Database Table: cache_config in Magento 2.4.6 for Cron-Driven Caching

Introduction

Caching is a cornerstone of Magento 2.4.6 performance, and Magento 2.4.6 Cron-Driven Caching plays a crucial role in keeping cache data fresh and accurate. Cron jobs are responsible for cleaning and refreshing cache entries to ensure fast page loads and consistent storefront behavior.

The Magento 2.4.6 cache config table, also known as the Magento cache config table, stores configuration metadata for different cache types. This database cache configuration is frequently read by cron processes such as cache cleaning cron jobs (cache_clean, cache_flush).

In this eighteenth post of our Magento 2.4.6 Cron blog series, we explore the structure, purpose, and cron integration of the cache_config table. Building on Part 17: Analyzing the cron schedule table: Logging and Error Tracking, this article connects cache operations with cron workflows under Magento 2.4.6 Cron-Driven Caching.

Overview of the cache_config Table

The Magento 2.4.6 cache config table (cache_config) stores serialized configuration data for each cache type, such as:

• config
• layout
• block_html
• full_page

This Magento cache config table works alongside the cache table, which stores actual cache data, while cron jobs rely on this database cache configuration to decide which cache types should be cleaned or skipped. These cron definitions are configured via crontab.xml and executed through the cron schedule table.

Role in Cron-Driven Caching

The cache_config table is a foundational component of Magento 2.4.6 Cron-Driven Caching.

• Cache Settings Storage
  Defines whether specific cache types are enabled or disabled.
• Cron Integration
  The cache cleaning cron jobs (cache_clean, cache_flush) consult this table to determine which caches should be cleared.
• Performance Impact
  Ensures fresh cache data and prevents stale storefront content, especially when patches like ACSD-52613 are applied.
• Monitoring & Debugging
  SQL queries on this Magento 2.4.6 cache config table help correlate cache behavior with entries in the cron schedule table.

Maintaining this balance between performance and data accuracy is essential for scalable Magento stores.

Detailed Breakdown of Table Structure

Although minimal in design, the Magento cache config table has a significant impact on Magento 2.4.6 Cron-Driven Caching.

Table Fields and Types

Constraints and Indexes

• Primary Key: id – Ensures unique cache configuration entries
• Index: CACHE_CONFIG_CACHE_ID on cache_id – Improves lookup speed for cron operations
• Engine: InnoDB – Ensures transactional safety during cron execution
• Character Set: utf8mb4_general_ci – Safely stores serialized PHP data

The data column contains serialized PHP arrays defining cache scope and enabled status, forming the core database cache configuration used by cron.

Sample Data Entries and Their Significance

Below are example records from the Magento 2.4.6 cache config table, demonstrating how Magento 2.4.6 Cron-Driven Caching operates.

Sample Data

Significance of Entries

• Row 1 – config
  Indicates the configuration cache is enabled. The cache cleaning cron refreshes this cache to ensure updated system settings.
• Row 2 – block_html
  Enabled block HTML cache, cleaned regularly by cron to avoid stale UI components.
• Row 3 – full_page
  Disabled full-page cache. Cron skips this cache type, reducing overhead but potentially impacting load times.

These values directly influence cron execution recorded in the cron schedule table.

Querying the cache_config Table

SQL queries are essential for monitoring Magento 2.4.6 Cron-Driven Caching behavior and validating database cache configuration.

Sample Query: List Enabled Caches

SELECT 
    cache_id, 
    data
FROM 
    cache_config
WHERE 
    data LIKE '%"enabled";i:1%';

Interpretation: Identifies cache types managed by the cache cleaning cron, useful for performance tuning.

Sample Query: Cache Status with cron_schedule

SELECT 
    cc.cache_id, 
    cs.job_code, 
    cs.status
FROM 
    cache_config cc
JOIN 
    cron_schedule cs
ON 
    cs.job_code IN ('cache_clean', 'cache_flush')
WHERE 
    cs.created_at >= '2025-09-01 00:00:00'
ORDER BY 
    cs.created_at DESC
LIMIT 
    5;

This query links the Magento cache config table with the cron schedule table, helping detect cache refresh failures.

Sample Code: Cron-Driven Cache Cleaning

Below is a simplified example illustrating how a cache cleaning cron uses the Magento 2.4.6 cache config table.

< ?php

namespace Magento\Framework\App\Cache;
use Magento\Framework\App\ResourceConnection;

class Cleaner
{
    protected $resourceConnection;

    public function __construct(ResourceConnection $resourceConnection)
    {
        $this->resourceConnection = $resourceConnection;
    }

    public function execute()
    {
        $connection = $this->resourceConnection->getConnection();
        $table = $connection->getTableName('cache_config');

        // Fetch enabled caches
        $enabledCaches = $connection->fetchAll(
            "SELECT cache_id FROM $table WHERE data LIKE '%\"enabled\";i:1%'"
        );

        foreach ($enabledCaches as $cache) {
            // Clean cache entries for each enabled cache type
        }
    }
}

This logic underpins Magento 2.4.6 Cron-Driven Caching and logs execution results in the cron schedule table.

Flowchart: cache_config and Cron Interaction

Best Practices for cache_config and Cron

• Enable Critical Caches
  Keep config and block_html enabled for optimal Magento 2.4.6 Cron-Driven Caching.
• Monitor via Queries
  Regularly audit the Magento 2.4.6 cache config table and cron schedule table.
• Apply Recommended Patches
  Use ACSD-52613 to ensure consistent cache flushing.
• Optimize Cron Frequency
  Tune cache cleaning cron intervals for high-traffic stores.
• Use Monitoring Tools
  Extensions and logs help visualize database cache configuration health.

Engagement Tip: Check Your Cache Config

Run queries on your Magento cache config table to identify enabled cache types and correlate them with cron results. Share your findings and how Magento 2.4.6 Cron-Driven Caching impacts your store performance.

What’s Next?

This post explained how the cache_config table supports Magento 2.4.6 Cron-Driven Caching. 

In Part 19: Database Table – queue_message and queue_message_status for Cron-Driven Queues ↗, we’ll explore message queue tables used for asynchronous processing. 

Stay tuned!