# Using a different database

The Liferay portal server uses a relational database to store configuration and state, such as portlet preferences, user permissions, system settings, and more.

By default, Liferay uses Hypersonic (HSQL), which is an embedded database running inside the Java virtual machine. HSQL is useful for standing up a Liferay instance very quickly, but must NOT be used in production due to performance issues and its inability to support clustered Liferay instances.

For instructions on switching to another supported database system, see the Liferay Portal Administrator's Guide. Keep the following details in mind:

- The Discovery Framework ships with a portal-ext.properties file (in the portal distribution's root directory). You can modify this file instead of creating a new one.
- Endeca has tested the Discovery Framework on MySQL and DB2. Other databases are expected to work but have not been explicitly tested.