The MySQL Database Hosting service provides accounts and storage space to Stanford departments and official university groups on campus to develop and maintain MySQL databases, applications, and services. The MySQL service is not currently available for individual use.
The MySQL service is a shared service and is intended for small- and medium-scale databases. It is not intended for large or heavily used databases, for which a system such as Oracle or a dedicated MySQL server would be more appropriate.
The MySQL service is only available to on-campus applications. Applications hosted off-campus must provide their own database service.
The MySQL servers run on Linux and have MySQL version 5.5 installed, with version 5.6 due for installation this summer.
Features
- University IT is responsible for system upgrades and security patches to the operating system and the MySQL software.
- Up to four daily backups are stored under a private directory in AFS. You can use the MySQL console or MySQL client commands to export the contents of your database outside of the daily backups. The access information will be mailed to you once you are registered.
- Supports stunnel 4 connections for access to MySQL.
Getting started
To register for the MySQL service for your group, department, or service web site, please review and agree to the MySQL Service Agreement.
When you have agreed to the terms and conditions, you will be directed to a database setup page. Upon completion of that page, the system will issue you a MySQL user name and initial password.
You can use mysql commands or the MySQL console (MySQL account required) to manage your existing databases. Extensive documentation is available from the MySQL console.
Note: The username and password are encrypted during authentication, so you do not have to worry about the password being seen in clear text while it is transferred between a host and the MySQL server. However, the transfer of database data will be in the clear unless you use stunnel (an SSL tunneling connection). Stunnel adds data encryption when data is transferred between the server and the client.
