MySQL is a popular open source database program and is installed under /usr/local/mysql. The mysql client program command is mysql.

There is a server available for running mysql databases for research activities. The hostname is db.eecis.udel.edu and the mysql server runs on the default port. Users may request a database for research use by using the help system and request that a mysql database and user be created. The request should include what the database name should be. The database will be created with a default quota of 1GB and the user’s password will be set to a temporary value which should then be changed. If multiple users need access to the database mention that in the request. To change a mysql user password log into the database with the temporary password and then change the password as the following example shows.

$ mysql -u (username) -h db.eecis.udel.edu -p (databasename)
(enter temporary password)
mysql> set password=PASSWORD('newpassword');
mysql> quit
$ rm .mysql_history
$ mysql -u (username) -h db.eecis.udel.edu -p (databasename)
(enter new password)

The .mysql_history file is removed in the example to remove the storing of the new password in plaintext. If a server is needed where users need root access to the mysql database a separate daemon can be started up running on another port number and will run as a service on the database server. If this is required be sure to mention that in the request. A reminder that this server is intended for ECE/CIS research related activities.

For security purposes all traffic to db.eecis.udel.edu is blocked from the outside. In other words only hosts on ECE/CIS networks may connect to it.

Alternatively you may start up your own by doing the following:

• Initialize the database administrative files with:
  • /usr/local/mysql/bin/mysql_install_db --datadir=/path/to/datafiles
  • Be sure to follow the instructions it prints out on setting up the root user for your database.
• Start up the server by running:
  • /usr/local/mysql/libexec/mysqld --datadir=/path/to/datafiles &
  • Where /path/to/datafiles is the directory you want to store your data.

The advantage of use db.eecis.udel.edu is that the database will be installed as a service that will be up, as long as, the server is running.