Install MySQL Server

This guide walks you through installing and configuring a MySQL (or MariaDB) server for E-LabNotebook 3 multi-user mode.

What You Need

ComponentPurpose
MySQL 8.0+ or MariaDB 10+Database server
Network accessClients connect over TCP port 3306

ELN3 uses the FireDAC MySQL driver (libmysql.dll) on the client side. The server can run on any platform — Windows, Linux, or a NAS appliance like Synology.

Option A: Standard MySQL/MariaDB on Windows or Linux

Install MySQL

Download and install MySQL Community Server from mysql.com or install MariaDB from mariadb.org.

During installation:

  • Enable TCP/IP networking on port 3306
  • Set a root password — write it down

Create the ELN3 database and user

Connect to MySQL as root and run:

-- Create database with utf8mb4 (required by ELN3)
CREATE DATABASE eln3db
  CHARACTER SET utf8mb4
  COLLATE utf8mb4_general_ci;

-- Create a dedicated user (replace 'YourPassword')
CREATE USER 'eln3user'@'%' IDENTIFIED BY 'YourPassword';

-- Grant full access to the ELN database
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON eln3db.* TO 'eln3user'@'%';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

Note: ELN3 auto-creates all tables on first connection — you do NOT need to run any schema scripts.

Option B: Synology NAS (MariaDB 10)

  1. Open DSM > Package Center
  2. Search for MariaDB 10 and install it
  3. Set a root password during installation
  4. Open MariaDB 10 from the main menu and check Enable TCP/IP connection

Install phpMyAdmin from Package Center for a web-based admin UI, then create the database and user as described above (either via phpMyAdmin or SSH).

Firewall Configuration

Ensure port 3306 is open for incoming connections from your LAN:

  • Windows Firewall: Add an inbound rule for TCP port 3306
  • Linux (ufw): sudo ufw allow from 192.168.1.0/24 to any port 3306
  • Synology: DSM > Control Panel > Security > Firewall — allow port 3306 from your LAN subnet

Security: Restrict MySQL access to your LAN subnet. Do not expose port 3306 to the internet. For remote access, use a VPN.

Client-Side Requirements

Each workstation running ELN3 needs libmysql.dll (32-bit) in the same folder as ELabNotebook3.exe. You can get it from:

  • MariaDB Connector/C — download the 32-bit version, extract libmysql.dll
  • Or copy it from an existing MariaDB/MySQL Windows installation

Verify the Installation

  1. From another machine on the network, test the connection: 
    mysql -h <server-ip> -u eln3user -p eln3db
  2. If the connection succeeds, MySQL is ready for ELN3

Next Steps