Can MySQL Achieve Linked Server Functionality Like SQL Server?

Exploring Linked Server Functionality in MySQL

In the realm of database interoperability, it is often necessary to connect to and manipulate data from multiple data sources. In SQL Server, this is facilitated by the Linked Server feature. However, can MySQL offer a similar functionality?

MySQL's Response: The FEDERATED Engine

For MySQL users, the FEDERATED engine provides a solution similar to Linked Server. It allows you to create a virtual table that references data from another MySQL server. This enables you to query and manipulate data from the linked server as if it were a local table in your current database.

How to Configure MySQL for FEDERATED Engine

To configure MySQL for the FEDERATED engine, follow these steps:

1. Ensure that the MySQL FEDERATED engine is enabled. You can check this by running the following query:

SHOW ENGINES;

If FEDERATED is not listed, you may need to install or enable it.

2. Establish a user on the remote MySQL server with privileges to access the desired database.
3. On your local MySQL instance, create a replica of the remote database table using the following syntax:

CREATE TABLE table_name (
    ...Column definitions...
) ENGINE=FEDERATED
CONNECTION='mysql://username:password@remote_host:remote_port/remote_database';

Limitations of FEDERATED Engine

It is important to note that the MySQL FEDERATED engine has limitations. It only supports MySQL as a foreign data source, unlike Linked Server in SQL Server which can connect to various vendors.

Alternative Solution: MySQL Proxy

If you require interoperability with non-MySQL data sources, consider using MySQL Proxy. It provides a different approach, allowing you to route requests from your application to multiple MySQL instances and even non-MySQL data sources. However, it does not match the exact architecture of Linked Servers/dblink.

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