I setup Moodle 3.8 using a MySQL database. It is hosted on a leased Linux server. It passed all of the Server Environmental checks with flying colors. All green OK's without any warning, errors, etc. I have started to build a course and so far and everything seems to be working properly.
However, I recently decided to do an upgrade to the most current build of Moodle 3.8 before I completed the creation of my first course. I want to be absolutely certain that I understand, document, and am able to perform backups and upgrades BEFORE making courses available in a production enviroment.
I use cPanel on the server which let's me access phpMyAdmin for database creation, updates, etc. However, when I use phpMyAdmin to see what MySQL databases I have, there are only 2 listed. One is information_schema and the other is trilearn_whm, which appears to be empty. Neither db seems to contain Moodle data.
According to the config.php the db name should be Moodle, but when I do a file search I can't find the Moodle db anywhere? What am I doing wrong?
If the Moodle db is missing wouldn't Moodle fail to work? But Moodl is working? So am I looking for the wrong db file or perhaps the db file is hidden? Totally frustrating.
I am not an MySQL expert by any means. I took a SQL course years ago and have worked with various types of databases years ago, so I do know a few db basics.
The DB for moodle found in config.php file of your code drives your moodle. Without the DB shown in config.php of code, your Moodle wouldn't work at all. So it has to exist ... somewhere!!!
Interesting problem ... leased Linux servers come in many flavors ... and am wondering if your's on a shared service? or is it a dedicated server managed/unmanaged? And it wouldn't hurt to mention where hosted/with what provider. Providers usually have helpdesk as well as documentation/FAQ pages about their systems ... and that documentation/FAQ's ... maybe even a forum for customers ... might have info on phpmyadmin as well as any issues other customers have faced - hopefully with solutions.
One of the DB's you see in phpmyadmin ends with 'whm' ... which suggest Web Host Management ... a service typically offered customers on managed or unmanaged servers. Rare to see a DB for WHM in MySQL me thinks. Do you have more than one domain on your server?
If your DB server - also shown on a line in config.php file of code - is set to 'localhost' then the DB server should be on the same machine as the code. IF localhost, one might find the DB files in /var/lib/mysql. You should see a directory there by the same name as the DB name in config.php of code. But you cannot view them with any tool used to browse files ... just mentioned here so can verify DB are there.
Do you have more than one login to phpmyadmin?
in your cPanel, do you have a terminal icon?
'SoS', Ken
If you don't see this, I wonder if your server company is putting it elsewhere. Maybe they don't want you to be able to mess around with it? The example that I am giving to you is a pretty common config.php. Maybe you can share yours (making privacy changes, of course.)
Don't mean to burst bubble, but according to info below, there is no such thing as 'shared VPS on BlueHost'. It's either shared (cheapo) or a VPS.
https://www.bluehost.com/blog/webhosting/shared-vs-vps-hosting-which-option-is-best-for-you-9300/
While a cheapo shared slice of a server might do in the beginning, if your plans for Moodle grow, you might be looking at migrating site to a VPS.
Just out of curiosity, have you visited your Moodle's -> Admin menu -> Server -> environment check and set drop down menu for version of Moodle to anything above 3.8 to see what the check says?
'SoS', Ken
Sorry, my bad. I *was* on a shared server, but a few months ago migrated to VPS on Bluehost. The Server Environment check in Moodle shows Moodle Version 3.8+ (Build 20191129) with all Service Check Status icons showing OK.
Thanks for the correction.
Wasn't really trying to 'correct' ... more like warn! Good to know you are on a VPS vs shared. It would also make a diff in answering questions knowing that you are on a VPS and can 'control' a lot more things on the backend than you could on shared.
Command line extremely handy in many cases!
'SoS', Ken
You might need to be more active than just keeping your fingers crossed.
I am puzzled why you cannot use phpMyAdmin to see your Moodle database on your Bluehost VPS. But maybe I didn't understand your reply.
You are right, having VPS, I was able to do the original install of Moodle. I had to learn how to set the MySQL and PHP to the correct versions, how to write the correct CRON statement. But after that everything seemed to work perfectly. : )
I recommend that you try to do a new install of a second moodle using your backup files. Seems like you know what you are doing.