Mysql socket

Hi, I hope i'm writing in the good mailing list... Since one year, i'm working on loadbalancing solution for webservers (usually Apache 2). Behind a cluster of http servers, we can find a mysql cluster. Generally ppl are using the mysql_connect with the hostname = "localhost". When i suggest a loadbalancing solution, the mysql database is hosted on a different server. So webpages of all virtual hosts need to be updated to connect on the new hostname; which can be very annoying. I've patched PHP, and added 2 variables in PHP.ini which are : mysql.unix_socket = disabled mysql.force_hostname = The first one disabled the connection on mysql unix socket and transform "localhost" in "127.0.0.1". This allows to redirect mysql traffic with iptables. The second force mysql_connect to one database whatever the hostname specified in the mysql_connect function. I think it can be someting helpful for System Administrators. Tell me ur feeling about this. -- PAGES Vincent System Administrator France