MySQL - Master/Slave Replication with different server specs

I have a Master/Slave replication (using MySql 5.1 / InnoDB).

Currently both my master & slave are running on the same type of server (32 GB RAM, 2 x Intel Xeon 5520 Quad Core 2.26 GHz (8 cores)) and have the same type of configuration (in terms of innodb_pool_size etc.)

I am considering upgrading my master to a stronger machine (48GB RAM, 2 x Intel Xeon 5640 Six Core 2.26 GHz (12 cores)).

My question is: Is it possible to upgrade just the master (increase his buffer_bool_size etc.) and leave the slave at his current setup?

Yes you can upgrade the Master's my.cnf file to handle the new environment.

I have an additional suggestion.

InnoDB prior to MySQL 5.1.38 cannot use multiple CPUs.

You can do one of two things that will not affect the Slave

• Upgrade to Percona Server 5.1

• MySQL 5.1.38 has InnoDB Plugin (dsiabled by default) which acceses mulitple CPUs

• If you have MySQL 5.1.37 or prior, upgrade to the latest MySQL 5.1 and install InnoDB Plugin

• If you have MySQL 5.1.38+, install InnoDB Plugin

Once you do, one of the above, you can configure the necessary options for accessing multiple CPUs

• About single threaded versus multithreaded databases performance

• Possible to make MySQL use more than one core?

StackExchange Database Administrators Q#18111, answer score: 3