Tell me more ×
Database Administrators Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for database professionals who wish to improve their database skills and learn from others in the community. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 1 down vote favorite

When I check for price tags for MySQL, I see a clause called "1-4 socket server" or "5+ Socket Server".. what does this mean?

"Socket" in generic term means Inter Communication Protocol. For MySQL, a socket unix file helps to communicate between MySQL server and MySQL client within local server, and there is only one as far as I know per MySQL server instance.

Please correct me if my understanding is wrong. Kindly shed some light what is meant by 4, 5+ sockets as I see cost increases as socket numbers rises. Also, what are the advantages of the higher sockets?

share|improve this question

1 Answer

up vote 1 down vote accepted

Socket here means physical CPU plugged into the motherboard.

Note that a single socket will consist at least one "core".

From the MySQL products page:

5 Socket: is defined as a slot that houses a chip (or a multi-chip module), which contains a collection of one or more cores. Regardless of the number of cores, each chip (or multi-chip module) counts as a single socket. All occupied sockets on which the Oracle programs is installed and/or running must be licensed.

** I use "plug" loosely nowadays of course

share|improve this answer
So can I term sockets as no:of physical CPUs ?numberofprocessors/siblings = > socket? which is 16/8 = 2 . So in this case I have 2 sockets ? If not how can I find it? – Mannoj Sep 11 '12 at 11:06
@mannoj: yes, socket = physical CPU. – gbn Sep 11 '12 at 12:19

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.