Configuration of MySQLGenLogTest

The general query log is a general record of what mysqld (a single multi-threaded program that does most of the work in a MySQL installation) is doing. The server writes information to this log when clients connect or disconnect, and it logs each SQL statement received from clients. The general query log can be very useful when you suspect an error in a client and want to know exactly what the client sent to mysqld.

When the general query log is enabled, the server writes output to any of the destinations specified by the log_output system variable. If you enable the log, the server opens the log file and writes startup messages to it.

In environments where hundreds of clients connect to the target database server, frequent errors encountered by the clients while connecting/disconnecting to the server may often lead to performance issues. To debug such issues, administrators should enable the general query log and keep track on the growth rate of the log. The MySQLGenLogTest test helps administrators in keeping a constant vigil on the general query log.

This test periodically monitors the general query log of the target database server and reports whether/not the general query log is enabled. This test also reports the total file size of the general query log and the growth rate of the log file. Using this test, administrators can quickly determine abnormal growth patterns of the general query log.

The default parameters associated with this test are:

• The TEST PERIOD list box helps the user to choose how often should the test be executed.

• In the HOST text box, specify the IP address of the host for which the test is to be configured.

• In the PORT text box, specify the port at which the specified host listens.

• In the DATABASE text box specify the name of a database on the target MySQL database server being monitored.

• The eG agent has to be configured with the credentials of a user who has server-wide Process and Select privileges on the monitored MySQL server. Specify the credentials of such a user in the USERNAME and PASSWORD text boxes. To know how to create such a user, refer to Pre-requisites for Monitoring the MySQL Server topic in the Monitoring MySQL Server document.

• Confirm the password by retyping it in the CONFIRM PASSWORD text box.

• If multiple components of the same component type are awaiting configuration, then an APPLY TO OTHER COMPONENTS check box will appear in this page. Clicking on this check box will allow you to apply the configuration to all/selected components of that type.

• Once the above values are provided, click on the UPDATE button to register the changes made.

When changing the configuration for specific servers, a “*” beside the text box corresponding to the parameter signifies that these values have to be manually configured by the user. The parameter values that require to be configured will typically be prefixed with a “$” or contain a series of “*”. A value of “none” in the parameter value indicates that the corresponding parameter value can be changed if required.