Database Considerations

The database is one of the most important performance components in Moodle. Many Moodle pages require database queries.

Database factors include:

• Database server size and resource allocation.
• Query performance.
• Database indexes.
• Table size, especially logs and activity records.
• Backup and maintenance schedules.
• Network latency between Moodle and the database server.
• Database configuration parameters.

Beginner administrators do not need to tune every database parameter, but they should know when to involve database administrators.

Situations that may require DBA involvement:

• Slow reports across the whole site.
• Database server CPU or memory consistently high.
• Queries timing out.
• Large log tables affecting backup or reporting.
• Database disk space approaching full capacity.
• Need for replication, high availability, or advanced backup strategy.