HOW TO MOODLE
Moodle Quick Guides
HOW TO MOODLE
Moodle Quick Guides
HOW TO MOODLE
Moodle Quick Guides
How to budget for Moodle hosting
Given the vast number of hosting providers out there, and the often confusing service levels on offer, it can be hard to know exactly what you’re looking at. And because of that, hard to compare how the prices stack up. Obviously, the more complex your needs, the more complicated the answer, but we’ll try to keep things as simple as possible…
How ELD pricing works
We use a resource-based cost model (pay for what you use, rather than how many people are using it), so everything is priced by the resource required (either GB or time). As Moodle has no in-built scalability restrictions on user numbers and user numbers have a negligible impact on gigabyte/GB usage, user numbers are unrestricted in all ELD hosting spaces.
Which means hosting levels are based on the volume (in GB) of course files you need to store (i.e. the training materials, PDFS, images, saved student/learner submissions etc.), while time-based services (i.e. support, consultancy, development, etc.) are all are all calculated by the number of hours you need, categorised by what you want to do with them, and when.
For an idea of hosting scales based on user numbers instead, it’s best to use concurrency (i.e., the number of active users logged into the site at the same time). Concurrency is usually estimated as 5% of total users, so the range would be as follows:
| Total Users | Concurrency | Hosting Type |
|---|---|---|
| 0-3000 | Up to 150 | Shared Server Hosting (3GB-35GB) |
| 3001-9000 | Up to 300 | Level 1 server (100GB; Memory 4; CPU 2) |
| 9001-15000 | Up to 600 | Level 2 server (100GB; Memory 8; CPU 4) |
| 15001-21000 | Up to 900 | Level 3 server (100GB; Memory 12; CPU 6) |
| 21001-30000 | Up to 1200 | Level 4 server (100GB; Memory 16; CPU 8) |
| 30001-39000 | Up to 1500 | Level 5 server (100GB; Memory 20; CPU 10) |
| 39000-48000 | Up to 1800 | Level 6 server (100GB; Memory 24; CPU 12) |
Totally new to Moodling
If you’re totally new to the world of e-learning, we can help you move your classroom online. The modular nature of Moodle is perfect for this – transfer your physical training environment to a virtual world, using dedicated ‘blocks’ to recreate the various activities and learning paths.
But if you’re at this stage, you won’t know what you need, so we recommend starting on the lowest shared hosting level that suits your Moodle flavour, then simply moving up (pro rata) as and when your usage dictates. To gauge your hosting startup budget, you need to:
1. Find your Moodle flavour.
If it’s Moodle for your workplace, you have a couple of options – standard Moodle or an IOMAD flavour. Read about how to make that choice here.
2. Find the lowest hosting level.
For standard Moodle, that’s Pearl Shared Hosting; for a workplace Moodle, it’s IOMAD Small. Find both services here.
3. Choose a support level.
Blend freely available Moodle materials with paid-for hours for budget-friendly startup support. This page shows you how.
4. Follow our signup process.
Every step is clearly laid out, including site setup and access timescales… Go here to start the process or just to see how it all works.
Migrating from MoodleCloud
If you’re already Moodling on MoodleCloud, you’ll know what disk space you’re using based on the plan you’re paying for.
Migrating because you want more customisation and plugin options, or the ability to use your own URL for free? We can offer you a minimum of 3GB. Moving because you’ve reached the user limit? We can match that from 5GB and up. To confirm your budget and start the migration process, you need to:
1. Find your Premium hosting level.
All MoodleCloud levels and corresponding Premium hosting levels are listed here, along with instructions on how to find your true GB usage.
2. Plan your plugin options.
Once the MoodleCloud plugin restrictions are removed, you’ll be free to optimise your user experience. This page covers what to consider.
3. Choose a support level.
Build on what you already know and kick-start getting to grips with your site’s new potential. This page helps you calculate a budget.
