Monitoring MySQL Cluster with MySQL Enterprise Monitor

MySQL Enterprise Monitor with MySQL Cluster

A few months ago, I posted a walkthrough of how to extend MySQL Enterprise Monitor in order to monitor MySQL Cluster. The great news is that as of MySQL Enterprise Monitor 2.3 (available from Oracle E-Delivery since 1st November) this functionality is included in the core product and so there is no need to add the extra features in manually. Of course, that post might still be of interest if you want to further extend MySQL Enterprise Monitor.

This post briefly steps through the new (Cluster-specific) functionality but if you’re interested, why not try it for yourself and download the new MySQL Enterprise Monitor software from Oracle E-Delivery. If you like what you see then the good news is that if you take out a subscription for MySQL Cluster CGE (or buy a license) then this now also entitles you to use MySQL Enterprise Monitor.

There are two main aspects that have been extended to cover MySQL Cluster:

• A new MySQL Cluster Advisor has been added. This Advisor is made up of a set of rules that check various aspects of the data nodes and raise alerts if a configurable threshold is exceeded
• A set of new graphs have been added so that you can monitor the usage of key resources over time.

Note that MySQL Enterprise Monitor has no direct connection to the data nodes and so one or more of the MySQL Servers from the Cluster is effectively used as a proxy. There is nothing special for you to configure on the servers, behind the scenes, Enterprise Monitor is reading the contents of the ndbinfo database that was introduced in MySQL Cluster 7.1.

If using an older version of MySQL Cluster then you get less benefit from MySQL Enterprise Monitor but there is still some value in using it to monitor the MySQL Servers that are part of the cluster:

• Use the Query Analyzer to keep track of how your applications access the database and troubleshoot performance issues
• Monitor the state of the MySQL Server itself (number of client connections, CPU usage etc.)
• Generate alerts when data nodes are out of service.

Schedule Cluster Rules Against the Servers

There is documentation covering installing and running the MySQL Enterprise Monitor service manager and agents and so I won’t repeat the steps here except to point out that you need one or more of the agents to be configured to monitor one or more of the MySQL Servers in your Cluster. Of course, you could monitor multiple MySQL Cluster deployments from the same dashboard – just make sure that you have an agent monitoring at least one MySQL Server from each one.

By default, none of the rules from the MySQL Cluster Advisor are scheduled against any of your servers and so the first thing you need to do is go to the “Advisors” tab and from their select “Add to Schedule”. Select the server(s) on the left and then check the radio button(s) against the whole Cluster advisor or against one or more of the rules within it and click the “schedule” button. You’ll then be given the option to override the default frequency that each rule is run before confirming the activation (scheduling) of the rule(s) for your server(s). This is also the point where you can indicate whether or not an SNMP Trap should be raised when the alert is raised/cleared (the destinations for the SNMP notifications can be set under the “Settings” tab).

Error scheduling rules against wrong version of MySQL Server

Note that if you try scheduling the Cluster Advisor rules against a MySQL Server that is not part of a MySQL Cluster 7.1 (or later) deployment they you will get errors indicating that the server cannot provide the required data.

MySQL Cluster Graphs

The new MySQL Cluster graphs are activated by default and you can view them from the “Graphs” tab but note that if there are no MySQL Cluster 7.1 servers in the list that you highlight on the left of the browser then the Cluster graphs will be hidden.

Customize Cluster Rule

Note that there is still scope for simple customizations directly from the the MySQL Enterprise Monitor GUI. For example if you don’t think that the default thresholds are appropriate for your configuration then select “Manage Rules” within the “Advisors” tab and then click “edit” next to the rule in question – you then get the option to alter the threshold values.

As a final configuration step, go back to the “Monitor” tab and click on “edit favorites” to promote your favourite Cluster graphs to the home screen.

Details of Cluster alert

MySQL Cluster Demo from Oracle OpenWorld

If you weren’t able to attend Oracle OpenWorld or didn’t get chance to  visit the MySQL demo booths then you can watch a recording of the demo here. The video gives a brief description of MySQL Cluster and then dives into a series of demos showing MySQL Cluster’s ability to cope with a number of events without losing service – including node failure, on-line upgrades and on-line horizontal scaling.

To view a higher quality version click here.

MySQL Cluster 7.1.8 binaries released

The binary version for MySQL Cluster 7.1.8 has now been made available at http://www.mysql.com/downloads/cluster/

A description of all of the changes (fixes) that have gone into MySQL Cluster 7.1.8 (compared to 7.1.5) can be found in the official MySQL Cluster documentation.

