News Briefs - Hardware:

MySQL AB Launches MySQL Hosting Powered By Rackspace

MySQL AB announced a new hosting solution for MySQL users: MySQL Hosting. MySQL Hosting is provided in partnership with Rackspace, the fastest-growing managed hosting specialist in the world. Designed for Web sites and other MySQL database applications, MySQL Hosting provides a secure, scalable hosting environment with a 99.9 percent uptime guarantee, along with a commercial MySQL license and technical support.

The MySQL Hosting infrastructure is housed in Rackspace's world-class datacenters and architected on the LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP/Perl/Python) stack to maximize the speed and reliability of database- driven Web applications for MySQL.

"MySQL Hosting lets any user -- regardless of resources or technical background -- instantly deploy a MySQL database application, with full confidence that it's being powered by one of the most trusted hosting providers in the industry," said Zack Urlocker, MySQL AB vice president. "We have extended our strong partnership with Rackspace to create this completely MySQL-optimized hosting solution that will make it easy for virtually anyone to use MySQL."

MySQL Database Applications Made Even Easier

MySQL Hosting supports the latest production release of the MySQL database. MySQL Hosting customers do not need to install the MySQL database or any other software on their computer to use the MySQL database or administer it. The account comes with PHPMyAdmin, a Web-based utility for administrating MySQL databases. Users can add, modify and delete MySQL databases through the online interface with a Web browser such as Internet Explorer or Mozilla.

"MySQL Hosting meets the demand for affordable MySQL database hosting by users that don't require full managed hosting, but who want to know that their applications are being managed in a completely secure, scalable and reliable environment," said Dirk Elmendorf, chief technology evangelist and co-founder, Rackspace Managed Hosting. "MySQL is the leading database for Web applications, powering millions of Web sites around the world. MySQL Hosting is a superior solution for a broad set of Web developers."

Rackspace Network Provides Maximum Reliability

Applications hosted by MySQL Hosting run in Rackspace's sophisticated data centers and on their rock solid, multi-homed network. While most sites are hosted from a single server, MySQL Hosting is supported by a more reliable infrastructure. The MySQL Hosting platform uses a cluster of load balanced servers to ensure maximum reliability. Should any server in the cluster fail, Web traffic is instantly and intelligently rerouted to other servers.

MySQL users can choose from three different hosting plans -- Basic, Intermediate and Advanced -- to meet varying usage level requirements and application types. The Basic plan starts at $9.95 per month and includes a commercial MySQL database license and 24/7 MySQL technical support.

Hyder and Associates, an information systems consulting firm, leverages MySQL Hosting to support processes and functions critical to its business. "I was impressed with how quickly I was able to get up and running with MySQL Hosting -- in less than 24 hours. And the support team walked me through every aspect of the set-up process," said William O. Hyder, president, Hyder and Associates. "MySQL Hosting provides an ample amount of Web site space for the money. I have no doubt that MySQL Hosting will become an integral part of my business."