Understanding the intricacies of MySQL licenses is crucial for businesses, as it helps them navigate the complexities of database management.
Here are three key points from the article:
- MySQL License Models: MySQL offers open-source GPL and commercial licensing models. The GPL license allows users to use, modify, and redistribute MySQL but requires them to make source code changes public and comply with GPL terms. The commercial license is preferred by users needing additional support or source code privacy.
- MySQL Editions: MySQL offers multiple editions of its software programs, each with its features. These include MySQL Classic Edition (only available as an embedded database), MySQL Standard Edition, and MySQL Enterprise Edition. Each edition is designed to cater to different business requirements.
- MySQL License Costs: MySQL licenses depend on the edition and the number of sockets in the server. Classic, Standard, and Enterprise Edition licenses are available through Oracle partners with an ASFU or ESL Distribution Agreement. In contrast, MySQL Cluster Carrier Grade Edition licenses can be obtained directly from Oracle. The pricing offered by individual Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) may vary.
- Learn About MySQL license
- MySQL License Models
- MySQL Editions
- The Different Editions Of MySQL Licences
- Understanding MySQL Cluster Carrier Grade Edition
- What Makes it 'Carrier Grade'?
- Key Features of MySQL Cluster Carrier Grade Edition
- What is the difference between MySQL and MySQL Cluster?
- Comparison of the different MySQL editions:
- MySQL License Costs
- FAQ on MySQL License
- Get Help With MySQL License From Industry Experts
Learn About MySQL license
Want to learn more about the MySQL license?
We’re going to look at the license in this comprehensive guide.
The popular open-source relational database management system, MySQL License, existed in 1995. Sun Microsystems acquired it in 2008, followed by Oracle in 2010. MySQL offers both the open-source GPL license and a commercial licensing model.
- GPL license: Users can use, modify, and redistribute MySQL but must make source code changes public and comply with GPL terms.
- Commercial license: Preferred by users needing additional support or source code privacy. Allows ISVs and VARs to distribute MySQL in their solutions and end-users to use MySQL for internal operations.
MySQL offers a flexible licensing model to cater to user requirements while ensuring proper compliance.
MySQL License Models
Various commercial licensing options are available to address concerns regarding MySQL’s open-source licensing, including subscription licenses, ASFU licenses, and ESL licenses.
- Subscription licenses are obtained from Oracle or authorized resellers for internal business operations. Based on a subscription model, requires renewal upon expiration.
- ASFU licenses: Organizations obtaining MySQL from Oracle partners with a specific commercial application. Perpetual licensing for internal use with a specific application only.
- ESL licenses: For organizations unaware of MySQL being part of a solution. MySQL is embedded in a device or solution, with perpetual licensing for use with the specific device or solution.
These licensing models address various business needs and maintain compliance with Oracle’s licensing terms and conditions.
MySQL Editions
To cater to end-user organizations’ and solution providers’ various business requirements, Oracle offers multiple editions of MySQL software programs, each with its features.
When choosing the right software program edition, understand the features needed for specific business requirements.
Below is an overview of the features included in each edition of the MySQL software program:
MySQL Classic Edition: (only available as an embedded database)
- MySQL Database Server
- MySQL Connectors
- MySQL Replication
- Storage Engine: MyISAM
MySQL Standard Edition:
- MySQL Database Server
- MySQL Connectors
- MySQL Replication
- MySQL Workbench
- Storage Engine: MyISAM
- Storage Engine: InnoDB
MySQL Enterprise Edition:
- MySQL Database Server
- MySQL Storage Engines (InnoDB, MyISAM, etc.)
- MySQL Connectors (JDBC, ODBC, .Net, etc.)
- MySQL Replication
- MySQL Fabric
- MySQL Partitioning
- MySQL Utilities
- MySQL Workbench
- MySQL Enterprise Backup
- MySQL Enterprise Monitor
- MySQL Enterprise HA
- MySQL Enterprise Scalability
- MySQL Enterprise Security
- MySQL Enterprise Audit
Therefore, it’s quite essential to evaluate the specific business requirements and choose the edition that best suits the organization’s needs.
The Different Editions Of MySQL Licences
The license offers multiple editions, giving users and providers flexibility in selecting one that meets their needs while adhering to Oracle’s licensing terms.
- Embedded: MySQL Classic is available only for independent solution providers/partners with an ASFU Program or ESL Distribution Agreement with Oracle.
- Full Use licenses: Unavailable through Oracle Corporation or resellers.
