Computer Hope

Other => Other => Topic started by: Computer Hope Admin on November 05, 2008, 10:48:53 AM

Title: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on November 05, 2008, 10:48:53 AM
As I'm sure you've seen there is a notice at the top of the forum now. I've done this because I'm finally making some progress on the server and will be testing the SQL database on the new server with the forum code remaining on this server. I hope this will allow me to integrate the new database quicker by not having to setup everything else (website, scripts, forum scripts, etc.). Before moving the forums over allowing the slow down issues to get resolved sooner.

Unfortunately doing it this way requires me to take down the forums occasionally to change what SQL server the forums point to and test it in maintenance mode.


Forums SQL database now running on a new server. While everything else remains on original server, please report any issues while we test things out.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: evilfantasy on November 05, 2008, 10:56:51 AM
Good luck. Some down time is worth it if it makes everything better in the end.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: squall_01 on November 05, 2008, 11:53:05 AM
Thought that there was going to be news about it some where.  Hopefully things will be a lot faster an less isues ahead.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Calum on November 05, 2008, 01:29:15 PM
Good luck Nathan.
Anything I can do to help, let me know, I'm sure others will say the same.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: kpac on November 05, 2008, 02:03:56 PM
Good luck Nathan.
Anything I can do to help, let me know, I'm sure others will say the same.

Yea, same here. I mightn't be able to do much but you'd never know. :)
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: ChrisXPPro on November 05, 2008, 02:06:57 PM
Best of luck and hope no major problems.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on November 05, 2008, 05:24:54 PM
After a long learning experience I've got the forums now relying off the new SQL server I hope this will eliminate all the recent slow down issues we've currently been having. With this setup this should allow us to test the server before making it final and moving everything over.

Continue to use the forum as you normally would and report any issues on this thread.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Zylstra on November 05, 2008, 05:34:33 PM
Progress!

Works fine here.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Broni on November 05, 2008, 08:39:33 PM
Definitely a progress.
I came home 2 hours ago, and the speed is pretty consistent.
I'll make sure to report any problem.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on November 05, 2008, 09:03:08 PM
I've noticed as I've been trying to create a lot of new posts, modifying and other tasks to test that the average time is about around a 1.0 - 1.8 seconds. Although decent I'm sure this could even improve more once everything is on the same server.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: ChrisXPPro on November 05, 2008, 09:07:13 PM
Still quite a lag on page load but otherwise seems pretty good - no server message yet!!!  :) ;)
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: JJ 3000 on November 05, 2008, 09:18:32 PM
Seems  a lot faster tonight. I haven't seen one of those annoying server messages yet.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Broni on November 05, 2008, 09:31:14 PM
Quote
Still quite a lag on page load but otherwise seems pretty good - no server message yet!!!
Ditto.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Broni on November 05, 2008, 09:32:53 PM
I mean, little bit sluggish, but pretty consistent. I can't post average load time, because I have some video file conversion running, which slows things down a bit. I'll post back, when done with video.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: saluta on November 05, 2008, 09:38:07 PM
The thing about the ups and downs of the forum, is just normal. However if all the members in this forum would contribute something for the forum, then there will be a lot when it comes to activities and excitements.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: squall_01 on November 06, 2008, 02:43:26 PM
what are you talking about lot of activty just need time to get some stuff up.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: kpac on November 06, 2008, 03:05:51 PM
The thing about the ups and downs of the forum, is just normal. However if all the members in this forum would contribute something for the forum, then there will be a lot when it comes to activities and excitements.

It's not normal, and the reason is because of server overload. And most of the member on here do contribute to the forum. What are you talking about activities and excitement?
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: patio on November 06, 2008, 05:27:54 PM
Can't wait to find out personally....
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Broni on November 06, 2008, 07:39:07 PM
Since I got home an hour ago, works fine. Little bit lagging page loading, but very consistently, no ups, and downs.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: larrye on November 06, 2008, 08:19:50 PM
Working good for me a lot faster and don't have any more connection problems
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: squall_01 on November 07, 2008, 08:53:46 AM
no issues on this side so far even with dial up but spyware issues.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: patio on November 07, 2008, 09:56:25 AM
Not a single SMF error for the last 40 or so hours....

