Overview
This article is a quick overview of how MySQL databases are configured at DreamHost.
FAQs
What is MySQL?
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MySQL is one of the most widely used open-source database systems, compatible with a multitude of website applications.
What version does DreamHost run?
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Shared MySQL servers, MySQL VPS, DreamPress, and Dedicated servers run MySQL version 8.
Customers familiar with running their own MySQL server and who wish to use a newer version can upgrade to a Dedicated or DreamCompute plan, on which they can install any MySQL software they like.
Are there any limitations?
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When you create a database in the panel, it is added to a shared MySQL server by default. Due to the nature of shared hosting, some privileges are not available to manage your database. See this article for a list of available privileges.
How many databases can my account contain?
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There is no limit to the amount of databases, but in general you will have one for each site that requires a database.
Is database encryption supported?
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Database encryption is not provided by DreamHost. Please note that if you plan on creating a custom solution to encrypt your database and require root/sudo access to the database server, you would need to purchase a Dedicated Server or DreamCompute. Only on those plans would you have direct access to the database.
Is a private MySQL server available?
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Yes. See the private MySQL overview article for further details.
Storage engines
The following storage engines are provided with all DreamHost-managed MySQL products.
| Engine | Support | Comment | Transactions | XA | Savepoints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSV | YES | CSV storage engine | NO | NO | NO |
| MRG_MYISAM | YES | Collection of identical MyISAM tables | NO | NO | NO |
| FEDERATED | NO | Federated MySQL storage engine | NULL | NULL | NULL |
| MyISAM | DEFAULT | Default engine as of MySQL 3.23 with great performance | NO | NO | NO |
| InnoDB | YES | Supports transactions, row-level locking, and foreign keys | YES | YES | YES |
| MEMORY | YES | Hash based, stored in memory, useful for temporary tables | NO | NO | NO |
Comparison of MySQL products
The following table lists the primary differences between shared, private, and dedicated MySQL options at DreamHost.
| Product | Description | Local/Networked | Suitable For Hosting Needs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared MySQL | A shared MySQL server that's included with Shared and VPS Hosting plans. | Networked | Suitable for most websites. |
| MySQL VPS | A private server that only runs MySQL software. | Networked | This is a high-performance MySQL server for customers who have outgrown shared MySQL. |
| Dedicated MySQL | A Dedicated web server runs a MySQL server locally along with the other web services. | Local | A Dedicated Server is ideal for software that sends large amounts of data between web applications and MySQL, as there is no network in between to limit throughput. |
See also
DreamHost links