# About MariaDB MaxScale **MariaDB MaxScale** is a database proxy that forwards database statements to\ one or more database servers. The forwarding is performed using rules based on the semantic understanding of\ the database statements and on the roles of the servers within the backend\ cluster of databases. MariaDB MaxScale is designed to provide, transparently to applications, load\ balancing and high availability functionality. MariaDB MaxScale has a scalable\ and flexible architecture, with plugin components to support different protocols\ and routing approaches. MariaDB MaxScale makes extensive use of the asynchronous I/O capabilities of the\ Linux operating system, combined with a fixed number of worker threads. *epoll*\ is used to provide the event driven framework for the input and output via\ sockets. Many of the services provided by MariaDB MaxScale are implemented as external\ shared object modules loaded at runtime. These modules support a fixed\ interface, communicating the entry points via a structure consisting of a set of\ function pointers. This structure is called the "module object". Additional\ modules can be created to work with MariaDB MaxScale. Commonly used module types are *protocol*, *router* and *filter*. Protocol\ modules implement the communication between clients and MariaDB MaxScale, and\ between MariaDB MaxScale and backend servers. Routers inspect the queries from\ clients and decide the target backend. The decisions are usually based on\ routing rules and backend server status. Filters work on data as it passes\ through MariaDB MaxScale. Filter are often used for logging queries or modifying\ server responses. A Google Group exists for MariaDB MaxScale. The Group is used to discuss ideas,\ issues and communicate with the MariaDB MaxScale community. Send email to or use the [forum](https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/maxscale) interface. Bugs can be reported in the MariaDB Jira [jira.mariadb.org](https://jira.mariadb.org) ### Installing MariaDB MaxScale Information about installing MariaDB MaxScale, either from a repository or by\ building from source code, is included in the [MariaDB MaxScale Installation\ Guide](/docs/maxscale/maxscale-archive/archive/mariadb-maxscale-21-06/mariadb-maxscale-21-06-getting-started/mariadb-maxscale-2106-maxscale-2106-mariadb-maxscale-installation-guide.md). The same guide also provides basic information on running MariaDB MaxScale. More\ detailed information about configuring MariaDB MaxScale can be found in the [Configuration Guide](/docs/maxscale/maxscale-archive/archive/mariadb-maxscale-21-06/mariadb-maxscale-21-06-getting-started/mariadb-maxscale-2106-maxscale-2106-mariadb-maxscale-configuration-guide.md). *This page is licensed: CC BY-SA / Gnu FDL* {% @marketo/form formId="4316" %} --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://mariadb.com/docs/maxscale/maxscale-archive/archive/mariadb-maxscale-21-06/mariadb-maxscale-21-06-about/mariadb-maxscale-2106-maxscale-2106-about-mariadb-maxscale.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.