Use existing MySQL installation

[daimer77]

Hi there I have three questions related to Zimbra installation and MySQL.

1) Is it possible to use an already existing MySQL installation on a running server ?

2) What is the version requirement to MySQL ?

3) Since I use Debian, how will the binary installer react to an already installed MySQL server ? Is a workaround required in order to use the already installed MySQL server ?

Thanks for a nice running Zimbra on FC4. I really want to give it a try to our production servers running debian.

Have a nice weekend, Best regards Daniel Mersebak, Copenhagen

[phoenix]

Zimbra uses it''s own instance of MySQL and it's recommended to use it only for that. You can run with another instance of MySQL using the standard port and Zimbra won't touch that unless there's a port conflict and it detects that at install time, you can change Zimbra to another port.

[rurouni_Chris]

Just a question out of curiosity: why is Zimbra using its own specific instance of MySQL?
I would like to be able to administrate all my database instances (for backup purposes for example) from the same admin interface without having to reconnect every time and this specific instance is annoying.
Cheers !

Chris

[phoenix]

It's tuned specifically for Zimbra usage.

[rurouni_Chris]

Thanks for the fast answer: does it mean I can port my existing databases to this instance or is it so tuned up that regular schemas won't work?

Chris

[phoenix]

Originally Posted by rurouni_Chris

Thanks for the fast answer: does it mean I can port my existing databases to this instance or is it so tuned up that regular schemas won't work?

You mean a database in another MySQL instance? If that's what you mean then the naswer is no, you should not do that. The MySQL for Zimbra is to be used specifically for Zimbra, modifying it may break your Zimbra installation or cause it to perform poorly, your data may also not survive an upgrade so it's best left alone.

[fcash]

Think of Zimbra as a black-box appliance.

Everything under /opt/zimbra is tunes to work with Zimbra, and only Zimbra, and should only be used for/by Zimbra. Don't try to break it up, and don't try to use the pieces for anything other than Zimbra.

You won't be poking around in the db innards anyway, everything is accessible via the Zimbra-provided tools.