Thanx again for your efforts !
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: squall_01 on November 07, 2008, 10:08:44 AM
havent got one of those nasty thing yet ether.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Broni on November 07, 2008, 07:00:21 PM
Hey, Nathan, is the transition all done, or you're still in the process?
So far, so good :)
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: !*~.:Pink Floyd:.~*! on November 07, 2008, 07:04:15 PM
Computer Hope forum Is a Roller coaster!


By the way no problems.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on November 07, 2008, 07:55:23 PM
Me neither.

Thanks Nathan for taking all the time and effort to set up the new server.
I know we all really appreciate it. ;D
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: squall_01 on November 10, 2008, 05:25:54 AM
Lot faster here on my end at home.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on November 10, 2008, 05:59:49 AM
Been a bit slow today (2 or 3 seconds), but its fine now.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Zylstra on November 10, 2008, 07:22:43 PM
Been a bit slow today (2 or 3 seconds), but its fine now.
Same here. Its been a little delay, but, I'm willing to live with it.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: ChrisXPPro on November 10, 2008, 07:26:07 PM
Been most welcome not to have had server error messages but - have noticed quite a delay when posting from message window .... blank window for maybe 3 to 4 seconds. (This post submission actually took 6 seconds of empty window, after a 1 to 2 second pause ... maybe 8 seconds total.

Most threads/posts open pretty quick with direct access.


(To add - my speed is probably well below some of y'all - as satellite only gives me about 1Mb potential - at best!)
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Broni on November 10, 2008, 07:35:19 PM
About the same here. No errors whatsoever.
Delay 2-4 sec, I'd say mostly around 2 sec.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on November 11, 2008, 07:13:33 AM
GASP!

Connection Problems
Sorry, SMF was unable to connect to the database. This may be caused by the server being busy. Please try again later.

10:10pm HKT, but its fine now.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on November 11, 2008, 07:50:36 AM
Gasp indeed. Strange. Will look at it.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Calum on November 11, 2008, 10:55:01 AM
Been very fast for me, no issues whatsoever since the switch.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on November 12, 2008, 08:19:01 AM
After server glitch I've moved everything to new server as can be seen things are not all setup yet but because of the down time I thought I'd just let it ride instead of putting it into maintenance mode. Unfortunately I had an appointment so not going to get to look at fixing everything else, e.g. forum themes not setup. But Should get to it later today.

Sorry for all the issues and even though I'm up to a 16 hour work day after this 1hr or so appointment I plan on continuing to work on resolving all remaining issues.

Thanks for your understanding
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on November 12, 2008, 08:29:05 AM
Heh, it confused me for a minute until I read the forum title.

Thought it was Saviour's Forum. :D

At least our community hasn't fallen apart.

EDIT: Darn, no *Topic Starter mod....

EDIT2: Ooh, nice scrollbar:
(http://www.fileupyours.com/files/185178/scrollsig.PNG)
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: reddevilggg on November 12, 2008, 09:52:04 AM

The Forums looking cooler, Well Done
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: squall_01 on November 12, 2008, 10:14:04 AM
experinceing little problems but as nice as this looks know I like the old way it was.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: squall_01 on November 12, 2008, 10:37:50 AM
I didnt mean that it was bad but i found it some what hard to use thats all couldnt see old post an stuff.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on November 12, 2008, 10:56:37 AM
As I tried to mention above (sorry I'm probably incoherent with my lack of sleep) forums still coming online slowly but should be getting back to how they were. Should really notice no difference when done.

Hard to fix issue because DNS keeps trying to send me back to old server.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on November 12, 2008, 07:04:55 PM
Good job Nathan, everything seems to be coming along nicely.

