How scalable is mySQL server?

Question

I am debating on whether I should have three separate wordpress installs with three separate databases, or whether it would be okay to use multisite (which only uses one central db).

I am concerned that after having my site (blog, photo portfolio, development forum) up for a few years it will start to lag (since mySQL is supposedly not that scalable).

Is this a concern at all? Or should I just go to with multisite?

"mySQL is supposedly not that scalable" says who? – Javier Nov 18 '11 at 02:24 — Javier, Nov 18 '11 at 02:24
Your scalability problems are Wordpress - not mysql. – symcbean Nov 18 '11 at 10:44 — symcbean, Nov 18 '11 at 10:44

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Nov 17 '11 at 22:34

I am debating on whether I should have three separate wordpress installs with three separate databases, or whether it would be okay to use multisite

In the case of Wordpress I doubt you would see any serious difference in database performance between either setup. A wordpress multisite setup creates separate tables for each blog. There are only a few shared tables, and those mostly have to do with user accounts, and supporting the network. The difference between a separate table in the same database, and a separate table in a different database is almost certainly minuscule.

It should be easier to maintain a single instance of Wordpress, and easier to keep it updated. This should almost certainly be a bigger concern.

How scalable is mySQL server?

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