MySQL Embedded FAQ

Q: What are the benefits for an ISV/VAR to embed MySQL into a software or hardware system?

A: By embedding MySQL, an ISV/VAR delivers the following benefits to the customer:

• Deliver a complete solution to the customer. Eliminate the need for the customer to evaluate, buy, and implement a separate database.

• Reduce the time required to "go live" for the customer. Eliminate the time required for development and testing cycles to implement a new database.
• Reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO) for the customer. MySQL reduces database licensing costs by over 90% and cuts system downtime by 60%.

By embedding MySQL, an ISV/VAR can focus on its core business:

• Focus your core engineers on your product. By embedding MySQL, your engineers do not have to build and maintain a proprietary database.
• Win competitive comparisons. MySQL is recognized for superior performance and reliability.
• Increase your revenue margin. Lower the cost of your solution by embedding MySQL, the low-cost database leader, available with flexible licensing terms.
• Keep a bigger share of the customer's budget. Embedding MySQL eliminates the need for the customer to purchase a separate database.

Q: What are the scenarios for embedding MySQL?

A: There are 2 scenarios for embedding MySQL.

Scenario 1: Deeply Embedded MySQL

The customer has no visibility into the operation of the database. The ISV/VAR is using the embedded MySQL Server Library (libmysqld) as an in-process data storage engine that provides all the features of a traditional relational database but in a size which makes it useable for application and hardware designers who need a small footprint and need a simple and easy to use toolkit.

For example, S2 Security has developed a physical security appliance called the S2 Netbox which embeds MySQL in ROM running on an embedded version of Linux. S2 Netbox provides a highly configurable integrated security system featuring access control, alarm monitoring, video surveillance and a range of other applications. By embedding MySQL they are able to provide a highly sophisticated reporting system that is easy to use and gives them the scalability and performance they need for demanding enterprise customers.

Scenario 2: Bundled MySQL

The customer has complete visibility and control over the database, enabling them to configure, tune, optimize, and administer the database. The ISV/VAR uses the MySQL Server as a standalone relational database.

For example, Sterling Commerce's popular Gentran Integration Suite is used by Global 5000 customers as a messaging gateway for Business-to-Business, EDI and EAI. By shipping MySQL as a bundled database, Sterling Commerce customers can reduce their TCO by not having to separately budget for and purchase a database. Customers have the ability to configure, tune, and administer the MySQL database for optimum performance of the Gentran application.

Q: What are the key Relational Database features that MySQL provides?

MySQL supports all the key Relational Database features, including:

• High-performance
• Main-memory and disk-based tables
• Single-User and Multi-User
• Multi-Threaded
• SQL-92 and SQL-99
• ACID Transactions
• Referential Integrity
• Cascading Updates and Deletes
• Multi-table Joins
• Row-level Locking
• Replication
• Clustering
• BLOBs (Binary Large Objects)
• UDFs (User Defined Functions)
• OLTP (On-Line Transaction Processing)
• Unicode and Double-Byte character support
• Drivers for ODBC, JDBC, .NET and C++

Q: What are the Synchronization and Replication capabilities of MySQL?

A: Synchronization is a required when an organization has:

• Remote systems, which need real-time or periodic updates (e.g. Bank teller machine)
• Mobile users, who typically need occasional updates (e.g. Traveling sales person)

MySQL provides synchronization via its Master-Slave Replication capabilities. Extensive documentation makes it easy to setup and configure MySQL for replication.

Q: What are the Performance and Scalability characteristics of MySQL?

A: In February 2002, eWeek published the results of their Database Benchmark Test, showing:

• MySQL has the best overall performance and scalability (matching Oracle)
• MySQL excelled in stability, ease of tuning, and connectivity
• MySQL offered the highest throughput (600 web pages/sec to 1000 concurrent users)
• MySQL's performance advantage came from a unique feature - the ability to use different database engines on a table-by-table basis

View the results of eWeek Database Benchmark test.

Q: How Reliable is MySQL?

A: MySQL has a well-earned and established reputation for reliability and performance among its 6 million user community. MySQL is embedded by leading companies including Cisco, Ericsson, Motorola, NEC, Novell and Symantec.

In December 2003, Reasoning published the results of their Code Quality Inspection Study of MySQL, showing:

• MySQL code quality was 6x better than that of comparable proprietary code
• MySQL benefits from the large communities of programmers who "battle test" the code
• MySQL benefits from users who not only report bugs, but track down their root cause and fix them

View the results of Reasoning's Code Quality Analysis of MySQL.

Q: Is MySQL easy to Administer?

A: MySQL has a well-earned and established reputation as an easy-to-administer database. Developers have the flexibility to configure, tune and optimize MySQL. Users typically are unaware of the existence of the database, and do not need a database administrator, since the install takes care of the configuration.

Q: What are the minimum system requirements for MySQL?

A:

• Minimum memory: 1 MB of RAM
• Minimum disk-based server: 4 MB of Hard Disk
• Default disk-based server: 8 MB of Hard Disk

Q: What Platforms does MySQL support?

A: MySQL runs on:

• Linux (RedHat, SuSE, Mandrake, Debian)
• Embedded Linux (MontaVista, LynuxWorks BlueCat)
• Unix (Solaris, HP-UX, AIX)
• BSD (Mac OS X, FreeBSD)
• Windows (Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows XP)
• RTOS (QNX)
• Handheld (Windows CE)

Q: What industry standards and 3rd party tools does MySQL support?

A: MySQL has drivers for:

• ODBC
• JDBC
• .NET
• C++

MySQL application can be developed in any popular language, including:

• C
• C++
• C#
• Java
• Delphi
• Visual Basic
• Perl
• Python
• PHP

MySQL applications can be developed using popular Development Tools, including:

• Microsoft Visual Studio
• Borland Delphi and JBuilder
• Eclipse
• NetBeans

MySQL databases can be administered using popular Database Tools, including:

• MySQL Administrator
• Quest Software Toad for MySQL
• Embarcadero ER/Studio

MySQL applications can be deployed using popular Deployment Tools, including:

• InstallShield
• WiseInstaller

Q: How does MySQL reduce TCO?

A: MySQL reduces the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of database software by:

• Reducing database licensing costs by over 90%
• Cutting systems downtime by 60%
• Lowering hardware expenditure by 70%
• Reducing administration, engineering and support costs by up to 50%

For more information, read the white paper "A Guide to Lower Database TCO".

Q: What is the pricing model for embedding MySQL?

MySQL is flexible and will work with you to identify intelligent pricing models based on:

• Buying MySQL licenses at a discount off MySQL list price
• Royalties on a percentage of your applications published list price

For pricing details, please call 425-743-5635 or contact us online.

Q: Which ISV/VARs currently embed MySQL?

A: MySQL is deployed to over 8 million active users.

ISV/VARs who have embedded MySQL, include:

• Telecom: Agilent, Alcatel, Cisco, Ericsson, F5 Networks, Motorola, NEC, SS8 Networks
• Retail: The Gap, Suzuki Kiosks
• BioTech: Biotique Systems
• ISV: Network Associates, Novell, Quest Software, Symantec

Q: Is there a Partner Program for companies interested in embedding MySQL?

A: Yes. Get more information.

Q: Where can I get more information about embedding MySQL?

A: You can read more product information, or read the documentation about using the Embedded MySQL Server Library