How to Enable TCMalloc in MariaDB on Ubuntu

Sysadmin.IDJun 17, 2024

MariaDB TCMalloc Ubuntu Performance Optimization

MariaDB, a popular open-source database, can achieve significant performance improvements by utilizing TCMalloc, a memory allocator optimized for multi-threading. Enabling TCMalloc in Ubuntu is straightforward and can result in faster query execution and reduced latency. Here’s how you can set it up.

Check the current malloc in MariaDB

MariaDB [(none)]> SHOW GLOBAL VARIABLES LIKE 'version_malloc_library';
+------------------------+--------+
| Variable_name          | Value  |
+------------------------+--------+
| version_malloc_library | system |
+------------------------+--------+
1 row in set (0.001 sec)

A value of “system” indicates the system default, which is normally malloc. If another library is used, this query will return the name and version of the library.

Install TCMalloc

apt update && apt install libgoogle-perftools-dev

Configure MariaDB to Use TCMalloc

# find the tcmalloc path
find /usr/lib -name "libtcmalloc.*"
/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/pkgconfig/libtcmalloc.pc
/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libtcmalloc.a
/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libtcmalloc.so.4.5.9
/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libtcmalloc.so.4
/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libtcmalloc.so

# load the tcmalloc in SystemD MariaDB service
systemctl edit mariadb

# append this config
[Service]
Environment=LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libtcmalloc.so

Restart MariaDB Service

systemctl daemon-reload
systemctl restart mariadb

Verify TCMalloc is Enabled

MariaDB [(none)]> SHOW GLOBAL VARIABLES LIKE 'version_malloc_library';
+------------------------+---------------------------+
| Variable_name          | Value                     |
+------------------------+---------------------------+
| version_malloc_library | tcmalloc gperftools 2.9.1 |
+------------------------+---------------------------+
1 row in set (0.001 sec)

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can enable TCMalloc in MariaDB on Ubuntu, thus enhancing the database’s performance and speed. This optimization can lead to a smoother and more responsive application, making it a worthwhile tweak for high-demand environments.

Ensure to monitor your database performance and make further adjustments as needed. Happy optimizing!