diff --git a/doc/INSTALL.md b/doc/INSTALL.md
index efae8f632..c8292310c 100644
--- a/doc/INSTALL.md
+++ b/doc/INSTALL.md
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@
 
 ## On the database server ##
 
+This host is where the MySQL database runs.  It could be the same machine as your network management server (this is hte most common initial deployment scenario).
+
     apt-get install mysql-server mysql-client
     mysql -uroot -p