Get some sleep ;)
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on November 12, 2008, 08:12:56 PM
Thanks yeah I finally gave in and took a few hour nap. Mainly because the DNS issues were bugging me kept getting the old server, but looks like most of the Internet DNS servers have new server information and things are definately a lot better. :)
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: reddevilggg on November 13, 2008, 01:05:38 AM

The Forums looking cooler, Well Done

The forum changed, and now its changed back to the original format
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on November 13, 2008, 01:39:56 AM
I guess we have to re-upload our profile pictures?

EDIT: Ah, nevermind.
The attachments upload directory is not writable. Your attachment or avatar cannot be saved.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: patio on November 13, 2008, 09:24:32 AM
Around 9 AM Eastern it was running decent but i noticed replies took longer to load than Topics...
Then a brief network server timeout for 'bout an hour.

11:30 AM Eastern right now and it's the fastest i've ever seen it ! !
Both ways...

Kudos and Thanx Again to Nathan for all his hard work and sleepless evenings...

patio.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: evilfantasy on November 13, 2008, 12:18:33 PM
I just got in for the first time today. 1:15 Central time 11/13. Been trying off and on for a few hours.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on November 13, 2008, 12:30:47 PM
Testing attachments

[Saving space - attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on November 13, 2008, 12:31:25 PM
Attachments issue resolved. Sorry. Sure there will be several small things like this I've overlooked.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: ChrisXPPro on November 13, 2008, 01:07:08 PM
Been a bit of a roller coaster! 

I think admin deserves a free supply of anti-stress pills!  ;)
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on November 14, 2008, 06:06:36 AM
Hmm well right as I'm getting ready to go to bed I've noticed on the posting that have been getting quite a bit of lag. Just throught I'd throw it out that I'm aware of the issue and will be looking into it.

Update: Seems like it posts but doesn't return you back to the main page.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: squall_01 on November 14, 2008, 09:15:23 AM
It seemed a little trouble some last night but I think it was my pc or something.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on November 17, 2008, 09:11:14 AM
Horribly slow tonight.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Jacob on November 17, 2008, 09:31:09 AM
Yes, slow tonight.  :)
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on November 17, 2008, 09:38:54 AM
Servers are currently getting hammered with requests and not keeping up. Looking into it will likely be upgrading the memory to help compensate.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: squall_01 on November 17, 2008, 09:58:37 AM
seems slow know
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on November 17, 2008, 10:19:02 AM
Ok seems to be better now. Apache server was getting overloaded with requests. Was handling an average of 22 requests a second with a maxclient setting of 150. Bumped to 256, max setting for server with current config.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: squall_01 on November 17, 2008, 10:22:40 AM
seems good all good.   Doing some work my self for CH too, as soon as I find the camera getting central heatting put in.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: squall_01 on November 17, 2008, 10:23:05 AM
just got this during my last post
not sure if its important but......

ERROR
The requested URL could not be retrieved

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

While trying to retrieve the URL: http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php?

The following error was encountered:

Connection to 69.72.169.241 Failed
The system returned:

    (111) Connection refusedThe remote host or network may be down. Please try the request again.

Your cache administrator is webmaster.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Generated Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:22:35 GMT by toast (squid/2.6.STABLE17)
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Zylstra on November 17, 2008, 03:45:18 PM
I really wish the SMF connection errors would give more detail... let alone all SMF errors.... maybe even Apache.

Actually, on one of my paid hosts, I have the option of getting extensive information on the error pages... it can be useful, however, little of it has to do with the server.


