Database Configuration
# Database Configuration
This article details the database configuration necessary for a robust and performant MediaWiki 1.40 installation. Proper database configuration is critical for handling the load of a busy wiki and ensuring data integrity. This guide assumes you have already installed a supported database system (MySQL/MariaDB, PostgreSQL, SQLite) and have basic familiarity with command-line administration.
Supported Databases
MediaWiki 1.40 officially supports the following database management systems:
- MySQL (5.7 or later) / MariaDB (10.2 or later) - The most commonly used database for MediaWiki.
- PostgreSQL (9.6 or later) - A powerful and standards-compliant database.
- SQLite - Suitable for small, single-user wikis or testing environments. Not recommended for production.
- Backups: Regularly back up your database to protect against data loss.
- Vacuuming: (PostgreSQL) Reclaim storage space occupied by deleted or updated rows.
- Optimizing Tables: (MySQL/MariaDB) Reorganize table data to improve query performance.
- Checking for Errors: Regularly check the database server logs for errors or warnings.
- Updating MediaWiki: Keep MediaWiki updated to the latest version to benefit from performance improvements and security fixes. Manual:Upgrading provides instructions.
- Manual:Configuration settings
- Manual:Database
- Manual:Installation guide
- Manual:Performance tuning
- Manual:Backups
- PostgreSQL documentation
- MySQL documentation
- MariaDB documentation
- Manual:Internationalization and localization
- Telegram: @powervps Servers at a discounted price
The choice of database depends on your wiki's size, expected traffic, and administrative expertise.
Configuration File: LocalSettings.php
All database configuration is done within the `LocalSettings.php` file. This file is located in the root directory of your MediaWiki installation. You'll need to edit this file to provide the necessary connection details.
Here's a breakdown of the key configuration variables:
| Variable Name | Description | Example (MySQL/MariaDB) |
|---|---|---|
| `$wgDBtype` | Specifies the database type. | `mysql` |
| `$wgDBserver` | The hostname or IP address of the database server. | `localhost` |
| `$wgDBname` | The name of the database created for MediaWiki. | `mediawiki_db` |
| `$wgDBuser` | The database username. | `mediawiki_user` |
| `$wgDBpassword` | The database password. | `your_secret_password` |
| `$wgDBport` | The port number the database server listens on. | `3306` |
| `$wgDBSSL` | Enable SSL connection to the database server. | `false` |
Important Note: Never hardcode sensitive information like database passwords directly into `LocalSettings.php` if it's publicly accessible. Consider using environment variables or other secure methods for storing credentials. See Manual:Configuration settings for more advanced options.
Database Character Set and Collation
Correct character set and collation settings are crucial for handling multilingual content correctly. UTF-8 is the recommended character set for MediaWiki.
| Database | Character Set | Collation |
|---|---|---|
| MySQL/MariaDB | `utf8mb4` | `utf8mb4_unicode_ci` |
| PostgreSQL | `UTF8` | `en_US.UTF-8` or `und.UTF-8` (locale-specific) |
| SQLite | UTF-8 (handled internally) | N/A |
Ensure the database, tables, and connection settings all use the same character set (UTF-8) and collation. Incorrect settings can lead to data corruption or display issues with non-ASCII characters. You can set character set and collation during database creation or alter existing databases using SQL commands. Refer to your database's documentation for specific instructions. See Manual:Internationalization and localization for further details on internationalization.
Database Server Tuning
For production environments, tuning the database server is essential. Here are some recommended settings for MySQL/MariaDB. PostgreSQL optimization is more complex and requires understanding of its configuration parameters. Consult the PostgreSQL documentation for detailed guidance.
| Parameter | Description | Recommended Value |
|---|---|---|
| `innodb_buffer_pool_size` | The size of the buffer pool used by the InnoDB storage engine. | 50-80% of available RAM |
| `innodb_log_file_size` | The size of each InnoDB log file. | 256M - 1G (depending on write load) |
| `max_connections` | The maximum number of concurrent connections to the database. | 150-500 (depending on traffic) |
| `query_cache_size` | The size of the query cache. (Deprecated in MySQL 8.0) | 0 (Generally disabled in modern versions) |
Caution: Incorrectly configured database parameters can negatively impact performance. Always test changes thoroughly in a staging environment before applying them to production. Monitoring database performance using tools like `mysqltuner.pl` or PostgreSQL's built-in monitoring features is highly recommended. See Manual:Performance tuning for more information.
Database Maintenance
Regular database maintenance is vital for long-term performance and stability. This includes:
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⚠️ *Note: All benchmark scores are approximate and may vary based on configuration. Server availability subject to stock.* ⚠️