MySQL cluster ready for prime-time?

[Jesse Erlbaum]

Hello All --

I am interested in your opinions of MySQL clustering.

I have been a MySQL user since, at least, 1997.  I think it's great, and
I use it wherever possible.  (FYI, my business is custom web-based
software development.)  I have found the releases of MySQL to be
rock-solid:  What they call a "Gamma" is typically as good as what most
other projects would call a release.  I consider MySQL to be
enterprise-class, all the way.

For years I have developed mission-critical system architectures which
have utilized web server clusters to provide fault-tolerance (and
scalability).  Unfortunately, no such option has existed for MySQL.  I
have, instead, relied on extremely fault-tolerant database server
hardware (RAID, multiple power supplies, networks, etc.) to mitigate the
risk of this SPoF.

Right now have two projects which, again, require that I employ HA/FT
architectures.  Before I go down the same path I wanted to evaluate the
new clustering capabilities of MySQL.  What is your experience?  Have
many of you used this new feature on critical production servers?  What
are the pitfalls?

Thanks & warmest regards,

-Jesse-


--

  Jesse Erlbaum
  The Erlbaum Group
  jesse@stripped
  Phone: [phone]
  Fax: [phone]