MySQL Cluster session from Oracle OpenWorld – replay is available.

As part of “MySQL Sunday” at this year’s Oracle Open World, Mat Keep and I  presented on the MySQL Cluster architecture and the latest features. If you weren’t able to attend then you can watch/listen to the replay here.

MySQL Cluster documentation on iPhone/iPad

MySQL Cluster in iBooks

MySQL documentation has now been made available in ePub format (fetch the MySQL Cluster versions from http://dev.mysql.com/doc/index-cluster.html ). This format is intended for various book readers.

I’ve tried it on 2 iPhone applications; Apple’s iBooks and the iPhone version of Stanza. The documents render well in both applications but as with most reference books you get the best results if you reduce the font size so that you get more on the screen at once.

With both applications, you can add the books through iTunes but Stanza also has the advantage that if you browse to the document in Opera on the iPhone then it gives you the option of opening it in Stanza – cutting out the need to use iTunes. I also prefer the rendering in Stanza. The only problems I’ve come across with Stanza is that you have to add the cover images yourself (if you care) – not a huge problem.

Page in iBooks

MySQL Cluster docs in Stanza library

Page in Stanza

Browse MySQL Cluster ePub docs on iPhone

MySQL Cluster 7.1.5 binaries released

The binary version for MySQL Cluster 7.1.5 has now been made available at http://www.mysql.com/downloads/cluster/

A description of all of the changes (fixes) that have gone into MySQL Cluster 7.1.5 (compared to 7.1.4) can be found in the MySQL Cluster 7.1.5 Change Log.

Upcoming webinar: MySQL Cluster deployment best practices

On Wednesday 25 August, Johan Anderson and Mat keep will be presenting a free webinar on the best practices for deploying MySQL Cluster. If you’d like to attend then just register here.

Johan has years of MySQL Cluster professional services experience – and so if you’re interested in deploying a product ready MySQL Cluster database then this is a must-view session. Even if you can’t make it live, register anyway and you’ll be sent a link to the recording and charts afterwards.

Content

An invaluable session for those who are about to, or who already have, deployed MySQL Cluster. Delivered by the lead MySQL Cluster professional services consultant in Oracle, this session will present best practices on deploying MySQL Cluster in order to accelerate time to service with the highest levels of availability and performance to support your most critical web and telecoms applications.

The session will cover:

WHEN

Install, configure and run MySQL Cluster – demo video

There is a new video available: Demonstration of installing, configuring and running MySQL Cluster (LINUX) to accompany the MySQL Cluster Quick Start guides. The Flash video video lasts for about 7 minutes.

If you aren’t able to view Flash on your device then a (poorer quality) version is included here – watch the Flash version if you’re able to!

MySQL Cluster presentation at Oracle Open World 2010

As part of “MySQL Sunday” at this year’s Oracle Open World, Mat Keep and I will be presenting on the latest MySQL Cluster features. We’ll be presenting at 15:30 (Pacific Time) on 19th September (the event starts with a key note at 12:30).

If you’re attending Oracle Open World then please indicate that you’d like to attend the MySQL Sunday when you register. If you aren’t planning to go to Oracle Open World but will be in the San Francisco area then buying a Discover pass (only $50 if you register by 16 July) will get you into the MySQL Sunday sessions. Register here.

For details on the presentations and speakers, check here.

Breakfast seminar on what’s new with MySQL – London

If you’re in London on Thursday 24th June then there’s a great chance to find out what’s new in MySQL.

Join us for an Oracle MySQL Breakfast Seminar to better understand Oracle’s MySQL strategy and what’s new with MySQL!
Agenda:
09:00 a.m.    Welcome Coffee/Tea
09:30 a.m.    Oracle’s MySQL Strategy
10:00 a.m.    What’s New – The MySQL Server & MySQL Cluster
10.45 a.m.    Coffee/Tea Break
11:00 a.m.    What’s New – MySQL Enterprise & MySQL Workbench
11:45 a.m.    Q&A
12:00 noon    End of the Breakfast Seminar

Cost?
None, it’s a free event! But places are limited and the seminar is held on a first come first served basis, so register quickly!

Location:

Sun Microsystem’s Customer Briefing Center
Regis House
45 King William Street
London EC4R 9AN
Tel: (020) 7628 3000

Image courtesy of Anirudh Koul.