As most of us know, Oracle has purchased InnoBase, makers of the InnoDB transactional engine for MySQL. This leaves MySQL in an awkward position. Although the code is GPL'd, it cannot be sold under a non-GPL license should Oracle change the licensing terms, or the cost of the license. So, MySQL needs another transactional engine. Two have emerged solidDB, via acquisition of the parent company that makes that database http://solutions.mysql.com/solutions/item.php?id=219 http://www.mysql.com/news-and-events/news/article_1206.html And Falcon, which is build by Jim Starkey (ex-DEC, Firebird co-creator). http://www.mysql.org/doc/refman/5.1/en/se-falcon-features.html http://forge.mysql.com/wiki/Falcon So, just a heads up on what is going on. Not clear if MySQL intends to push two engines, or just hedging their bets to see which one pans out.