+bug/1806263
diff --git a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_reparent_old_vttablet.yml b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_reparent_old_vttablet.yml
index c4ce6464f9c..a797d1ba4dc 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_reparent_old_vttablet.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_reparent_old_vttablet.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ jobs:
 
   upgrade_downgrade_test:
     name: Run Upgrade Downgrade Test - Reparent Old VTTablet
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1
+    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -100,13 +100,13 @@ jobs:
         sudo rm -rf /etc/mysql
         # Install mysql80
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get update
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get install -y mysql-server mysql-client
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata
+        sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
         sudo bash -c "echo '/usr/sbin/mysqld { }' > /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.mysqld" # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/mariadb-10.1/+bug/1806263
diff --git a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_semi_sync.yml b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_semi_sync.yml
index dad29082907..11c5f24c91e 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_semi_sync.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/upgrade_downgrade_test_semi_sync.yml
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ jobs:
   upgrade_downgrade_test_e2e:
     timeout-minutes: 60
     name: Run Semi Sync Upgrade Downgrade Test
-    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1
+    runs-on: gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ jobs:
       if: steps.skip-workflow.outputs.skip-workflow == 'false' && steps.changes.outputs.end_to_end == 'true'
       run: |
         sudo apt-get update
-        sudo apt-get install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata
+        sudo apt-get install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
         sudo ln -s /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.mysqld /etc/apparmor.d/disable/
diff --git a/.github/workflows/vitess_tester_vtgate.yml b/.github/workflows/vitess_tester_vtgate.yml
index 662de514384..8993dfbe0b4 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/vitess_tester_vtgate.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/vitess_tester_vtgate.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on Vitess Tester (vtgate)
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -95,12 +95,12 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/.github/workflows/vtadmin_web_build.yml b/.github/workflows/vtadmin_web_build.yml
index 09380b3ea76..575f07f9b30 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/vtadmin_web_build.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/vtadmin_web_build.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ permissions: read-all
 
 jobs:
   build:
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
     steps:
       - name: Skip CI
         run: |
diff --git a/.github/workflows/vtadmin_web_lint.yml b/.github/workflows/vtadmin_web_lint.yml
index b59aecae7e2..31432898482 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/vtadmin_web_lint.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/vtadmin_web_lint.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ permissions: read-all
 
 jobs:
   lint:
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
     steps:
       - name: Skip CI
         run: |
diff --git a/.github/workflows/vtadmin_web_unit_tests.yml b/.github/workflows/vtadmin_web_unit_tests.yml
index d89d85af02e..dfa9b52c607 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/vtadmin_web_unit_tests.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/vtadmin_web_unit_tests.yml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ permissions: read-all
 
 jobs:
   unit-tests:
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
     steps:
       - name: Skip CI
         run: |
diff --git a/test/templates/cluster_endtoend_test.tpl b/test/templates/cluster_endtoend_test.tpl
index 92ef4b48593..e67d0e1f640 100644
--- a/test/templates/cluster_endtoend_test.tpl
+++ b/test/templates/cluster_endtoend_test.tpl
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on {{.Name}}
-    runs-on: {{if .Cores16}}gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1{{else}}ubuntu-latest{{end}}
+    runs-on: {{if .Cores16}}gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04{{else}}ubuntu-24.04{{end}}
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -117,19 +117,28 @@ jobs:
         sudo apt-get -qq update
 
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y percona-server-server percona-server-client make unzip g++ etcd git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y percona-server-server percona-server-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         {{else}}
 
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
+
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1 in case we end up testing with MySQL 5.7. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         {{end}}
 
diff --git a/test/templates/cluster_endtoend_test_docker.tpl b/test/templates/cluster_endtoend_test_docker.tpl
index 393f65b396e..4c8b2376529 100644
--- a/test/templates/cluster_endtoend_test_docker.tpl
+++ b/test/templates/cluster_endtoend_test_docker.tpl
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ permissions: read-all
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on {{.Name}}
-    runs-on: {{if .Cores16}}gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1{{else}}ubuntu-latest{{end}}
+    runs-on: {{if .Cores16}}gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04{{else}}ubuntu-24.04{{end}}
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
diff --git a/test/templates/cluster_endtoend_test_mysql57.tpl b/test/templates/cluster_endtoend_test_mysql57.tpl
index 49835616dfe..c482d7ce271 100644
--- a/test/templates/cluster_endtoend_test_mysql57.tpl
+++ b/test/templates/cluster_endtoend_test_mysql57.tpl
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on {{.Name}}
-    runs-on: {{if .Cores16}}gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1{{else}}ubuntu-latest{{end}}
+    runs-on: {{if .Cores16}}gh-hosted-runners-16cores-1-24.04{{else}}ubuntu-24.04{{end}}
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -126,16 +126,20 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
 
