MySQL Connector/MXJ is a Java utility package for deploying and managing a MySQL database. Connector/MXJ may be bundled with an existing Java application as a "plain old Java object" (POJO), as a Connector/J socket factory, or as a JMX MBean.

Deploying and using MySQL from Connector/MXJ can be as easy as adding an additional parameter to the JDBC connection url, which will result in the database being started when the first connection is made. This makes it easy for Java developers to deploy applications which require a database by reducing installation barriers for their end-users.

MySQL Connector/MXJ makes the MySQL database appear to be a java-based component. It does this by determining what platform the system is running on, selecting the appropriate binary, and launching the executable. It will also optionally deploy an initial database, with any specified parameters.

As a JMX MBean, MySQL Connector/MXJ requires a JMX v1.2 compliant MBean container, such as JBoss version 4. The MBean will uses the standard JMX management APIs to present (and allow the setting of) parameters which are appropriate for that platform.