Testing server

[KarenBM]

How do I use the file vb_test.php to test my server? Would have been helpful with some instructions with the file. :rolleyes:

many thanks.

Karen

[Cromulent]

Upload it then point your browser to the file I imagine.

[KarenBM]

Upload it then point your browser to the file I imagine.

Thanks for the reply but I have no idea what to do with the presented screen when I do this. PLease see attched screenshot.

Thanks again.

Karen

[Cromulent]

You need to type in the database name and password of the database that you created (or will create) within your hosting packages cPanel / Plesk or whatever screen. Basically login to your hosting package and create and database and user, then just type in the information into that screen. Leave the database server as localhost though.

[KarenBM]

Yes I did that but the test failed miserably. Incidently the server (1&1) stated a clear warning as I created the database that it could not be used for chat forum purposes and only allocated a maximum 100MB to the database anyway. Let this be a warning for others hosted on 1&1 servers.

I idiotically bought the full unbranded version of VBulletin so hope I can get a refund. I should have checked everything out first but didn't realise it would be so complicated. :(

Thanks for trying to help.

Karen

[Cromulent]

If a host can't handle a forum, it doesn't sound like a particularly good one to me.

[ManagerJosh]

If your host doesn't allow for chat/forum purposes, they aren't really a host then. Go get a real host so you can expand your site accordingly.

[KarenBM]

Generally I am very happy with my server and have not had a single problem with the site since setting it up last July (touch wood). We currently have a very basic Bravenet forum and people just don't post to it, we wanted a place where we could establish a real community and VBulletin seemed to offer just what we required. We wont be making any money on having the forum - quite the opposite - but included it for the sake of our customers (good customer care and all that jazz). I am now considering a separate server just for the forum but obviously don't want to pay out big money for it. Any recommendations? Either that or I'll just scrap the idea and keep the Bravenet forum going - hugely limited though it is.

Karen

[Marco van Herwaarden]

Well your host either allows or not allow forums on their server. So it shouldn't matter to your host it is a bravenet forum or a vBulletin.

[KarenBM]

The Bravenet forum is hosted on Bravenet's own servers :)

Karen

[RattleSnake]

My test failed too. BUt it ran well.. Wat host r u using?

[feldon23]

Karen,
If you ran the test without creating a MySQL database, it will give lots of errors. If 1&1 uses cPanel and you create a mysql database called forums, then it is very likely that the database name should be karenbm_forums. cPanel automatically adds your username and an underscore to all mysql databases you create. Anyway, vBulletin will hit a wall on your website eventually. You can postpone the inevitable by setting Attachments, Avatars, and Profile Pics to be stored outside the database and by using FullText searching. These will all keep the biggest database 'fillers' out of the database and in folders in your webspace.

1&1 Hosting are idiots for only allowing 100MB of MySQL. And they have this limit even on their $25/month packages. No web host of any quality has such a bizarre non-standard limitation. It sounds like they don't want anyone running forum software on their web servers and they should include that fact in their promotional materials so people can make educated choices. I'd never even heard of a limit like this until 1&1 customers came here having trouble with running vBulletin.

If I were vBulletin, I would take the unprecedented step of putting an announcement notice of Hosts that are not recommended. This would include Yahoo, iPowerWeb, and 1&1.

My forum stats are:
Threads: 3,216, Posts: 70,179
Data Usage 367.38 MB
Attachment Usage 295.43 MB
So if I moved my attachments out of the database, my forum would be about 72MB of MySQL. This is after 5 years being on the air.