UUID performance in MySQL?

Question

We\'re considering using UUID values as primary keys for our MySQL database. The data being inserted is generated from dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of remote computer

Answer 1

Since the primary key is generated decentralised, you don't have the option of using an auto_increment anyway.

If you don't have to hide the identity of the remote machines, use Type 1 UUIDs instead of UUIDs. They are easier to generate and can at least not hurt the performance of the database.

The same goes for varchar (char, really) vs. binary: it can only help matters. Is it really important, how much performance is improved?