MySQL Read/Write Splitting with ProxySQL
By Tom Nonmacher
In a database-driven world where data access must be fast, efficient, and uninterrupted, MySQL read/write splitting with ProxySQL is the game changer. ProxySQL is a high-performance MySQL protocol proxy that allows for advanced database traffic management and facilitates the process of distributing database traffic among various MySQL servers. One of its exceptional features is read/write splitting that provides an efficient way to scale out read traffic.
So, what does read/write splitting mean in a nutshell? In a typical database setup, you have one server handling both read and write operations, which can lead to performance bottlenecks. With read/write splitting, you can separate read and write operations, directing them to different servers: write operations go to the master server, while read operations are distributed among one or more replica servers.
Before you begin, make sure that you have MySQL 8.0, ProxySQL, and SQL Server 2019 installed on your system. Also, create a master MySQL server and at least one replica server. Let's first set up ProxySQL to recognize and communicate with your MySQL servers.
INSERT INTO mysql_servers(hostgroup_id, hostname, port) VALUES (1,'master_server',3306);
INSERT INTO mysql_servers(hostgroup_id, hostname, port) VALUES (2,'replica_server',3306);
LOAD MYSQL SERVERS TO RUNTIME;
SAVE MYSQL SERVERS TO DISK;
The next step is to configure read/write splitting. ProxySQL uses query rules to determine how to handle and route queries. We will set up a rule that routes all write traffic (and other non-transactional read traffic) to the master server, and all the SELECT statements to the replica servers.
INSERT INTO mysql_query_rules (rule_id, active, match_pattern, destination_hostgroup, apply) VALUES (1,1,'^SELECT',2,1);
LOAD MYSQL QUERY RULES TO RUNTIME;
SAVE MYSQL QUERY RULES TO DISK;
ProxySQL doesn't replace the need for a good DBMS. It is an intermediary, a "traffic cop" of sorts, that helps manage and optimize your database traffic. For instance, you can still benefit from the robust features of SQL Server 2019, Azure SQL, or DB2 11.5, while using ProxySQL to maximize the efficiency and performance of your database operations.
Let's illustrate with a SQL Server 2019 example. Suppose we have a stored procedure that performs both read and write operations. ProxySQL will ensure that the read operations will be routed to the replica servers while the write operations will be directed to the master server.
Similarly, with Azure SQL and Azure Synapse, ProxySQL can help optimize data traffic, especially in large-scale applications. Azure Synapse is an integrated analytics service that accelerates the extraction of insights from all data. With ProxySQL, you can ensure that your analytics queries do not adversely affect your transactional processing, leading to a more efficient and optimized data operation.
In conclusion, MySQL read/write splitting with ProxySQL is a vital strategy for managing and optimizing database traffic. Not only does it help increase performance by distributing traffic, but it also ensures uninterrupted data access by providing failover support. Whether you're working with MySQL 8.0, SQL Server 2019, DB2 11.5, Azure SQL, or Azure Synapse, ProxySQL can be your powerful partner in achieving a highly efficient and optimized database system.