Editions:
- MySQL Community Edition: Freely downloadable, open-source under GPL, and supported by a large developer community. Features include pluggable storage engines, MySQL Database Server, Connectors, Replication, Fabric, Partitioning, Utilities, and Workbench.
- MySQL Cluster CGE: Tools for managing, monitoring, and securing MySQL Cluster database, with access to Oracle Premier Support. MySQL Cluster, Cluster Manager, Enterprise Backup, Monitor, and Workbench Standard Edition.
MySQL offers various editions, including Classic, Standard, Enterprise, Community, and Cluster CGE. Choose the appropriate edition based on business needs and Oracle licensing terms.
Understanding MySQL Cluster Carrier Grade Edition
MySQL Cluster Carrier Grade Edition is a special edition of MySQL, a popular open-source relational database management system. This edition is designed to meet the unique requirements of telecommunications, networking, and other industries requiring carrier-grade performance and reliability.
What Makes it ‘Carrier Grade’?
The term ‘Carrier Grade’ refers to systems that are robust, reliable, and capable of delivering high performance under heavy loads. These systems are designed to meet the stringent demands of industries where even a momentary failure can have significant consequences.
MySQL Cluster Carrier Grade Edition meets this standard by offering real-time responsiveness, 99.999% availability, and linear scalability. It is designed to handle massive data volumes and millions of users or devices, making it an ideal choice for mission-critical applications.
Key Features of MySQL Cluster Carrier Grade Edition
- Real-Time Performance: MySQL Cluster Carrier Grade Edition is designed to provide real-time response times with a distributed, multi-master architecture that allows instant data propagation without conflicts.
- High Availability: With its shared-nothing architecture and automatic data partitioning across nodes, MySQL Cluster Carrier Grade Edition ensures no single point of failure. It also provides automatic failover and data recovery, ensuring your data is always available when needed.
- Scalability: MySQL Cluster Carrier Grade Edition can scale horizontally to accommodate increasing data volumes and user loads. You can add more nodes to the cluster to increase capacity, and the system will automatically balance the load across all available resources.
- Data Integrity: MySQL Cluster Carrier Grade Edition supports ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability) transactions, ensuring data integrity even during system failures.
- Integration: MySQL Cluster Carrier Grade Edition integrates seamlessly with other MySQL services and can be managed using familiar tools.
What is the difference between MySQL and MySQL Cluster?
MySQL Cluster is a technology that allows you to run MySQL across multiple servers or nodes, providing high availability and scalability.
It is a variant of MySQL designed for high-availability environments and real-time applications. It uses a shared-nothing system, meaning each node in the cluster is independent and self-sufficient.
This allows for automatic failover and recovery, ensuring your data is always available.
Comparison of the different MySQL editions:
| Features | MySQL Standard Edition | MySQL Enterprise Edition | MySQL Cluster CGE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Subscription | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Oracle Premier Support | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Unlimited Support Incidents | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Knowledge Base | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Maintenance Releases | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| MySQL Consultative Support | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| MySQL Database Server | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| MySQL Document Store | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| MySQL Connectors | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| MySQL Replication | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| MySQL Partitioning | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| MySQL Router | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| MySQL Operator for Kubernetes | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| MySQL Shell | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| MySQL Workbench | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Storage Engine: MyISAM | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Storage Engine: InnoDB | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Storage Engine: NDB | ✔️ | ||
| Oracle Enterprise Manager for MySQL | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| MySQL Enterprise Monitor | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| MySQL Enterprise Dashboard | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| MySQL Enterprise Advisors | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| MySQL Query Analyzer | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| MySQL Replication Monitor | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| MySQL Enterprise Backup | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Hot backup for InnoDB | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Full, Incremental, Partial, Optimistic Backups | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Full, Partial, Selective, Hot Selective restore | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Encryption and Compression | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Point-In-Time-Recovery | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| MySQL Enterprise Security | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| MySQL Enterprise Authentication | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| MySQL Enterprise TDE | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| MySQL Enterprise Encryption | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| MySQL Enterprise Masking | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| MySQL Enterprise Firewall | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| MySQL Enterprise Audit | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| MySQL Enterprise Scalability | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Thread Pool | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| MySQL Enterprise High-Availability | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Group Replication | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| High Availability with InnoDB Cluster | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| Disaster Recovery with InnoDB ClusterSet | ✔️ | ✔️ | |
| MySQL Cluster Manager | ✔️ | ||
| Configuration & Provisioning | ✔️ | ||
| Automatic Scaling | ✔️ | ||
| Management & Monitoring | ✔️ | ||
| MySQL Cluster Geo-Replication | ✔️ | ||
| DISA STIG for MySQL Enterprise Edition | ✔️ | ||
| CIS Benchmark for MySQL Enterprise Edition | ✔️ | ||
| Certified with Oracle Linux | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Certified with Oracle VM | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
MySQL License Costs
There are three editions: Classic, Standard, and Enterprise Edition licenses.
