Merge pull request #252 from percona/distmysql-569-8.4

DiSTMYSQL-569 [DOCS] - Add comparison for PS and PDPS 8.4

Author: patrickbirch

docs/ps-or-pdps.md

@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+# Choose Between Percona Server for MySQL and Percona Distribution for MySQL
+
+When setting up Percona repositories, you can choose between two paths: Percona Distribution for MySQL or Percona Server for MySQL alone. Both use the same core database engine but are designed for different operational scopes.
+
+To read about the standalone server product, see the [Percona Server for MySQL 8.4 :octicons-link-external-16:](https://docs.percona.com/percona-server/8.4/) documentation.
+
+## Check Platform Support
+
+Before choosing a repository, verify that your operating system version is supported for that specific product.
+
+Review the [Percona Software and Platform Lifecycle :octicons-link-external-16:](https://www.percona.com/services/policies/percona-software-support-lifecycle#mysql) page to confirm support for your platform and version.
+
+## Comparison Overview
+
+| Feature | Percona Distribution for MySQL (`pdps-8.4`) | Percona Server for MySQL (`ps-84`) |
+| --- | --- | --- |
+| Primary Goal | A curated collection of components tested together as a complete enterprise stack. | A performance-enhanced, drop-in replacement for MySQL Community Edition. |
+| Included Components | Database server, Percona XtraBackup, HAProxy, ProxySQL, and Orchestrator. | Database server, client, and essential plugins. |
+| Release Cycle | Follows a coordinated release cycle where all bundled components are validated for inter-compatibility. | Follows the MySQL Community release cadence. |
+| Ideal For | High Availability (HA) clusters and mission-critical enterprise environments. | Standalone instances or simple primary/replica setups. |
+
+## Which one should I install?
+
+### Percona Distribution for MySQL
+
+Choose the Distribution (this product) if any of the following apply:
+
+* Deploying a High Availability (HA) environment (e.g., using Percona XtraDB Cluster).
+
+* Wanting Percona to guarantee that the specific versions of the server, proxy, and backup tools provided are fully compatible and tested as a single unit.
+
+* Preferring a single repository entry-point that provides all the tools required for a full production lifecycle (Server + Backups + Management).
+
+### Percona Server for MySQL
+
+Choose standalone Percona Server for MySQL if any of the following apply:
+
+* Wanting a minimal footprint focused solely on the database engine.
+
+* Managing your own infrastructure components (backups, proxies, or orchestration) independently.
+
+* Requiring the latest performance patches and features available in Percona Server but not needing a bundled ecosystem.
+
+## Installation
+
+For information on installing your choice, review the following:
+
+* Percona Distribution for MySQL (this product): [Install Percona Distribution for MySQL 8.4](installing.md)
+
+* Percona Server for MySQL (standalone): [Install Percona Server for MySQL 8.4 :octicons-link-external-16:](https://docs.percona.com/percona-server/8.4/installation.html)

mkdocs-base.yml

@@ -170,6 +170,7 @@ extra:
 nav:
   - Home: index.md
   - get-help.md
+  - ps-or-pdps.md
   - Release notes:
     - Release notes index: release-notes.md
     - Percona Distribution for MySQL using Percona Server for MySQL:
@@ -192,6 +193,7 @@ nav:
   - Discover Percona Distribution for MySQL:
     - components.md
     - deployment-variants.md
+
   - Install and update:
     - installing.md
     - install-pdps.md