Google Introduces Managed Connection Pooling for AlloyDB

"Google Cloud has made managed connection pooling generally available for AlloyDB for PostgreSQL, bringing PgBouncer-like functionality directly into the database service. The feature delivers what Google claims is 3x more client connections and up to 5x higher transactional throughput than direct connections - addressing a scaling challenge that hits developers running high-concurrency workloads. Connection pooling isn't new. Developers have deployed PgBouncer or pgpool as a separate infrastructure for years to reuse database connections instead of creating fresh ones for each request."

"The managed pooler keeps pre-established connections cached, assigns them to incoming requests, and returns them to the pool when finished rather than closing them. Google pitches this as eliminating "operational burden" - the pooler gets patched and scaled automatically as part of a developers' AlloyDB instance. Communication between pooler and database runs within Google Cloud's network, potentially cutting latency versus external pooling setups."

Google Cloud's managed connection pooling for AlloyDB for PostgreSQL provides built-in PgBouncer-like pooling that increases scalability and throughput. The feature claims 3x more client connections and up to 5x higher transactional throughput versus direct connections. Developers can enable pooling via console or API, with pooled traffic on port 6432 alongside regular port 5432. The pooler maintains cached pre-established connections, assigns them to requests, and returns them to the pool instead of closing them, reducing connection churn. Automatic patching and scaling remove operational overhead. Serverless platforms like Cloud Run benefit especially, as the pooler prevents connection storms during instance spikes.

Read at InfoQ