Change Data Capture (CDC) enables real-time data streaming. The MySQL Debezium Connector captures database changes and streams them to Apache Kafka. This guide covers connector setup, configuration, and replication user requirements.
Benefits of the MySQL Debezium Connector
The Debezium Connector reads the MySQL binary log (binlog) to capture row-level changes. It supports event-driven architectures and data replication in distributed systems.
Prerequisites for MySQL Debezium Connector Configuration
Verify the following conditions before configuration:
- MySQL database access with required privileges.
- Apache Kafka environment for streaming change events.
- Binary logging enabled on the MySQL server.
Implementation Guide
Configure the MySQL Database
Enable Binary Logging
Binary logging records database changes to a log file. Debezium captures these changes. The MySQL server must log changes to the binary log to support Debezium tracking.
Update the MySQL configuration to enable binary logging:
SET GLOBAL binlog_format = 'ROW';
SET GLOBAL binlog_row_image = 'FULL';
SET GLOBAL gtid_mode = 'ON';
SET GLOBAL enforce_gtid_consistency = 'ON';
2. Configure Replication User
Configure a MySQL user with replication privileges to enable Debezium to read binary logs. This user captures database changes.
Create the replication user using the following commands:
CREATE USER 'debezium'@'%' IDENTIFIED BY 'password';
GRANT REPLICATION SLAVE, REPLICATION CLIENT ON . TO 'debezium'@'%';
This user enables the connector to read binary logs and capture changes.
3. Configure the Debezium Connector
Configure the Debezium connector to connect to the MySQL database and define capture parameters.
Key configuration properties:
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| database.hostname | Hostname of the MySQL server. |
| database.port | MySQL server port (default is 3306 ). |
| database.user | Username with replication privileges (e.g., debezium ). |
| database.password | Password for the above user. |
| database.server.id | Unique identifier for the MySQL server. |
| database.server.name | Logical name for the database server in Kafka topics. |
| database.include.list | Comma-separated list of databases to monitor. |
| table.include.lis | Comma-separated list of tables to monitor. |
| include.schema.changes | Whether to include schema changes ( true or false ). |
| snapshot.mode | Defines the behavior for the initial snapshot. |
Connector Connection
- Create the Configuration File
Create a JSON or properties file. Include the configuration parameters above.
- Deploy the connector. Place the configuration file in the Kafka Connect worker directory. Start the connector using the Kafka Connect REST API.
- Verify the connection. Check the Kafka Connect logs. Confirm that the connector is active. Confirm that the connector reads the binary logs.
4. Deploy the Connector
- Start the Kafka Connect worker. Deploy the connector configuration.
- Check connector logs to confirm binlog reading and change streaming.
CDC Reliability Practices
- Monitor binlog size and retention. Set binlog_expire_logs_seconds to control binary log retention duration.
- Assign unique server IDs. Each MySQL server in a distributed setup requires a unique server-id to prevent conflicts.
Summary
Configure the MySQL Debezium Connector to achieve real-time data synchronization. Complete the steps above to establish reliable Change Data Capture (CDC). This setup allows applications to process database changes instantly.
For help building CDC pipelines, see our data engineering services.
Related reading: setting up CDC for Snowflake, PostgreSQL, MySQL and MongoDB and advanced CDC techniques with Snowflake.