MySql Data directory

SlacUser · 06-18-2007, 09:28 AM

Hi everyone!
Because my hard disk is out of space, I added a new hard disk, and what I want to do is to link the MySql data directory to the new device.

I tried to execute the following command as root:

Code:

ln /var/lib/mysql /mnt/dbescolar/mysql
ln '/var/lib/mysql': hard link not allowed for directory

I have read that I could change the data directory in the my.cnf file, but I can't find it, it is not in the default directory /etc/my.cnf, and I search for it in the entire pc and but nothing.

Any clue how could I do this??

buggabill · 06-18-2007, 09:54 AM

If the /var/lib/mysql directory exists already, It will have to be renamed so that the new symlink can be created. Do that as root with this

Code:

# mv /var/lib/mysql /var/lib/mysql.old

You need to create a symbolic link - like this (as root):

Code:

# ln -s /var/lib/mysql /mnt/dbescolar/mysql

As for the my.cnf file, depending on the distro you are using, they will sometimes put it in different locations like /etc/mysql/. Check there.

You could also do a find to find it:

Code:

# find / -name my.cnf

Good luck!

buggabill · 06-18-2007, 09:57 AM

One more thing...

MAKE SURE YOU COPY THE MYSQL DATA FILES TO THE NEW DIRECTORY!

SlacUser · 06-18-2007, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buggabill

If the /var/lib/mysql directory exists already, It will have to be renamed so that the new symlink can be created. Do that as root with this

Code:

# mv /var/lib/mysql /var/lib/mysql.old

You need to create a symbolic link - like this (as root):

Code:

# ln -s /var/lib/mysql /mnt/dbescolar/mysql

As for the my.cnf file, depending on the distro you are using, they will sometimes put it in different locations like /etc/mysql/. Check there.

You could also do a find to find it:

Code:

# find / -name my.cnf

But I have databases on the directory /var/lib/mysql, I need them to run some web pages. I reason to make the link is to pass the information to the other disk in order to have more space.

About the find / -name my.cnf, I already did that, but without any result. I only found examples of the configuration file, named as my-small.cnf, my-huge.cnf, my-large.cnf.

buggabill · 06-18-2007, 12:24 PM

If you copy the database files to the new directory, you should be all set. Someone PLEASE correct me if I am wrong. I do not know of a way to split the data amongst more than one directory.

My suggestion would be to copy the contents of the /var/lib/mysql to the new directory on the new hard drive, and then make the move.

Maybe there is another way. That is how I did it. I had more space in a home directory on my machine, so I made a directory called mysql under /home. I then copied all of the data files over insuring the permissions were correct. Then I renamed the /var/lib/mysql directory and created the symlink to the new location. I tested out the configuration, and all seemed to work well for me.

Here is a link that shows the installation of MySQL on Slackware http://www.generetic.org/information...slackware.html. They show copying one of the templates over to get a copy of my.cnf in /etc.

SlacUser · 06-19-2007, 10:48 AM

I did it already!

I don't know why the my.cnf file did not exist in my system.
What I did was to modify the file /etc/rc.d/rc.mysqld, the part that defines the --datadir. I changed to /mnt/database, and then copy all the databases to the new path.

Then I give all the permissions to the user mysql in the new directory, restart the daemon, and job done! =)

Thanks all!!