Hi Dennis - data can be fetched with either a connector or with an ad hoc data source.  The choice is defined by the use case you have.  What is the difference:

• A connector will talk to the database continuously, fetching data from it, and create a managed object in DataMiner (visible in your surveyor tree, aka an element).  That object will then contain all the data that you fetched, and can then be used for a variety of use cases, such as alarming on metrics, trending, be part of automation procedures, correlation, etc.  The connector will define when to fetch data, at which intervals and all that.

• An ad hoc data source will not create such a managed object.  The ad hoc data source is only available in dashboards and user-definable apps (you can select it there as part of a GQI query - which will then allow you to further manipulate the data, like filtering and aggregating data).  The data of an ad hoc data source will only be fetched when the dashboard or user-definable app using it is opened by a user.  In other words, the data is not fetched continuously in the background, and cannot be used for functions such as alarm monitoring, trending, etc.

If you are interested in ad hoc data sources, you can read all about it over here: Get ad hoc data | DataMiner Docs

If you are looking to build a connector, you would get started over here: About DataMiner connectors | DataMiner Docs

You could either make a connector tailored to your specific needs (because a MySQL  database is a very generic source, and could have a broad range of data sets and structures to be dealt with, for a wide range of use cases - so the most optimal solution could be something tailored to that specifically).

Then again, we also have a Generic MySQL Query connector, which provides a general implementation of an interaction with a MySQL database.  You can use that driver to fetch data from a MySQL database, just by configuring such an instance through it data display UI. Or it can also serve as a sample for you on how a connector can interact with MySQL (in case you want to develop something from scratch to have a tailored solution for your specific database and your specific use case).

Our catalog is not fully launched, so you might not be able yet to get that connector loaded on your DataMiner System (we are working on a new version of the catalog that will launch soon, and all connectors will then be accessible for everybody, also the ones that are not licensed - just to facilitate the work of DevOps professionals).  But let us know what you need and we'll make sure you get it, and get going with your work.

Cheers

Ben