4. Schedule your migration as part of signup.
Go here to get signed up for our services, and here for the MoodleCloud to Moodle migration steps.
Migrating from another provider
If you’re migrating away from your current hosting provider or want to move from self-hosted to managed, view your usage by going to: Site administration > Reports > Course size report.
If you don’t have that report enabled, download it here.
Once you have your current GB storage level, you just need to:
1. Find your ELD hosting level.
If you’re migrating to standard Moodle, all hosting levels are here; if you’re migrating to a workplace or multi-tenancy Moodle, all hosting levels are here.
2. Identify your migration pathway.
Depending on your Moodle version, you may need to upgrade as part of the process. Go here to see the migration pathway options.
3. Choose a support level.
Want to use your migration to kickstart an overall improvement to your learning environment? This page covers initial support options.
4. Schedule your migration as part of signup.
Every step is clearly laid out, including setup and access timescales… Go here to start the process and coordinate a suitable migration time/day.
Migrating from another platform
If you’re moving to Moodle from a completely different e-learning system, then the hosting budget recommendation is the same as for all new Moodlers – start on the lowest level for your flavour, and we’ll move you up (pro rata) as you recreate your LMS in Moodle if (or when) your usage dictates. The steps are:
1. Find your Moodle flavour.
If it’s Moodle for your workplace, you have a couple of options – standard Moodle or an IOMAD flavour. Read about how to make that choice here.
2. Find the lowest hosting level.
For standard Moodle, that’s Pearl Shared Hosting; for a workplace or multi-tenancy Moodle, it’s IOMAD Small. Find both services here.
3. Choose a support level.
If you want some help with your learner journey replication (scaffolding, signposting, course repopulation, etc.), this page covers all the areas to consider.
4. Follow our signup process.
Every step is clearly laid out, including site setup and access timescales… Go here to start the process or just to see how it all works.
Bolt-on support services
Like Moodle, our approach is modular – pick only what you need, only when you need it, and build a unique agreement that fits both your budget and e-learning strategy. We have plenty of support options that offer peace of mind in both the long and short term, and you can add these to a hosting agreement whenever you want.
How to budget for Moodle hosting
Given the vast number of hosting providers out there, and the often confusing service levels on offer, it can be hard to know exactly what you’re looking at. And because of that, hard to compare how the prices stack up. Obviously, the more complex your needs, the more complicated the answer, but we’ll try to keep things as simple as possible…
How ELD pricing works
We use a resource-based cost model (pay for what you use, rather than how many people are using it), so everything is priced by the resource required (either GB or time). As Moodle has no in-built scalability restrictions on user numbers and user numbers have a negligible impact on gigabyte/GB usage, user numbers are unrestricted in all ELD hosting spaces.
Which means hosting levels are based on the volume (in GB) of course files you need to store (i.e. the training materials, PDFS, images, saved student/learner submissions etc.), while time-based services (i.e. support, consultancy, development, etc.) are all are all calculated by the number of hours you need, categorised by what you want to do with them, and when.
For an idea of hosting scales based on user numbers instead, it’s best to use concurrency (i.e., the number of active users logged into the site at the same time). Concurrency is usually estimated as 5% of total users, so the range would be as follows:
| Total Users | Concurrency | Hosting Type |
|---|---|---|
| 0-3000 | Up to 150 | Shared Server Hosting (3GB-35GB) |
| 3001-9000 | Up to 300 | Level 1 server (100GB; Memory 4; CPU 2) |
| 9001-15000 | Up to 600 | Level 2 server (100GB; Memory 8; CPU 4) |
| 15001-21000 | Up to 900 | Level 3 server (100GB; Memory 12; CPU 6) |
| 21001-30000 | Up to 1200 | Level 4 server (100GB; Memory 16; CPU 8) |
| 30001-39000 | Up to 1500 | Level 5 server (100GB; Memory 20; CPU 10) |
| 39000-48000 | Up to 1800 | Level 6 server (100GB; Memory 24; CPU 12) |
Totally new to Moodling
If you’re totally new to the world of e-learning, we can help you move your classroom online. The modular nature of Moodle is perfect for this – transfer your physical training environment to a virtual world, using dedicated ‘blocks’ to recreate the various activities and learning paths.
