Enhancing System Stability and Performance for We Teach You
We Teach You (UK) Ltd is an established e-learning provider based in Northamptonshire, UK. Founded in 1997, the company offers a wide range of online courses across various subjects, including IT, food safety, health and safety, and professional certifications. They are renowned for their innovative e-learning solutions and collaborate with colleges and institutions to deliver vocational and regulatory training.
Customer Challenges
In May 2023, We Teach You reached out to Bobcares for urgent support after encountering critical database errors that impacted their Totara system (built on Moodle). They faced repeated error messages such as “Error reading database” and “Database connection failed.” Despite migrating the system to a new, higher-capacity server, the issues persisted. Additionally, previous errors related to JSON processing had compounded their technical challenges. The client was seeking immediate support to resolve these errors, which were potentially linked to database or server misconfigurations.
Bobcares Solution
Upon being referred by a client, Bobcares responded swiftly to the urgent request from We Teach You. Our team investigated the system’s error logs and identified memory allocation issues in MySQL, specifically signal 6 and 11 errors.
We increased the innodb_buffer_pool_size from 128MB to 15GB, which addressed the memory-related errors. After implementing the change, we conducted thorough testing and confirmed that the previously failing reports were now functioning correctly without any errors.
Key Aspects of the Solution
- Investigation & Diagnosis: Analyzing error logs to pinpoint memory allocation issues within MySQL.
- Memory Allocation Fix: Increased the innodb_buffer_pool_size to resolve database connection issues.
- Testing & Validation: Comprehensive testing to ensure the system was stable and reports were running without errors.
- MySQL Optimization: Recommendations for optimizing queries to prevent future performance spikes.
Types of Tickets Handled
- Database connection failures
- MySQL memory allocation issues
- JSON-related errors
- System performance issues
Key Metrics Improved
99% Uptime
Proactive monitoring and rapid issue resolution ensured nearly perfect server availability.
Faster Response Times
Optimized resource usage resulted in quicker server response, improving overall user experience.
Zero Security Breaches
No major security incidents occurred after Bobcares took over the server management.
Business Impact
- Significant Downtime Reduction: By resolving the database and memory issues, We Teach You saw a significant reduction in downtime, leading to fewer service disruptions and client complaints.
- Improved Server Performance: The server’s optimized performance resulted in faster load times, even during high-traffic periods, which enhanced the user experience for We Teach You’s clients.
- Increased System Stability: With Bobcares support, We Teach You achieved a more stable infrastructure, enabling them to focus on growing their business without technical distractions.
Implementation Timeline
- Initial Support: Within hours of reaching out, Bobcares initiated the investigation.
- Solution Implementation: The fix for memory-related errors was deployed within the first 24 hours.
- Testing and Validation: The system was tested thoroughly, and the client confirmed error-free reports within 48 hours of the initial request.
Products & Scalability
Testimonial
“You have no idea how impressed and relieved we all are here. We continue to run tests, but it does seem like you have managed to fix the issue. Bobcares, and you and your team, are simply the best. We will continue to run some tests and report back if we have any further issues, but for now, can we all here simply say a massive ‘Thank You.'”
Conclusion
Bobcares successfully resolved the critical database errors for We Teach You, providing immediate relief and long-term stability. Through our expertise in server management and database optimization, we helped We Teach You reduce downtime, improve server performance, and ensure system stability. For businesses facing similar technical challenges, Bobcares offers reliable solutions to manage complex server environments, optimize performance, and support growth. Let Bobcares handle the technical details while you focus on expanding your business.