The skip-bdb option could be a leftover from much earlier times, as the box has started with Debian sarge in 2007...
- Bug#682232: Failed upgrade of mysql from squeeze to wheezy Johannes Ranke
- Bug#682232: [debian-mysql] Bug#682232: Failed upgrade ... Clint Byrum
- Bug#682232: [debian-mysql] Bug#682232: Failed upgr... Johannes Ranke
- Bug#682232: Failed upgrade of mysql from squeeze to wh... Johannes Ranke
