DotNetNuke Data Provider for MySQL is a data access layer based on MyDirect .NET. It allows DotNetNuke to work with MySQL server. This topic provides information on installing and using the DotNetNuke Data Provider for MySQL.

DotNetNuke is a well-known open source content management system with rich functionality that covers widest variety of web developers' needs. It is built on a Microsoft ASP.NET (VB.NET) platform, and is easily installed and hosted. For more information on the product refer to DotNetNuke official site. Its architecture allows you to connect to any relational database management system, but as for now there’s only database is supported by default - Microsoft SQL Server.

However, MS SQL Server is not considered as an ideal solution for web applications. It is not a secret that nowadays MySQL is the most popular database used in web projects, and there's no surprise that some developers would like to use MySQL database with DotNetNuke.

Core Lab offers an easy and efficient solution that provides MySQL connectivity for DotNetNuke projects. Our DotNetNuke Data Provider for MySQL is a complete replacement for default DotNetNuke SQL Server data provider. It works in conjunction with another our product – MyDirect .NET, and this combination allows you to utilize MySQL database in your DotNetNuke projects as if it was MS SQL Server database.

Note that DotNetNuke Data Provider for MySQL should be downloaded from the site separately from the MyDirect .NET installation. To download the file visit the following page: http://crlab.com/mysqlnet/download.html

DotNetNuke Data Provider for MySQL includes data layers for the following modules:

• Announcements (v03.04.00)
• Documents (v03.01.06)
• Events (v03.03.08)
• FAQs (v04.04.00)
• Feedback (v04.04.01)
• IFrame (v03.02.03)
• Links (v03.03.07)
• Repository (v03.01.13)
• UserDefinedTable (v03.04.00)
• UsersOnline (v03.01.00)

• MySQL Server version 5.0 and higher
• Internet Information Server 5, 6 or 7
• ASP.NET Framework 2.0
• User must have sufficient permissions to install applications on the web server
• Appropriate DotNetNuke version must be installed correctly on the web server
• Appropriate MyDirect .NET version must be installed correctly on the web server

To start using DotNetNuke Data Provider for MySQL, perform the following steps. Note that these actions should be taken on your development machine, not the production server. For instructions on how to setup your DotNetNuke project on the production server please refer to section Deployment.

• Make sure MyDirect .NET^* is installed on your development web server.

• Unpack the compressed file mysqldnn.zip to the root folder of your site. DotNetNuke files should be there already.

  Note that some files will be overwritten, so it is recommended that you make a backup copy.

• Adjust the connection string to match your configuration for all "SiteMySqlServer" occurrences in the CoreLabMySql-DNN-4.7.0.0.config file and rename it to Web.config. Also check that assemblyBinding section contains proper values. The section is well commented, so you will know what to update.

• Start the initialization routine of the site and follow the wizard. The necessary database objects and data will be created in the database you specified in the connection string.

  Note that upgrade of database objects is not supported.

^* If you are a registered user of MyDirect .NET, you can use your Standard or Professional Edition in conjunction with DotNetNuke Data Provider for MySQL. If you do not have a license for MyDirect .NET, you can download and use Trial Edition for a period of 30 days.

Follow these instructions if you are deploying your DotNetNuke project on a shared web hosting, where you should not install MyDirect .NET.

• Create files licenses.licx and App_Licenses.dll for you project. This can be done in the License Information Dialog of MyDirect .NET. To invoke the dialog choose Tools | MySQL | License Information menu item. The file App_Licenses.dll should be uploaded to the Bin folder of your site.
• Copy assemblies CoreLab.Data.dll and CoreLab.MySql.dll to the Bin folder of your site. These assemblies should be uploaded as well.
• Upload your project to the server. Once again, your site should contain the assemblies App_Licenses.dll, CoreLab.Data.dll, and CoreLab.MySql.dll in the Bin folder.

DotNetNuke Data Provider for MySQL is tested with MyDirect .NET 4.50 and DotNetNuke version 4.7.0.0. MySQL Server version should be 5.0 or higher. Please note that compatibility with other versions of DotNetNuke is not guaranteed.