Azure Documentation

Azure Database for MySQL Monitoring

Monitoring your Azure Database for MySQL instances is crucial for understanding performance, identifying potential issues, and ensuring optimal resource utilization. Azure provides a comprehensive suite of tools and metrics to help you achieve this.

Key Monitoring Areas

Performance Metrics

Track vital performance indicators such as CPU utilization, memory usage, storage I/O, network traffic, and query latency. These metrics help identify bottlenecks and performance degradation.

Connection Management

Monitor active connections, connection attempts, and failed connections. Understanding connection patterns is key to preventing connection pool exhaustion.

Query Performance

Analyze slow queries, query execution plans, and the number of queries executed per second. Tools like the Slow Query Log are invaluable for optimization.

Storage and Disk Usage

Keep an eye on disk space consumption and I/O operations. Proactive storage management prevents unexpected downtime.

Replication Status

For read replicas, monitor replication lag to ensure data consistency between the primary and replica instances.

Azure Monitor Integration

Azure Database for MySQL integrates seamlessly with Azure Monitor, providing a unified platform for all your monitoring needs.

  • Metrics: Access a rich set of predefined metrics directly from the Azure portal or via the Azure Monitor API.
  • Logs: Collect diagnostic logs, including slow query logs and general logs, for in-depth analysis. Configure log destinations to Azure Storage, Log Analytics, or Event Hubs.
  • Alerts: Set up custom alerts based on specific metric thresholds or log events. Receive notifications via email, SMS, or webhook to proactively address issues.
  • Dashboards: Create personalized dashboards in Azure Monitor to visualize key metrics and logs in one place, tailored to your operational needs.
Tip: Enable the slow query log to capture queries exceeding a specified execution time. This is essential for performance tuning.

Monitoring Tools and Features

Azure Portal

The Azure portal provides a user-friendly interface to view performance metrics, configure alerts, and access diagnostic logs.

  • Navigate to your Azure Database for MySQL resource.
  • Access the "Monitoring" section for "Metrics", "Diagnostic settings", and "Alerts".

Azure CLI and PowerShell

Automate monitoring tasks and retrieve metrics programmatically using Azure CLI and PowerShell scripts.

# Example: Get server metrics using Azure CLI
az monitor metrics list --resource-id  --metric-names cpu_percent --interval PT5M

Query Performance Insight

A feature within the Azure portal that helps you identify the longest-running queries, the most executed queries, and the queries that consume the most resources.

Intelligent Performance

Azure Database for MySQL offers intelligent insights into your database's performance, suggesting potential optimizations and highlighting anomalies.

Best Practices for Monitoring

  • Define Baselines: Understand your database's normal performance characteristics to easily detect deviations.
  • Set Meaningful Alerts: Configure alerts for critical metrics (e.g., high CPU, low storage, replication lag) to ensure timely intervention.
  • Regularly Review Logs: Analyze slow query logs and general logs to identify and address performance issues proactively.
  • Utilize Dashboards: Create customized dashboards for at-a-glance monitoring of your key performance indicators.
  • Monitor Costs: Keep track of resource utilization to optimize spending and avoid unexpected bills.