But if you’re at this stage, you won’t know what you need, so we recommend starting on the lowest shared hosting level that suits your Moodle flavour, then simply moving up (pro rata) as and when your usage dictates. To gauge your hosting startup budget, you need to:
1. Find your Moodle flavour.
If it’s Moodle for your workplace, you have a couple of options – standard Moodle or an IOMAD flavour. Read about how to make that choice here.
2. Find the lowest hosting level.
For standard Moodle, that’s Pearl Shared Hosting; for a workplace Moodle, it’s IOMAD Small. Find both services here.
3. Choose a support level.
Blend freely available Moodle materials with paid-for hours for budget-friendly startup support. This page shows you how.
4. Follow our signup process.
Every step is clearly laid out, including site setup and access timescales… Go here to start the process or just to see how it all works.
Migrating from MoodleCloud
If you’re already Moodling on MoodleCloud, you’ll know what disk space you’re using based on the plan you’re paying for.
Migrating because you want more customisation and plugin options, or the ability to use your own URL for free? We can offer you a minimum of 3GB. Moving because you’ve reached the user limit? We can match that from 5GB and up. To confirm your budget and start the migration process, you need to:
1. Find your Premium hosting level.
All MoodleCloud levels and corresponding Premium hosting levels are listed here, along with instructions on how to find your true GB usage.
2. Plan your plugin options.
Once the MoodleCloud plugin restrictions are removed, you’ll be free to optimise your user experience. This page covers what to consider.
3. Choose a support level.
Build on what you already know and kick-start getting to grips with your site’s new potential. This page helps you calculate a budget.
4. Schedule your migration as part of signup.
Go here to get signed up for our services, and here for the MoodleCloud to Moodle migration steps.
Migrating from another provider
If you’re migrating away from your current hosting provider or want to move from self-hosted to managed, view your usage by going to: Site administration > Reports > Course size report.
If you don’t have that report enabled, download it here.
Once you have your current GB storage level, you just need to:
1. Find your ELD hosting level.
If you’re migrating to standard Moodle, all hosting levels are here; if you’re migrating to a workplace or multi-tenancy Moodle, all hosting levels are here.
2. Identify your migration pathway.
Depending on your Moodle version, you may need to upgrade as part of the process. Go here to see the migration pathway options.
3. Choose a support level.
Want to use your migration to kickstart an overall improvement to your learning environment? This page covers initial support options.
4. Schedule your migration as part of signup.
Every step is clearly laid out, including setup and access timescales… Go here to start the process and coordinate a suitable migration time/day.
Migrating from another platform
If you’re moving to Moodle from a completely different e-learning system, then the hosting budget recommendation is the same as for all new Moodlers – start on the lowest level for your flavour, and we’ll move you up (pro rata) as you recreate your LMS in Moodle if (or when) your usage dictates. The steps are:
1. Find your Moodle flavour.
If it’s Moodle for your workplace, you have a couple of options – standard Moodle or an IOMAD flavour. Read about how to make that choice here.
2. Find the lowest hosting level.
For standard Moodle, that’s Pearl Shared Hosting; for a workplace or multi-tenancy Moodle, it’s IOMAD Small. Find both services here.
3. Choose a support level.
If you want some help with your learner journey replication (scaffolding, signposting, course repopulation, etc.), this page covers all the areas to consider.
4. Follow our signup process.
Every step is clearly laid out, including site setup and access timescales… Go here to start the process or just to see how it all works.
Bolt-on support services
Like Moodle, our approach is modular – pick only what you need, only when you need it, and build a unique agreement that fits both your budget and e-learning strategy. We have plenty of support options that offer peace of mind in both the long and short term, and you can add these to a hosting agreement whenever you want.