Nathan,
Open up your favorite SSH program, and log into your server, and run the command "top"
Hows your memory and processes looking in there, and CPU resources?
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on November 17, 2008, 03:51:00 PM
Yeah I have looked at top and other methods and memory is getting maxed at peek times, CPU shouldn't be an issue for a long time. A good way to look at memory and where it's going is doing the below command. Below are the results also at the time of this post.

cat /proc/meminfo

MemTotal:      2057948 kB
MemFree:        348380 kB
Buffers:         72088 kB
Cached:         733116 kB
SwapCached:          0 kB
Active:        1154672 kB
Inactive:       423636 kB
SwapTotal:     2096440 kB
SwapFree:      2096352 kB
Dirty:            7056 kB
Writeback:           0 kB
AnonPages:      773356 kB
Mapped:          25112 kB
Slab:            63084 kB
SReclaimable:    33232 kB
SUnreclaim:      29852 kB
PageTables:      47148 kB
NFS_Unstable:        0 kB
Bounce:              0 kB
CommitLimit:   3125412 kB
Committed_AS:  1587828 kB
VmallocTotal: 34359738367 kB
VmallocUsed:     20144 kB
VmallocChunk: 34359717263 kB

Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Zylstra on November 17, 2008, 05:32:25 PM
You have pagefile enabled on the server, right?


EDIT: Oh! Are you going to install ASPELL as well for spell check on the forums?
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on November 17, 2008, 05:48:20 PM
Yeah on the list of things to do will likely be updating SMF later tonight and then if time permits getting that going.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on November 18, 2008, 01:55:52 AM
Oooh, Aspell. Finally! Heh.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: squall_01 on November 19, 2008, 10:11:10 AM
Sorry which is what????
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on November 19, 2008, 10:25:06 AM
Spellcheck for forums.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: squall_01 on November 19, 2008, 10:32:22 AM
had some what of a feeling.  So you going to make it so it inserts comma's where needed an stuff, know or will I just have to experince these improvements?
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on November 19, 2008, 10:39:21 AM
No that would be a grammar checker. This is only to help capture spelling errors. As far as fixing your grammar issued I'd suggest re-reading your post before hitting the post button.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: squall_01 on November 19, 2008, 10:50:20 AM
Oh, word groups that into so I was just thinking that.  I try too but well you probably see it too.  As long as your happy an stuff.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: homer on November 19, 2008, 04:30:22 PM
Oh, word groups that into so I was just thinking that.  I try too but well you probably see it too.  As long as your happy an stuff.

.......what?
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: reddevilggg on November 20, 2008, 01:22:07 AM

Oh, word groups that into so I was just thinking that.  I try too but well you probably see it too.  As long as your happy an stuff.

.......what?

Exactly!!
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on November 20, 2008, 02:12:25 AM
Quote
I try too
Hmmmm....Try to what?

Lol
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: JJ 3000 on November 21, 2008, 02:07:45 AM
I haven't seen any of those annoying server messages for the past week or so. I'm glad to see you got it sorted out. When is the spell check function going to return to the post options?
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: patio on November 21, 2008, 06:30:53 AM
Wenevr tngs sloo donw efun fer hymn to get 2it...

Seriously with all Nathan has been up against the past few weeks i think a little patience would go a long way.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: squall_01 on November 21, 2008, 09:15:05 AM
I ment I understood what he was saing.  Meaning that when I have a spelling error if I can attempt to fix it right off I will.
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on November 21, 2008, 02:19:58 PM
Spell check is coming soon. Unfortunately not as easy as I was hoping to install on the server. In other words going to take me more than a few minutes to install so right now it's moved down a few on my list. But definately something that will be added back soon. Thanks for the patience. :)
Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: reddevilggg on November 21, 2008, 04:12:26 PM

no porlbem, I dnot mnid wiatnig for a seplchleck.

Title: Re: Forums going up / down for a few days
Post by: Zylstra on November 21, 2008, 05:57:25 PM
Nathan,
I'm not sure how much you know about Linux, however, aspell is relatively easy to install, the best way is in the link below:
http://aspell.net/man-html/Generic-Install-Instructions.html
(Generic instructions, works on most uncompiled Linux programs. Of course, you need to extract it first...)
Not sure if that helps at all.