# Overview of switching to a different database

This topic provides a high-level overview of the steps involved in switching from the default Hypersonic database to the production RDBMS of your choice.

Note: Because the details vary from database to database, this topic only provides a high-level overview of this process. For detailed information, see the Liferay Portal Administrator's Guide.

To switch to a different database:

1. Install and verify that your database is working.
2. Create a new empty database or schema for the Liferay portal.
3. Create a database user for the Liferay portal.
4. Grant that user access to the appropriate database/schema, with privileges to create tables, alter schemas, and so on in that database. Ensure that the user has remote access from the Liferay application servers.
5. Stop Liferay if it is running.
6. Edit the portal-ext.properties file. In the JDBC section, comment out the settings for Hypersonic, and uncomment the settings for your database.
7. Edit the settings for your database of choice, adding the appropriate username and password and editing the JDBC connection string as necessary.
8. Start the Discovery Framework. Monitor its logs to ensure for any error messages while connecting to the database and creating tables.
9. After tables have been created and you have validated Liferay is running, you may remove the liferay user's alter table privileges. Note you may have to add these back later if you upgrade Liferay or install components that require schema changes.