MySQL Proxy: Purpose & Benefits

MySQL Proxy serves as a middle layer between the MySQL server and client, providing additional functionality and improved performance.

Some of the main uses include:

1. Load balancing: MySQL Proxy can distribute database requests among multiple MySQL servers to achieve load balancing. By configuring multiple backend MySQL servers in the proxy, requests can be distributed to different servers, thus improving system scalability and performance.
2. High availability: MySQL Proxy can monitor the health status of backend MySQL servers and automatically redirect requests to other available servers in the event of server failure or unavailability. This provides increased system availability and fault tolerance.
3. MySQL Proxy can intercept and modify client queries, allowing for query filtering and rewriting. Custom scripts can be written in the Proxy to adjust, filter, or intercept queries to meet specific business needs.
4. Monitoring and logging: MySQL Proxy can monitor and log database requests for performance analysis, troubleshooting, and security auditing purposes. By configuring the Proxy’s log level and format, it is possible to customize the recording of query logs, connection logs, and error logs, among other information.

In general, MySQL Proxy offers a more flexible and scalable way to manage and control database requests, allowing for features such as load balancing, high availability, query filtering, and rewriting without the need to modify application code.