InnoDB Website

Plugin

The unique architecture of MySQL permits multiple storage engines with different capabilities to be accessed via the same SQL language and APIs. For years, MySQL has distributed the InnoDB transactional storage engine with its releases (both source and binary). Now, beginning with Version 5.1 of MySQL, it is possible for users to swap out one version of InnoDB and use another.

From the downloads page you can now download an upgraded version of InnoDB with additional features beyond the standard built-in InnoDB provided by MySQL. The InnoDB Plugin supports several new features for improved performance, scalability, reliability, ease of use and flexibility. Documentation for the InnoDB Plugin is available here.

The InnoDB Plugin is available for MySQL 5.1, in source and binary (for most platforms). Users can dynamically INSTALL the InnoDB Plugin to replace the built-in InnoDB within MySQL without compiling from source or relinking MySQL.

Databases created with the built-in InnoDB in MySQL are compatible with the InnoDB Plugin. It is possible to use the InnoDB Plugin, and then “fall back” to the built-in InnoDB in MySQL if desired.