MySQL Options for Institutions

Specify 6 is a ‘thick-client’ application designed to be installed on desktop workstations running Windows, Linux or Mac OS X. Specify uses MySQL database server software from Oracle to manage collection data records. Setting up the Specify application and the MySQL software together on the same workstation is straightforward, the tasks involved are described in detail in installation guides available from this site. The general process includes: 1) downloading and installing the MySQL database manager, 2) downloading and installing the Specify application, and 3) running the Specify Setup Wizard application to complete the setup and customization of your collection database.

During this process two user accounts are created in the MySQL database manager, we call them the “Specify IT User” and “Specify Master User” accounts. The names and passwords of these two accounts are used to finalize the setup of your Specify database and for other purposes. When you create those accounts, be sure to write down their names and passwords and store them in a memorable location, you will need them to maintain your Specify installation.

The Specify Setup Wizard steps through various database customization options. We highly recommend that you read the Wizard documentation in advance to understand how the questions it will ask apply to your collection and institution. The Specify Wizard documentation is here: Specify Setup Wizard step-by-step instructions (PDF); it is also embedded in the online help within the Wizard application.

The MySQL database manager can be installed on the same workstation running Specify, to be accessed only by users on that machine, or it can be installed on a desktop to be accessed by users running Specify on other workstations. Or MySQL can be installed and managed on a shared organizational server at a department or institution level and accessed by multiple Specify workstations. The setup paths for these three options are outlined briefly below.

1. MySQL and Specify will be installed on a single workstation for access by one or more users on that same computer.

Review the documentation for downloading and installing MySQL and Specify, then run the Specify Setup Wizard to complete the setup of a Specify database.

2. MySQL will be installed on a workstation for using Specify on that machine and also for database access from other workstations running Specify.

Review the documentation for downloading and installing MySQL and Specify on your workstation and configuring MySQL to enable access from other machines. Run the Specify Setup Wizard once on the MySQL workstation to complete the setup of a Specify database. Then download and install Specify on the other workstations and login to the Specify database residing in the MySQL computer.

3. MySQL will be installed on a networked server computer to provide access to multiple Specify workstations.

Review the documentation for downloading and installing MySQL on a server. Two user accounts must be created in the MySQL installation, the Specify “IT User” and the Specify “Master User”. After they are created, download and install Specify on a workstation and run the Specify Setup Wizard once, to complete the setup of a Specify database on the MySQL server computer. Then download and install Specify on any other workstations and login to the Specify database residing in the MySQL computer. Many institutions maintain MySQL database servers for campus- or department-wide use with centralized administration and backup services. If your organization offers MySQL database hosting, technical staff in the central support office may be able to assist in the setup and hosting of your Specify database on an institutional MySQL server computer.