They are obtained through Oracle partners with an ASFU or ESL Distribution Agreement.
These perpetual licenses are unavailable for sale or distribution as full-use licenses by Oracle direct sales representatives or partners under a Full Use Distribution Agreement.
Individual Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) determine the pricing for these MySQL editions.
Cluster Carrier Grade Edition licenses, also perpetual, are available through Oracle partners with ASFU or ESL Distribution Agreements or directly from Oracle.
The pricing for MySQL Perpetual licenses offered by Oracle is as follows:
MySQL price list as of March 1, 2023:
| MySQL Subscription | Socket Server | Annual Subscription Price (USD) | License Price (USD) | Software Update License & Support (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MySQL Standard Edition | 1-4 | 2,140 | – | – |
| MySQL Standard Edition | 5+ | 4,280 | – | – |
| MySQL Enterprise Edition | 1-4 | 5,350 | – | – |
| MySQL Enterprise Edition | 5+ | 10,700 | – | – |
| MySQL Cluster Carrier Grade Edition | 1-4 | 10,700 | 32,100 | 7,062.00 |
| MySQL Cluster Carrier Grade Edition | 5+ | 21,400 | 64,200 | 14,124.00 |
The pricing for MySQL perpetual licenses depends on the edition and the number of sockets in the server.
FAQ on MySQL License
What does the name "MySQL" mean?
The name “MySQL” is derived from the first name of the daughter of one of the founders of the database management system, “My,” and the abbreviation of Structured Query Language, “SQL.”
Is a license required to use MySQL?
It depends on which version of MySQL you are using. The open-source version, available under the General Public License (GPL), does not require a license. However, commercial versions of MySQL require a license.
What are the different editions of MySQL?
Several editions are available, including Classic, Standard, Enterprise, Community, and Cluster Carrier Grade Edition (CGE).
Can I obtain a perpetual license for commercial MySQL?
Yes, perpetual licenses for commercial MySQL are available through Oracle partners that have entered into an ASFU Program Distribution Agreement or ESL Distribution Agreement with Oracle Corporation and directly from Oracle.
Does MySQL need a license?
The need for a MySQL license depends on the version of MySQL you are using. The open-source version, available under the General Public License (GPL), does not require a license. However, commercial versions of MySQL do require a license.
What license does MySQL use?
MySQL software is released under the GNU General Public License (GPL), one of the most well-known open-source licenses. However, MySQL is also available under a variety of proprietary licenses.
Is there a cost for MySQL?
MySQL can be used for free, especially its Community Edition, available under the GPL license. However, commercial versions like the MySQL Enterprise Edition and MySQL Cluster Carrier Grade Edition come with a cost. The cost is based on an annual subscription.
Can I use the MySQL database for free?
Yes, you can use MySQL database for free. The MySQL Community Edition is freely downloadable and is available under the GPL license. However, if you want to use it for websites powered on the internet, you’ll need to find a host that offers MySQL server hosting.
Is MySQL free for commercial use?
The open-source version of MySQL, available under the General Public License (GPL), can be used for commercial purposes without any cost. However, if you distribute MySQL or any other GPL software with your application, your application is subject to the terms of the GPL. Commercial versions of MySQL do require a license and come with a cost.
What is the MySQL Enterprise Edition?
MySQL Enterprise Edition is a commercial version with comprehensive, advanced features, management tools, and technical support. It is designed to achieve the highest MySQL scalability, security, reliability, and uptime. This edition is suitable for demanding applications that require high performance and reliability.
What is the difference between MySQL Community and Enterprise Edition?
MySQL Community and Enterprise Editions are based on the same core database. However, the Enterprise Edition provides several advanced components unavailable in the Community Edition. These include tools to monitor MySQL servers, back up data, implement enterprise security, and handle scalability and high availability. The Enterprise Edition also has technical support, making it more suitable for businesses with critical applications.
Can you include MySQL in Oracle ULA?
Yes, we have seen MySQL being part of end customers Oracle ULA.
Does Oracle audit MySQL?
No, we have never encountered MySQL being part of any Oracle license audit.
Get Help With MySQL License From Industry Experts
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