How to properly change "innodb_buffer_pool_size" value for mysql? I have following environment:

# cat /etc/redhat-release 
CentOS Linux release 7.2.1511 (Core) 
# rpm -qa | grep ^mysql-community-
mysql-community-common-5.5.48-2.el7.x86_64
mysql-community-libs-5.5.48-2.el7.x86_64
mysql-community-client-5.5.48-2.el7.x86_64
mysql-community-release-el7-5.noarch
mysql-community-server-5.5.48-2.el7.x86_64
# 


I need to adjust innodb_buffer_pool_size value for mysql, however last time when I try to do that, something went south and I end up restoring database from backup( database is ~100G, so ideally I wouldn't want to go that route again.

steps that I took last time:


stop mysqld
adjust value of innodb_buffer_pool_size inside of my.cnf
killed ib_logfile*
start mysqld


What did I do wrong? What should I do different this time?
Changing innodb_buffer_pool_size doesn't need you to nuke ib_logfiles. This could easily be the reason for you had to restore the database (*).

Just stop mysql -> change the settings in my.cnf -> start mysql.


  (*) ib_logfiles are holding recovery data, pages which were not yet
  checkpoint to the tablespace. If you remove them without making sure
  you have a clean shutdown you risk losing data and corrupting your
  database.