+The C<mysql plugin> requires B<mysqlclient> to be installed. It connects to the
+database when started and keeps the connection up as long as possible. When the
+connection is interrupted for whatever reason it will try to re-connect. The
+plugin logs loud complaints in case anything goes wrong.
+
+This plugin issues C<SHOW STATUS> and evaluates C<Bytes_{received,sent}>,
+C<Com_*> and C<Handler_*> which correspond to F<mysql_octets.rrd>,
+F<mysql_commands-*.rrd> and F<mysql_handler-*.rrd>. Also, the values of
+C<Qcache_*> are put in F<mysql_qcache.rrd> and values of C<Threads_*> are put
+in F<mysql_threads.rrd>. Please refer to the B<MySQL reference manual>,
+I<5.2.4. Server Status Variables> for an explanation of these values.
+
+Use the following options to configure the plugin:
+