MySQL Cluster is the name given to one or more MySQL Server processes, connected to an Ndb Cluster database. From the point of view of the MySQL Server processes, the Ndb Cluster is a Storage Engine, implementing transactional storage of tables containing rows. From the point of view of the Ndb Cluster database, the MySQL Server processes are API nodes, performing DDL and DML transactions on tables stored in the cluster. Both exist independently – Ndb Cluster can be used without attached MySQL Server processes, but almost all users of Ndb Cluster connect at least one MySQL Server for DDL and administration.

Ndb stands for Network DataBase. This is a telecoms phrase where Network usually refers to a fixed or wireless telephone network, rather than the …