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Connect to a MySQL data source
10 min
Milestone 1
Value of MySQL monitoring
1 min
Milestone 2
Advantages of MySQL data source
1 min
Milestone 3
Prepare Configuration
1 min
Milestone 4
Add MySQL data source
1 min
Milestone 5
Configure MySQL data source
1 min
Milestone 6
Select PDC and test connection
1 min
Milestone 7
Verify query
1 min
Milestone 8
Destination reached!
1 min

Connect to a MySQL data source in Grafana Cloud

Welcome to the Grafana learning journey that provides best practices for configuring a MySQL data source plugin.

MySQL is one of the world’s most popular open source relational database management systems. The MySQL data source allows you to query and visualize data from MySQL databases directly within Grafana, enabling you to create comprehensive dashboards that display database metrics, application data, and business intelligence insights.

This journey teaches you how to configure a data source plugin that enables you to query, visualize, and create dashboards with data from your MySQL database.

The following image shows an example MySQL data source configured successfully:

Example MySQL data source configured successfully in Grafana Cloud

Here’s what to expect

When you complete this journey, you’ll be able to:

  • Understand the value of monitoring MySQL databases through observability
  • Learn the advantages of using the MySQL data source in Grafana Cloud
  • Create a dedicated Grafana user in your MySQL server for monitoring
  • Add and configure the MySQL data source plugin in Grafana Cloud
  • Enter the connection details and credentials for your MySQL server
  • Select a PDC agent and test the database connection
  • Verify that your MySQL data appears in Grafana Cloud

Before you begin

Before you connect to a MySQL data source, ensure you have:

  • A Grafana Cloud account. To create an account, refer to Grafana Cloud.
  • Experience working with MySQL and understand its basic setup and operation.
  • MySQL server is up and running.
  • Access to a MySQL database server with data you want to visualize.
  • Database connection credentials including hostname, port, database name, username, and password.
  • Network firewall is open for the MySQL server (default port is 3306).
  • Network access for the private data source connection (PDC) to connect Grafana Cloud with your MySQL server.
  • Basic familiarity with SQL queries for data retrieval.
  • Created a private connection to a data source and the PDC agent is running.

Troubleshooting

If you get stuck, we’ve got your back! Where appropriate, troubleshooting information is just a click away.

More to explore

We understand you might want to explore other capabilities not strictly on this path. We’ll provide you opportunities where it makes sense.

Related journeys

Consider taking the following journeys before you start this journey.

Create a private connection to a data source
Create a private connection to a data source
13 min
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Beginner
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Docs & blog posts
Are you ready?
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