Existing setup:
generic linux 2.4 server/router
apache 2.0
php 5.0.2
postgresql 7.4.6

Someone now wants to move a large body of PHP code, which is mySQL-specific, onto the server, and does not want to modify it to use postgres or generic database methods. Political/religious issues aside, is there any technical reason that mySQL cannot be installed and run on the same server? If yes, are there work-arounds? My basic understanding is that SQL database servers communicate through UNIX &/or TCP-IP sockets. Do different databases use different ports? Is this a configurable item?

Has anyone actually done this?

Any pointers to forums or other online sites that specialize in matters like this?

Thanks.

--- rod.

Different databases use different ports, but they are definitely configurable. As for communication, each one has its own API...

Probably the main technical reason why you wouldn't want to run both on the same server would be server load - another DBMS instance running can really bring your hardware to its knees (depending on how much traffic the sites get).

As for another forum, the MySQL people are great and responsive on their forum (dev.mysql.com). Ask them questions and you'll likely be talking with a MySQL employee in no time.