Setting up ODBC access to MySQL
Why use ODBC with MySQL?
#1 The proprietary MySQL client library (at the root of all Cocoa ports) was switched from the LGPL to the GPL license (since v3.x), so it cannot be incorporated into an app-binary that is distributed through a third-party like Apple AppStore without purchasing a separate license from Oracle, which is suing Google right now on claims of similar intellectual property infringement.
#2 MySQL is today owned by its largest for profit competitor. Oracle's other database products use a different proprietary API than MySQL; however, almost all Oracle products support the industry-standard ODBC API, including MySQL. The industry-standard ODBC API is the primary way that Windows apps access databases and it allows customers of that platform to migrate between Microsoft and Oracle database products with ease, so it is likely that Oracle will always continue to be competitive in its support for the industry-standard ODBC APIs.
#3 Customers may desire to switch from MySQL to the new (free) versions of Oracle, SQLServer, PostgreSQL, DB/2 or others simply by changing out a driver on the server, which is only possible using ODBC.
Setup Instructions (server side)
(1) Locate (or create) a Windows PC (or VM instance). If you will be running MySQL on the same host, we recommend 64-bit Windows; otherwise, choose 32-bit where possible. If you have a choice, we recommend using Windows Web Server Edition which you can usually evaluate for free for six (6) months from Microsoft or lease for $10/month on most cloud/vps services. You may also choose to disable/uninstall Internet Information Server which will speed up your machine.
(2) Login to your Windows system, download and then install the 32-bit MySQL ODBC driver (even if you are running 64-bit Windows and 64-bit MySQL).
(3) Ttap Start->Run and enter http://augsoft.com/downloads/m/ORSETUP_EVAL.EXE then accept the security alert (we do not yet sign our installer files) and follow the automatic installation prompts that end with a screen asking if you want to Activate (you may cancel out and re-launch the Activator later after purchasing the product). Also checkout our network server download instructions concerning security.
(4) Open the 32-bit ODBC Administrators control panel (on 64-bit Windows, it is located in C:\Windows\syswow64\odbcadm32.exe) and pick the System DSN property tab, then 'Add' a new data source using the just installed MySQL ODBC driver. Use the IP address of a remote MySQL server, or the named-pipe of a locally installed MySQL server on the same host computer.
(5) If using named-pipes/shared-memory between the MySQL ODBC driver and the MySQL server --and there are no remote apps that need non-ODBC connections to the server, then also disable MySQL's "network support" and block port 3306 on the Windows Firewall.
(6) After purchasing a license, run the ODBC Router Activator (from the Programs menu) and enter the GEOKEY# off your electronic packing slip. After your submission, we'll respond via e-mail with non-public directions to activate your license.
Setup Instructions (client-side Objective C apps)
Apple makes it easy for developers of all skill levels to write apps. Our SDK adds the ability for those apps to access data in any ODBC compatible database (like MySQL) in about 3 lines of code:
(1) Download and install the latest ODBC SDK from AugSoft or grab the product evaluation app.
(2) Initialize a new ODBCcontext object specifying the DNS/IP-address of your Windows server and one of the names from the System DSN tab of its 32-bit ODBC Data Sources Control panel. You may now run queries on that ODBCcontext in one line of code with results arriving at your callback method in native Objective C format. When done, disconnect and/or dealloc the ODBCcontext. There are some optional features also available to alert your code when the network goes up or down, to restrict the kind of network to just WiFi or Cellular and to display activity indicators while your queries are running in the background.
(3) That's it! NOTE: A similar SDK is available for use in C/C++ on Windows, Linux and older Macs and this SDK can be easily adapted for use on Mac OS X.
Setup Instructions (client-side retail apps, Mac/Windows webservers)
If you have desktop apps that need to access your MySQL data, perhaps for back-room analysis, billing or reporting, you can use one of our free retail drivers with your ODBC ROUTER:
(1) On Mac or Windows, download and install the latest ODBC driver from our site.
(2) On Windows, open the 32-bit ODBC control panel (on 64-bit Windows, it is lcoated in C:\Windows\syswow64\odbcadm32.exe) and 'Add' a new data source using the newly installed 'ODBC.NET' driver.
(3) On Mac OS X, open the 'ODBC Administrator' control panel (for late releases of 10.6 and 10.7 you may need to download it first from Apple or a third-party website) and then 'Add' a new data source using the 'ODBC.NET' driver.
(4) While adding a data source, specify the IP address (or DNS name) of the Windows box hosting your ODBC ROUTER.
(5) Controls are provided for navigating the list of available data sources and choosing one before saving-out of the control panel.
(6) You should now be able to access the named data source from within your retail apps (Microsoft Excel "Get External Data", etc..)
Setup Instructions (Linux webserver)
If you have a LAMP server, please see our PHP website for information on using Linux+PHP with MySQL via ODBC.