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DevNet hosting problem.. a possible solution?

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 2:52 pm
by Kieran Huggins
I've recently migrated a fairly popular phpBB3 forum to a $20 Slicehost, and the performance is just excellent. I had previously tried using several shared hosting providers of various sizes without much success, since the shared DB server was never up to the challenge.

It's possible that Slicehost would be willing to sponsor DevNet with a xen server, but if not I'd be willing to chip in to move it over. I imagine others would be willing to fork-over a few bucks as well. May as well put my mighty Canadian dollars to work while they're still mighty.

Thoughts? Pledges?

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 3:24 pm
by feyd
We have a LOT more on the server than simply the forums. It would all need to migrate at some level. We have to wait on some things, so nothing is going to change real soon, real fast.

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 3:25 pm
by alex.barylski
I could possibly be interested...If I donate do I get a tax recipet?

Not getting DN when I want is rather annoying. :P

Are you sure this site runs on a shared server though?

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 3:28 pm
by feyd
It's not on a shared server, and no, you wouldn't get a tax credit. We're not a nonprofit organization.

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 6:04 pm
by Luke
We have a slicehost server... they are awesome! :)

Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 8:43 pm
by Kieran Huggins
The MySQL server is on a VPS?

BTW - I don't want to be causing trouble with a thread like this, feel free to lock it if it's just duplicating something in the admin forums.

Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 2:43 am
by Chris Corbyn
Kieran Huggins wrote:The MySQL server is on a VPS?

BTW - I don't want to be causing trouble with a thread like this, feel free to lock it if it's just duplicating something in the admin forums.
I personally think this is good in public. With the exception of a few specifics I think this should be discussed in the open... It's not like we can pretend there's nothing wrong with our hosting service right now ;) Plus the exposure that we're desparately seeking a new host (preferably donated) can't hurt.

Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 10:54 am
by Oren
Chris Corbyn wrote:It's not like we can pretend there's nothing wrong with our hosting service right now ;)
You kidding? In the last... I don't know like a week or so, I couldn't access PHPDN at all except to very few times which I could for only few minutes :?

Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 11:43 am
by shiznatix
feyd wrote:We have a LOT more on the server than simply the forums.
If I can ask, what all is on the server that is that big and whatnot?

Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 11:55 am
by feyd
shiznatix wrote:If I can ask, what all is on the server that is that big and whatnot?
Beyond the forums, there's all the other subdomains, a few other domains (not related to the network) and a bunch of files Jason loaded which are unrelated to everything.

Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 1:14 pm
by Kieran Huggins
It seems to me that the forum is the main issue, and since it's a subdomain it would be trivial to move it to a separate server, leaving the rest intact and untouched. It will still be part of the DevNetwork, um, network.... but simply hosted on another machine. If Jason wants to move some of his other stuff onto the new server that's his prerogative, and Slicehost would allow him to "grow" his slice to meet those needs. How convenient is that?.

Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 5:57 pm
by califdon
I don't know anything about Slice Server, but apparently several people are familiar with them and have favorable opinions. To answer Kieran's earlier question, I'd be happy to chip in, as I've said before. The idea of migrating just the forums, at least to begin with, sounds to me like a practical solution, but since I don't know all the possible complicating factors, I'm not arguing for any particular solution.

I only observe that the situation doesn't seem to be improving and I'm concerned that regulars will begin to drop off because we don't want to spend our time in frustration, and no doubt there are other forums in the world that, while not nearly as good as DevNet :wink: , would be more satisfying than fighting with this balky server.

Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 6:20 pm
by Benjamin
All I know is that the number of new posts is going way down and Jason is dead-set against not having ads. Something is going on with the current host which is causing limits to be tightened and for the Admin's to seek a new host to provide free hosting while adhering to Jason's rules. That just doesn't sound right to me.

I would propose:

1. Just put ads on the site for users not logged in. I'm sure they would bring in more than enough for a VPS or dedicated server. I frankly don't care if it makes Jason $5k a month. It's his site.
2. Remove posts over a year old - at least temporarily - to relieve stress on the database.
3. Allow the community to fund the hosting. Jaguarpc.com has VPS plans for $39.95, possibly even cheaper.
4. Implement a custom caching system that servers static pages instead of nailing the database. It might be a bit tricky but could be done for people who are not logged in.

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 1:43 am
by matthijs
Indeed, the way the forum is now it's hardly possible to visit or post. I don't know the technical issues, but to me it seems like the problems have increased dramatically in a relatively short period of time. I mean, it's not like the forum has doubled in size suddenly in the last 3 months, hasn't it? I always liked the speed of devnet, compared to other forums.

About the ads: I think "we" should only start talking about that when money (hosting costs) is in fact the problem. Seems to me that's not (yet) the case. Or is it? Besides, already a few people have offered hosting and/or monetary donations. I would be happy to donate as well. I'm sure 40 people donating $10 will be enough to get a decent box running somewhere.

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2007 5:56 am
by php3ch0
I would be up for donating to a community that has helped me so much!