If you’re responsible for keeping MySQL running smoothly, this course an ideal choice. Over two immersive days, you’ll learn how to monitor, troubleshoot and optimise MySQL performance. The course explores important real-world techniques and supports the kind of knowledge needed for advanced MySQL roles.
MySQL Performance & Tuning
Enhance the performance of MySQL databases and gain sought-after technical skills
Over two interactive days, you’ll investigate how to get the best performance out of MySQL. From tuning queries to memory use and indexing, this proactive course gives you practical ways to speed up your databases and keep them running efficiently.
Learning objectives
- Set up a performance monitoring plan
- Tune hardware and OS for MySQL
- Use diagnostic tools and query logs
- Read and interpret EXPLAIN plans
- Make smarter use of indexes
- Optimise slow queries
- Adjust server configs and memory
- Tune the InnoDB storage engine
- Improve dump and load times
- Understand partitioning for performance
What you’ll learn
This proactive course gives you the knowledge and confidence to efficiently manage MySQL performance. Across two focused days, you’ll work through real-world performance challenges, including learning how to monitor systems, identify bottlenecks, and apply proven tuning techniques to achieve faster, more reliable databases.
Performance tuning foundations
Build a clear, methodical approach to improving MySQL performance. You’ll learn how to analyse your current setup, define realistic performance goals, and develop a structured monitoring and tuning plan. This includes evaluating database design choices, assessing hardware and operating system factors, and deciding when to adjust settings or reconfigure components. You’ll explore the differences between optimising a new database from the beginning versus tuning an existing one, so you can apply the right strategies in any environment.
Using tools and diagnostics
Gain in-depth experience with the tools and metrics that underpin successful MySQL tuning. You’ll use the Information Schema and SHOW commands to gather performance data, work with server status variables to monitor activity, and apply benchmarking and stress-testing tools to simulate workloads. By learning how to interpret logs, execution statistics, and performance reports, you’ll be able to identify bottlenecks and measure the effectiveness of your tuning changes.
Query tuning and indexes
Learn how to identify problematic queries using the EXPLAIN command and the Information Schema Processlist. You’ll investigate optimisation strategies such as limiting rows examined, avoiding unnecessary table access, and using query timeouts. You’ll also master index optimisation, including choosing the right type of index, using index hints, monitoring index size, and understanding how indexes influence joins and overall query efficiency. This course shows you how to get the most out of MySQL’s optimiser while maintaining flexibility in query design.
Server and InnoDB tuning
Discover how MySQL’s configuration settings can dramatically impact performance. You’ll learn how to set appropriate values for server variables, optimise table caching, and reclaim unused space with the OPTIMIZE TABLE command. You’ll also dive into InnoDB-specific tuning, configuring caches, buffers, data files, and log files for maximum throughput, monitoring InnoDB locks, and mitigating deadlock risks. This course equips you with the skills to balance performance gains with stability and reliability in production environments.
What’s included
- 2 days of hands-on training
- Live instructor-led sessions
- Real-world tuning scenarios
- Course materials and examples
- Certificate of attendance
- Delivered online or at a location of your choice
- Aligned with advanced MySQL certification preparation
Key facts
Ideal for
DBAs, developers and technical staff who need to improve MySQL performance.
Prerequisites
You should be comfortable with general MySQL administration and querying. The MySQL Database Administration course is ideal preparation for this course.
Learning experience
Our experienced trainers and interactive labs create a focused, practical environment – so you can put theory into practice from day one.
FAQs
This MySQL Performance Tuning Course gives you hands-on skills to monitor, troubleshoot and optimise databases. Over two engaging days, you’ll work through real-world scenarios to boost speed, scalability, and efficiency in your MySQL environment.
Who should take this MySQL performance tuning course?
This course is ideal for database administrators, developers, and technical staff who want to improve MySQL performance. If you work with production databases and need faster queries, efficient indexing, or better server configuration, this course is for you.
What MySQL versions are covered in the training?
The course supports MySQL 8, but the techniques you learn can also be applied to earlier versions with some adjustments. We focus on widely applicable performance tuning methods so you can work confidently in different environments.
Will I learn how to use EXPLAIN plans?
Yes. You’ll learn how to read and interpret EXPLAIN output, use it to find inefficient queries, and apply optimisation strategies such as limiting rows examined or adjusting indexes for faster execution.
Does the course cover both server and query tuning?
Absolutely. You’ll work on optimising both MySQL server configuration and individual queries. We cover everything from adjusting cache sizes and memory allocation to rewriting queries for maximum efficiency.
What our customers say
‘Very knowledgeable instructor, well paced, not rushed. Everything was explained clearly.’
Kimberley, Community Risk Reduction IT Systems – Fire
‘This is now my second course with John at StayAhead and once again the delivery was simply excellent. Best fun I've had at work for a while now and would very highly recommend the course to anyone who's taking on more PL/SQL work in their job. Hoping to come back for more in the future!’
Ashley, AppOps Engineer (Jr DBA) - Government
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