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         # Bionic packages are still compatible for Jammy since there's no MySQL 5.7
         # packages for Jammy.
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/repo-codename select bionic | sudo debconf-set-selections
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-5.7 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get update
-        sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get install -y mysql-client=5.7* mysql-community-server=5.7* mysql-server=5.7* libncurses5
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get install -y mysql-client=5.7* mysql-community-server=5.7* mysql-server=5.7* libncurses6
 
-        sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata
+        sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
 
diff --git a/test/templates/cluster_vitess_tester.tpl b/test/templates/cluster_vitess_tester.tpl
index 816fe9bc9ce..784f4b992c2 100644
--- a/test/templates/cluster_vitess_tester.tpl
+++ b/test/templates/cluster_vitess_tester.tpl
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   build:
     name: Run endtoend tests on {{.Name}}
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -93,12 +93,12 @@ jobs:
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
         # Setup MySQL 8.0
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
         sudo apt-get -qq update
         # Install everything else we need, and configure
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses5
+        sudo apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client make unzip g++ etcd-client etcd-server curl git wget eatmydata xz-utils libncurses6
 
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo service etcd stop
diff --git a/test/templates/unit_test.tpl b/test/templates/unit_test.tpl
index 052b294d1ad..1567817ee83 100644
--- a/test/templates/unit_test.tpl
+++ b/test/templates/unit_test.tpl
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ env:
 jobs:
   test:
     name: {{.Name}}
-    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    runs-on: ubuntu-24.04
 
     steps:
     - name: Skip CI
@@ -87,13 +87,13 @@ jobs:
       if: steps.skip-workflow.outputs.skip-workflow == 'false' && steps.changes.outputs.unit_tests == 'true'
       run: |
         export DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive"
-        sudo apt-get -qq update
+        sudo apt-get update
 
         # Uninstall any previously installed MySQL first
         sudo systemctl stop apparmor
-        sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get -qq remove -y --purge mysql-server mysql-client mysql-common
-        sudo apt-get -qq -y autoremove
-        sudo apt-get -qq -y autoclean
+        sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get remove -y --purge mysql-server mysql-client mysql-common
+        sudo apt-get -y autoremove
+        sudo apt-get -y autoclean
         sudo deluser mysql
         sudo rm -rf /var/lib/mysql
         sudo rm -rf /etc/mysql
@@ -101,17 +101,21 @@ jobs:
         {{if (eq .Platform "mysql57")}}
         # Get key to latest MySQL repo
         sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys A8D3785C
-
-        # mysql57
-        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
+        wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.33-1_all.deb
         # Bionic packages are still compatible for Jammy since there's no MySQL 5.7
         # packages for Jammy.
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/repo-codename select bionic | sudo debconf-set-selections
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-5.7 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
-        sudo apt-get -qq update
-        sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get -qq install -y mysql-client=5.7* mysql-community-server=5.7* mysql-server=5.7* libncurses5
-
+        sudo apt-get update
+        # We have to install this old version of libaio1. See also:
+        # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/libaio/+bug/2067501
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/main/liba/libaio/libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libaio1_0.3.112-13build1_amd64.deb
+        # libtinfo5 is also needed for older MySQL 5.7 builds.
+        curl -L -O http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/n/ncurses/libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo dpkg -i libtinfo5_6.3-2ubuntu0.1_amd64.deb
+        sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get install -y mysql-client=5.7* mysql-community-server=5.7* mysql-server=5.7* libncurses6
         {{end}}
 
         {{if (eq .Platform "mysql80")}}
@@ -122,12 +126,11 @@ jobs:
         wget -c https://dev.mysql.com/get/mysql-apt-config_0.8.29-1_all.deb
         echo mysql-apt-config mysql-apt-config/select-server select mysql-8.0 | sudo debconf-set-selections
         sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" dpkg -i mysql-apt-config*
-        sudo apt-get -qq update
-        sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get -qq install -y mysql-server mysql-client
-
+        sudo apt-get update
+        sudo DEBIAN_FRONTEND="noninteractive" apt-get install -y mysql-server mysql-client
         {{end}}
 
-        sudo apt-get -qq install -y make unzip g++ curl git wget ant openjdk-11-jdk eatmydata
+        sudo apt-get install -y make unzip g++ curl git wget ant openjdk-11-jdk eatmydata
         sudo service mysql stop
         sudo bash -c "echo '/usr/sbin/mysqld { }' > /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.mysqld" # https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/mariadb-10.1/+bug/1806263
         sudo ln -s /etc/apparmor.d/usr.sbin.mysqld /etc/apparmor.d/disable/