How to Optimize MySQL Database Performance on Linux VPS

By Loibv January 16, 2025

Why Optimize MySQL?

MySQL is one of the most widely used database management systems, commonly used in web applications like WordPress, Laravel, and Magento. Without optimization, MySQL can become a “bottleneck,” causing significant performance degradation across your system. Optimization helps:

  • Speed up query processing.
  • Reduce CPU and RAM load.
  • Improve the scalability of websites or applications.

Setting Up an Optimized MySQL on Linux VPS

1. VPS Sample Configuration

  • CPU: 2 cores.
  • RAM: 4GB.
  • Storage: SSD NVMe.
  • Database: MariaDB or MySQL (you can apply similar steps for either).

2. Sample MySQL Configuration

First, to identify which file is configuring MySQL, run the following command:

mysqld --help --verbose | head -n13
Check MySQL Config
Identify MySQL Configuration

From the output, you can see the configuration files in the order /etc/my.cnf /etc/mysql/my.cnf ~/.my.cnf. You can make adjustments in any of these files.

For this example, I’ve copied the entire sample MySQL configuration into /etc/mysql/conf.d/mysql.cnf.

Restart MySQL to Apply Changes:

sudo service mysql restart

Explanation of Configurations:

  • innodb_buffer_pool_size: RAM dedicated to InnoDB database, around 50-70% of physical RAM.
  • tmp_table_size & max_heap_table_size: Limits on temporary table size, reducing disk writes.
  • query_cache_size & query_cache_type: Disable query cache to avoid locking issues on modern systems.

Install and Use MySQLTuner

MySQLTuner is a tool that analyzes MySQL configuration and provides specific recommendations based on the current database state, helping you fine-tune for optimal performance.

Source: https://github.com/major/MySQLTuner-perl

1. Install MySQLTuner

Download and install MySQLTuner using the following commands:

wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/major/MySQLTuner-perl/master/mysqltuner.pl
chmod +x mysqltuner.pl

2. Run MySQLTuner:

Once installed, execute MySQLTuner:

./mysqltuner.pl

Example output screenshot:

MySQLTuner test result

Applying MySQLTuner Recommendations

1. Analyze and Apply Recommendations:

Based on the report from MySQLTuner, I made the following adjustments:

  • Increase InnoDB log buffer:
innodb_log_buffer_size = 32M
  • Increase temporary table size:
tmp_table_size = 128M
max_heap_table_size = 128M

Note: Refer to the MySQLTuner suggestions displayed in your terminal to make the necessary configuration adjustments.

2. Restart MySQL

After making changes, restart MySQL:

sudo service mysql restart

Check Effectiveness After Optimization

Re-run MySQLTuner to test applied changes:

./mysqltuner.pl

Look for Improvements:

  • Reduced Temporary tables on disk.
  • Improved InnoDB Read/Write performance.

Tips:

  • Run MySQLTuner regularly (every 24-48 hours, depending on traffic).
  • Pay attention to MySQLTuner’s analysis results during each test to assess real-world performance.
  • Don’t blindly apply all recommendations—understand the meaning behind each setting before changing it.
  • Monitor logs to detect issues early and address them promptly.

Optimizing MySQL isn’t just about changing configurations—it’s a continuous process of testing and adjustment. Use MySQLTuner as a powerful tool to analyze and implement appropriate improvements. You can refer to the official MySQL/MariaDB documentation for a deeper understanding of configuration options. If you have any questions or want to share your experiences, feel free to leave a comment below!

References: #innodb_log_buffer_size

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