Why should we store log files and bin-log files on different path or disks in mysql

Question

I have replication setup mysql databases....the log file location the bin-log file all are at one path that is default my data directory of mysql.

I have read that for better performance one should store them separately.

Can anyone provide me how this improves the performance. Is there is documentation available for the same. The reason why one should do so?

Answer 1

Mainly because then, reads and writes can be made almost in parallel. Stored separately meaning on different disks.

Linux and H/W optimizations for MySQL is a nice presentation of ways to improve MySQL performance - it presents benchmarks and conclusions of when to use SSD disks and when to use SCSI disks, what kind of processors are better for what tasks.

Very good presentation, a must read for any DBA!!