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P4 Server Administration Documentation | 2025.2

# Checkpoints for database tree rebalancing

The internal database stores its data in B-trees. B-trees are a common way to structure data for rapid access. However, over time, a B-tree might become unbalanced and degrade performance . The checkpoint and restore processes (see Backup and recovery concepts) re-create the trees in a balanced manner. Performance might improve following a backup, a removal of the `db.*` files, and the re-creation of the `db.*` files from a checkpoint.

Given the length of time required for the trees to become unbalanced during normal use, most sites are unlikely to need to restore the database from a checkpoint to rebalance the trees for performance.

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