Slide 7 of 10

MySQL integration

MySQL integration

If you can’t use Database Observability for MySQL — for example, if you’re running MySQL 5.6 or MariaDB — the MySQL integration provides infrastructure-level monitoring with pre-built dashboards and alerts.

Already using Database Observability for MySQL? You don’t need this integration. Database Observability includes everything the integration provides and adds query-level analysis on top. This integration is for users who need MySQL monitoring without the deeper query-level features.
What it monitorsConnections, query throughput, InnoDB buffer pool, replication status, table locks
How it worksGrafana Alloy’s built-in MySQL exporter scrapes metrics from your MySQL instance
What you get15 alerts + 2 dashboards + log collection
Supported versionsMySQL >= 5.6, MariaDB >= 10.2

What you’ll see in the dashboards

  • MySQL — Connection statistics, query throughput (selects, inserts, updates, deletes), InnoDB buffer pool usage, and table lock waits
  • MySQL logs — Log analysis for error tracking and troubleshooting

Integration vs. Database Observability

MySQL integrationDatabase Observability
Aggregate query throughputIndividual query performance
Connection countsWhich connections consume resources
Replication up/downReplication lag details
MySQL 5.6+, MariaDB 10.2+MySQL 8.0+ only (no MariaDB)
15–20 minute setup30–60 minute setup

Trade-offs

StrengthsConsiderations
Broadest MySQL version support (5.6+, MariaDB)No query-level visibility (no explain plans or wait events)
15 pre-built alerts covering connections, replication, and performanceAggregate metrics only — can’t identify specific slow queries
Log collection for error trackingFor MySQL 8.0+, Database Observability is the better choice
Learning path

Monitor MySQL with Grafana Alloy

Welcome to the Grafana learning path that shows you how to monitor MySQL databases with Grafana Alloy and use pre-built dashboards and alerts in Grafana Cloud.

17 min
Beginner
Docs & blog posts

Open in Grafana Cloud

Complete this learning path directly in your Grafana Cloud stack with an interactive learning experience.

Open in Grafana Cloud
View on website

Path completed

Script

The MySQL integration provides infrastructure-level monitoring for users who can’t use Database Observability. That might be because the MySQL version is older than 8.0, or because the database is running MariaDB.

If Database Observability is already set up for MySQL, this integration isn’t needed. Database Observability includes everything the integration provides and adds query-level analysis on top.

The integration ships with 15 alerts and 2 dashboards. The MySQL overview dashboard covers connection statistics, query throughput, InnoDB buffer pool usage, and table lock waits. The MySQL logs dashboard helps with error tracking and troubleshooting.

The comparison table on this slide shows exactly where the integration stops and Database Observability picks up. The integration shows aggregate throughput and connection counts. Database Observability shows which individual queries are slow and why.

If MySQL integration is the right fit, scroll down to start the learning path.

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