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20 Years of OSS Databases

Published 7 Jan 2026

Duration: 1556

Percona's evolution, from professional MySQL services to leading open-source database provider, was discussed in the context of technological advancements and industry shifts.

Episode Description

Peter Zairsev (@PeterZaitsev, Founder of @Percona) talks about the history of OSS databases, and how AI is reshaping the demands on modern databases....

Overview

The podcast delves into the history and evolution of Percona, a company founded over 20 years ago by Peter Zaitsev. Initially focused on offering professional services for MySQL management, Percona has since grown into a major provider of open source database tools and solutions without seeking venture capital. The discussion highlights how the shift toward cloud computing and SaaS has transformed the open source database industry, reducing demand for certain professional services but creating new opportunities for trusted partners.

The podcast also covers Percona's range of open source products, including Percona Server, PMM, and Everest, which are monetized through subscription-based support. Additional topics include the increasing importance of regulatory compliance and data sovereignty in database management. Furthermore, the conversation touches on the impact of AI on databases, including advancements in vector databases and embeddings, as well as the historical development of database technologies such as XML, relational databases, and JSON.

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