Multiple Copies of vBulletin on a virtual server

[rjav8r]

I have signed up with FutureQuest and they are truly great in the support area. However my inquiry into running multiple copies of vBulletin - since they give me 6 databases with their platinum account - brought about alarm and concern on their end.


From Futurequest....

We have also seen the load that vBulletin can place on a MySQL engine and have had to shut a couple down for excessive resources... vBulletin has a nice start, but still needs quite a bit of work on the optimization end... I am concerned that your >6 DB requirments is a precursor to high MySQL resource usage, and if that is the case then I would highly recommend that your domains forums are driven by a dedicated PHP/MySQL server...


My question to the developers or experts out there is what type of a server load (simultaneous users) should one domain be able to hadle if running let's say 6 copies of vbulletin?

Here are my virtual server mysql stats...

Full production MySQL Server

Intel Pentium III-700MHz

512Mb of RAM

[Martin]

is PHP running as a module under Apache or as CGI? The resource usage increases dratically if it's run as CGI.

As far as a load on mySQL, if mySQL is configured properly it shouldn't be too terrible a load at all. one concern a virtual hosting company voiced to me was using mysql_pconnect() increasing mysql loads, which is easy enough to change. all that needs to be done is cahange the instances in the script to mysql_connect(), at least that's how it was explained to me.

I'm afraid I'm still learning a lot about PHP and mySQL and how they interact, so I'm probably not the best authority on this...

[rjav8r]

It's running as a module - they said they are not concerned by the number of boards but rather the amount of resources they would consume simultaneously....

[wandrer]

We have also seen the load that vBulletin can place on a MySQL engine and have had to shut a couple down for excessive resources...

How many people per day visit your board ? How many total posts per board ? How many users ? Is this a dedicated system ?

driven by a dedicated PHP/MySQL server...

Full production MySQL Server

What do you mean by a 'full production mysql server' ?

[JimF]

I'm setup at FutureQuest, too. They have a dedicated MySQL box that is shared by all MySQL users. When I first started using vBulletin, there were some major performance issues. They ended up putting an additional MySQL server online, and things have gotten much better. At times, and this is VERY rare, I notice slowdowns when there are more than 20 simultaneous users.

If you had six vB's going, it would slow down more than just your site, it would slow down everyone else's too.

[Craig Antill]

I was with FQ briefly. They are very irritable about CPU usage - and were sadly rather unhelpful to me after that point, so I got a refund. If you're at all unsure, i'd suggest finding a different host.

[bigsoccer tech]

Ditto experience. Six vbs will hog up the entire server, and FQ will not be patient with you. They are a great host however.

[wandrer]

personally, i would start looking for another host.

[Martin]

Originally posted by JimF
...I notice slowdowns when there are more than 20 simultaneous users...


they would hate me. it's rare that I have less than 20 simultaneous users at my board...

[rjav8r]

Okay, My thoughts have been leading away from futurequest. Yes they are great for static html but I do require something a little more vBulletin friendly.

Any suggestions, I was looking at site Five's dedicated server option - but yikes a little pricey to start. Anyone have experience or on a dedicated setup they could recommend, that would support 6 or more vBulletins running no prob? Thank you!

[JimF]

Originally posted by Martin
they would hate me. it's rare that I have less than 20 simultaneous users at my board...

...you 'da man! :D

[Martin]

hehehe

I just have a rabid crew at my boards. I wish they would post more, though.;)

[John]

I would recommend that you have a look at Dedicated servers ( http://www.dn.net ). We have been very pleased with them, although support is a little pricey.

John

[Me2Be]

Originally posted by John
I would recommend that you have a look at Dedicated servers ( http://www.dn.net ). We have been very pleased with them, although support is a little pricey.
John

We also use Digital nation for our 3 servers and are extremely pleased with them. We've had very minimal down time and the support has been very good and quick.

[The_Net_Muppet]

Originally posted by Martin
hehehe

I just have a rabid crew at my boards. I wish they would post more, though.;)

me too...., I have a couple of Munchkins who post random garbage all the time;)

[Jake]

Damn, I almost wish our forums had under 20 members online at a time :) We have an average of 60-70 registered members online at a time not including guests... Ours is running better now then, but when it hits over 100 it lags fairly heavily.