MySQL Embedded FAQ

1. Why should an ISV / OEM consider using MySQL Embedded Server in their application or appliance?
2. Who are some of the ISVs / OEMs using MySQL Embedded Sever in their products?
3. In which industry verticals / horizontals is MySQL Embedded Server most commonly used?
4. How do ISVs, OEMs and VARs use and include MySQL Embedded Server with their products?
5. What are the key Relational Database features that MySQL provides?
6. How well does MySQL perform and scale?
7. How Reliable is MySQL?
8. Is MySQL easy to Administer?
9. What are the minimum system requirements for MySQL?
10. What is the list of platforms supported by MySQL?
11. Which of the popular programming languages and database drivers are supported by MySQL?
12. How does MySQL reduce TCO?
13. Where can I get more information about embedding MySQL?
14. Is there a Partner Program for ISVs, OEMs and VARs?
15. Where can I learn more about commercial licensing of MySQL Embedded Server?
16. What is the pricing model for MySQL Embedded Server?

Q: 1. Why should an ISV / OEM consider using MySQL Embedded Server with their application or appliance?

A: By embedding MySQL, an ISV / OEM can provide the following benefits to its customers:

• 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 / OEM 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 renowned for its superior performance and reliability.
• ncrease your revenue margins. 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.

Learn More » Top Reasons Why ISV / OEM VP Engineering Choose MySQL Embedded Server

Learn More » Top Reasons Why ISV / OEM Product Managers Choose MySQL Embedded Server

Learn More » "MySQL Embedded Server for ISVs" White Paper

Q: 2. Who are some of the ISVs / OEMs using MySQL Embedded Sever in their products?

A. Over 2000 ISV, OEMs and VARs from across the globe rely on MySQL Embedded Server as the underlying RDBMS in their commercial products. Please see:

Customer case studies »

Customer list »

Q: 3. In which industry verticals / horizontals is MySQL Embedded Server most commonly used?

A. MySQL is used by ISV and OEMs in virtually every industry. It is particularly popular in: Network Management, Security, Health Care, Content Management, Appliances, Retail, and Education.

Learn More »

Q: 4. How do ISVs, OEMs and VARs use and include MySQL Embedded Server with their products?

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 their 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 / OEM 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: 5. What are the key Relational Database features that MySQL provides?

A: MySQL supports all the key Relational Database features. Learn More »

Q: 6. How well does MySQL perform and scale?

A: The MySQL database consistently scores among the top RDMSs for performance, throughput and scalability. It is used for some of the most demanding, high volume, business-critical applications at companies like Facebook, Associated Press, Google, Lufthansa, MIT Lincoln Labs, NASA, Sabre Holdings, Yahoo and others. Companies have implemented large "scale out" web and data warehouse applications running MySQL on dozens, hundreds and even thousands of low-cost servers. And, MySQL scales to deal with billions of rows and terabytes of data making it suitable for a wide range of transactional and analytic applications.

Learn More »

Q: 7. How Reliable is MySQL?

A: MySQL has a well-earned and established reputation for reliability and performance among its 11 million user community. MySQL is embedded by leading companies including Cisco, Ericsson, Motorola, NEC, Novell and Symantec.

Reasoning did a Code Quality Inspection Study on MySQL and determined that:

• 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

Learn More »

Q: 8. 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. Because the configuration is done automatically in the installation process, users do not need a database administrator and typically are not even unaware of the existence of the database within their product.

Q: 9. 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: 10. What is the list of platforms supported by MySQL?

A: MySQL supports over 20 platforms, providing ISVs / OEMs the freedom to ship their products on multiple hardware and operating system combinations. Learn More »

Q: 11. Which of the popular programming languages and database drivers are supported by MySQL?

A:

• MySQL supports all of the most popular programming languages including C, C++, C#, Java, PHP, Perl, Python, Ruby, etc.
  See complete list »
• MySQL supports numerous standards-based drivers.
  See complete list »

Q: 12. 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: 13. 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

Q: 14. Is there a Partner Program for ISVs, OEMs and VARs?

A: Yes. Get more information on the MySQL Enterprise Connection Alliance Program (MECA)

Q: 15. Where can I learn more about commercial licensing of MySQL Embedded Server?

A. See » Commercial Licensing for OEMs, ISVs and VARs

Q: 16. What is the pricing model for MySQL Embedded Server?

A: 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 » Contact the MySQL OEM sales team