DBLE
opensource.actionsky.com
What it is
DBLE is free, open-source middleware for scaling MySQL through sharding. It uses the MySQL protocol and can replace MySQL in many cases without application code changes. Teams can configure hash, modulo, time-based, range-based, or custom sharding, along with global and ER tables. DBLE lists query routing, connection pooling, load balancing, automatic failover, read/write separation, master-slave expansion, and ZooKeeper cluster deployment. SQL support includes SQL 92 and MySQL dialect features such as joins, unions, grouping, ordering, and distinct queries; some features remain on its roadmap. Query optimization addresses global-table joins, sharded tables, ER relations, and subqueries. Distributed transactions use two-phase commit in normal or XA modes, with XA depending on MySQL 5.7 XA transactions, backend availability, and disk reliability. Security controls include password encryption, IP allowlists, and SQL denylists. Explain plans, MySQL-compatible slow logs, and slow-query reports support operations. DBLE is self-hosted on Linux and GPL-2.0 licensed. The open-source plan costs nothing.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- DBLE is high-scalability middleware for MySQL sharding.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Support
- The DBLE documentation lists community support resources and says commercial support is available by contacting the maker.Read 4 Oct 2026 · actiontech.github.io
- High availability
- The DBLE server can run as a cluster so business workloads do not suffer from a single-node failure.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- License and version
- The repository identifies DBLE as GPL-2.0 licensed and the documentation branch as applying to version 3.23.08.x.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- MySQL compatibility
- DBLE uses the MySQL protocol and can replace MySQL in many cases without application code changes.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Operational tools
- The official site lists slow logs compatible with MySQL slow-log analysis tools, an Explain execution plan, and slow-query performance analysis reports.Read 4 Oct 2026 · opensource.actionsky.com
- Query optimization
- It optimizes complex queries involving global-table joins, sharding tables, ER-relation tables, and subqueries.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Scaling and deployment
- The official site lists read/write separation, master-slave expansion, complete expansion plans, and ZooKeeper cluster deployment.Read 4 Oct 2026 · opensource.actionsky.com
- Security controls
- The official site lists password encryption, IP allowlists, and SQL denylists.Read 4 Oct 2026 · opensource.actionsky.com
- Sharding features
- The official site lists hash, modulo, time-based, and range-based sharding algorithms, plus global tables, ER tables, and custom sharding algorithms.Read 4 Oct 2026 · opensource.actionsky.com
- SQL support
- DBLE supports SQL 92 and MySQL dialect features, including group by, order by, distinct, joins, and unions; some features are listed on its roadmap.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Transactions
- DBLE supports distributed transactions with two-phase commit and offers normal and XA modes; XA depends on MySQL 5.7 XA transactions and backend availability and disk reliability.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Who it is for
- DBLE is intended for teams replacing or scaling a single MySQL instance as business needs grow.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
Plans and prices
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Multiple sharding algorithms
- MySQL protocol compatibility
- Cluster operation supports failover
- Query routing and load balancing
- Operational slow-query tools
Limits
- Some SQL features remain on roadmap
- XA depends on backend conditions
- Self-hosted Linux deployment required
- Commercial support is separate
Who it suits
DBLE is intended for teams replacing or scaling a single MySQL instance as workloads grow. It suits Linux deployments needing sharding, routing, clustering, and distributed transaction features.
Verdict
DBLE provides a broad MySQL sharding and scaling layer with clustering, routing, optimization, and transaction options. Teams should account for roadmap gaps and XA dependencies when planning deployments.
Where Specifiction places it
- Database Proxy Software#7 of 317.8