Can anyone tell me the relative bandwidth requirements for connecting to a MySQL database vs. running a query on one when you're already connected? This assumes the db is on a separate server, of course. Is it a lot more bandwidth-intensive to connect than it is to stay connected and run queries?

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Fractured Atlas :: Liberate the Artist
Services: Healthcare, Fiscal Sponsorship, Marketing, Education, The Emerging Artists Fund

Bandwidth isn't really an issue. It's more connection speed. Connecting to a remote mysql server is slower than a local one. Creating a connection will be slower then running a query when you are already connected.

Thanks for the reply. Do you know if there's any rough way to quantify the difference in speed and/or server load, etc.? Maybe a benchmarking study somewhere? I've found a million-and-one studies that compare the speeds of different database platforms under high loads, but nothing that specifically addresses this issue. I guess it's tough since it's probably largely dependent on the specific hardware used.

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Fractured Atlas :: Liberate the Artist
Services: Healthcare, Fiscal Sponsorship, Marketing, Education, The Emerging Artists Fund

The connect/disconnect will have very little impact on bandwidth compared to transferring the actual data via insert/updates and the results of selects.

Performance will be better if you maintain persistent connections though, and you should aim for this if possible.

Cheers,

Alex
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