Re: [cobalt-users] PHP & SQL Install RAQ3I

["Steven Werby" <steven-lists@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Michael Cannon : MASSHOST.COM <mcannon@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> I need to install MySQL (on a RAQ 3I) for one of my clients and have a few
> questions.  I have gone through the archives, visited cobalt.com and looked
> through the mysql.com but cannot find clear info on exactly what is
> required.

There are RPMs for MySQL 3.22.32 on the Cobalt FTP site for the RaQ3.  I've never
used them, but I believe that some users have gotten them to work.  There may be an
older version of MySQL on the FTP site that is also in RPM form, but if so do not use
it as it contains a well-known security flaw.

> 1. Do I install it once per server or individually for each client needing
> access?

It really depends on the circumstances.  Most system administrators install a single
MySQL server and control security through the built in grant tables.  This is a
perfectly fine solution.  You may also install multiple MySQL servers on the same
physical server (in your case the RaQ3) and run them on unique ports using unique
socket files.  You might decide to do this if:

1. A client requires a different version of MySQL (like the experimental version
which is up to 3.23.21, has many new features and has been working fine for me for
several days).
2. To install each MySQL server to run under the user name of each of your users who
requires MySQL access
3. To optimize MySQL performance by configuring each MySQL server to meet the
specific needs of the user.  Then you can control logging, buffer sizes, max
connections, etc. on a user by user basis.

> 2. If once per server do I create virtual accounts within it?  How do I give
> separate clients access while preserving security and integrity?

This is controlled by the grant table system that is built in to MySQL.  Details can
be found in the MySQL manual at http://www.mysql.com/.  There is a tutorial at
Developer Shed (http://devshed.com/Server_Side/MySQL/Grant_Tables/) and another of
other places.

> I visited the ftp site for cobalt but was unclear to which files were needed
> to have a full install of PHP and MySQL.  I know based on some of the
> threads quite a few people have installed it so I was hoping someone could
> answer:

I actually prefer to install from the source tarball (.tar.gz) files myself b/c I
have more control over the installation.  I don't believe the RPMs allow you to
install MySQL to run as a non-privileged user, installing it instead running as root.
I suppose you can chown some files and edit some others after the fact to get around
this, but I prefer not to go that route.

> 3. What files are required to install the latest versions of MySQL and PHP
> from Cobalt?

Someone else will have to answer that since I don't use Cobalt's RPM files.

> 4. Is their a minimal amount of memory required to run efficiently?

It really depends on a number of factors, but PHP itself requires little RAM.  MySQL
can require little RAM also or a *ton* of RAM.  If you want to write me off-list I
can give you a fair estimate of what you need.  In any case, I hope you have at least
64 MB to even consider running PHP and MySQL.

> If this information already appears somewhere I would certainly appreciate
> being pointed as well as any suggestions on a technical reference or good
> tech book.

Your best friends will be the PHP mailing list and the MySQL mailing list along with
their online archives.  Try php.net and mysql.com for more details.  As far as books
go, I like:

MySQL by Paul DuBois published by New Riders.  Best price on the net when I bought it
was at bookpool.com.
PHP Programming published by wrox.  Best price at the same site.  YMMV.

> I also welcome replies offline as well as on with any helpful information as
> I undertake this perilous journey!

Good luck.  Feel free to contact me if you'd like.  And be sure to read up on the
program "mysqldump" included with the MySQL install.  You need to use it to backup
databases and be familiar with how to restore them if necessary.

Steven Werby {steven-lists@xxxxxxxxxxxx}