This open-source provider is a client-server version which requires that a dedicated (or non-dedicated) server be running the database which operates in using the client-server paradigm. The database server can be at a remote location, in your workgroup, or on your own computer. MySQL server runs on Windows and Linux operating systems.
The client-server version of the MySQL provider offers high-performance, robust file and record locking for multi-user access, but can be quite difficult to install and configure. You may need to worry about configuring IP addresses and enabling ports on multiple firewalls.
You can access a departmental MySQL instance, or install the MySQL server on your own computer or on another computer on the network. The server product can be downloaded from www.mysql.org for free.
You may need to configure port 3306 (by default) on your firewalls to access the server. The database administrator (DBA) will need to set up a username and password for your use. If you want to allow WRDB to create databases for you, you must know the administrator password. Otherwise, have the DBA create the databases you need. If you install the server software on your own computer, access it using the server name of "localhost". The initial default adminstrator username is root.
MySQL has many open-source tools to help you manage your database outside of WRDB.