MySQL 5.0 beta slips

MySQL, which had planned to ship the beta version of its MySQL 5.0 database by the end of January, is now planning to ship the database within the next few weeks.

The company has postponed the release to ensure the highest quality, said Marten Mickos, CEO of MySQL. The software currently is being tested to ensure it works with partners' software, he said.

MySQL 5.0 has been positioned as the enterprise-ready version of the database with features such as stored procedures and triggers. General availability of the product has been set for later in 2005.

Additionally, Mickos said the company has not been hurt by a recent security incident in which its database was affected on the Internet by a worm-like infection. 

The situation involved users not setting the password, despite being urged to do so by MySQL, said Mickos. "It was not a question of features in our software, but it was a question of how users set it up," he said.

MySQL on Tuesday at the LinuxWorld Conference & Expo in Boston is introducing MySQL Network, which tailors the company's services programs to large IT departments and includes indemnification.

Customers are indemnified against intellectual property issues, including patent, trademark, and trade secret infringement, the company said.

"We don't think that [customers will] get sued, but it's a common discussion in the industry and customers are asking for [indemnification] as part of their risk management," Mickos said. Previously, MySQL only offered indemnification on a case-by-base basis.

The MySQL Network is intended for corporate enterprises that need to ensure the least possible downtime and run the database in mission-critical applications, Mickos said. Also included in the program is enterprise-level production support from MySQL developers and a knowledge base of technical articles; automated updates and alerts; open source licensing; warranties, and production-ready software.

Support is provided at different tiers: Basic, Gold, Silver, and Platinum. The high-end Platinum service features 24-by-7 phone support and Web access and guaranteed emergency response times of less than 30 minutes for severe issues, MySQL said. While MySQL has previously offered 24-by-7 support, users can now get it for $4,995 for a minimum of one server for a year, as opposed to the previous  entry-level price of $50,000.

As part of the program, MySQL is certifying its binaries to run on specific platforms and offering more quality assurance, Mickos said.

The Basic Level of MySQL Network, featuring two incidents of support, costs $595 per server per year.

MySQL Network is available now for 11 major platforms, including Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SuSE Linux Enterprise Server, Windows Server 2003, and Solaris.