Sun: core server version Mysql remains open source

Sun has stated at its Communityone developer conference that the core of Mysql Server will remain completely open source. Both community and commercial add-ons are part of Sun’s business model for the acquired Mysql.

Marten Mickos of Mysql’s statement at the developer conference on May 5 was reaffirmed confirmed on the blog of Kaj Arnö, community manager at Mysql. It states that Mysql Server, Mysql Connectors and the storage engines are fully functional and open source. The backup functionality in Mysql 6.0 and the Myisam driver for it will also be released as open source.

However, a change from the previous strategy is that the encryption and compression routines for backups will also be released as open source. According to Arnö, the choice to make the server version of Mysql partially closed source was made with a view to a possible IPO. Sun’s $1 billion acquisition of Mysql in January this year shattered those plans. Sun will also continue with its business model for Mysql in which, in addition to free community additions, there is also room for commercial add-ons.