451 CAOS Theory 
A blog for the enterprise open source community
IBM abandons solidDB for MySQL
Matthew Aslett, March 5, 2008 @ 5:15 am ETMatt Asay has the news that IBM has taken the decision to discontinue the development of the solidDB for MySQL database engine following its acquisition of in-memory database specialist Solid Information Technology. The official announcement is here on SourceForge.
As Dhiren Patel, community relations manager writes: “This in-memory technology, and not Solid’s open source offering, was the key driver behind IBM’s acquisition. As a result, I regret to inform you that, effective immediately, we will not be continuing further development on solidDB for MySQL.”
Given the commercial drivers it is not really surprising to see the end of the project, which started out as a means of Solid extending its reach beyond the communications and embedded database segments and dipping its toe into the open source waters. Clearly IBM does not need the solidDB for MySQL project to fulfill those goals.
While it is easy to link the decision to Sun’s recent acquisition of MySQL, my guess is that is not a driver. After all, IBM’s DB2 can also be used as a storage engine for MySQL on System i. If that relationship turns sour you can start looking towards the grassy knoll.
In the meantime, Patel adds that “solidDB for MySQL will continue to be hosted and available here at SourceForge, and existing releases will continue to be available under the GPL. To ensure a smooth transition, developer forums and bug tracking will also be migrated to SourceForge.”
Whether it will get picked up or not is another matter. I’ve heard good things about the project, but with MySQL’s Falcon on the way and numerous other storage engines available, it is unlikely that solidDB for MySQL survive without a patron.
Comments (5) Categories: M&A,Software
[...] BoltPress » Also the official blog.NOVALISTIC wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt Matt Asay has the news that IBM has taken the decision to discontinue the development of the solidDB for MySQL database engine following its acquisition of in-memory database specialist Solid Information Technology. The official announcement is here on SourceForge. As Dhiren Patel, community relations manager writes: “This in-memory technology, and not Solid’s open source offering, was the key driver behind IBM’s acquisition. As a result, I regret to inform you that, effective immediately, we [...]
[...] mars 6, 2008 No, solidDB hasn’t died. In fact, the fact that it’s now free from IBM may actually turn it into an interesting open-source project. But there are few, if any, near-term winners in the mess. Certainly not Solid’s investors, who pumped nearly 100 million euros into the company only to sell it for (rumor has it) 20 million euros. Or so. In fact, the result was bad enough that one of Solid’s venture investors went on the record to declare, “Sijoitus Solidiin ei vastannut sille asetettuja tavoitteita” (“The investment in Solid did not meet the objectives set for it.” … [...]
Solid Technology got what it deserved. They went down the road with bad management way back in the late 90′s. They had a great product back then for $99 that would do what MySQL does now (and this was around ’98). Then they dropped it all and focused on the embedded fad sweeping at that time. The investors have only themselves to blame, they did too little, too late. I love the product, but they shafted the early adopters, and now feel the shaft themselves.
Who will continue solidDB for MySQL development?…
As Matt reported last week, IBM announced that it was bowing out of the solidDB for MySQL project. “Those of you who know Solid’s history know that Solid has long been a leader in the area of in-memory database software. This in-memory technology, an…
[...] Aslett, April 15, 2008 @ 8:24 am ET The solidDB for MySQL database engine for MySQL may have lost its sponsor following IBM’s acquisition of Solid Info Tech but events at this week’s MySQL [...]