Separate server for MySQL *or* ??? Help!

[futureal]

My forums have reached a new level of sluggish performance, and I absolutely have to do something about it. The forum in question has close to 11,000 users, with vB showing 220-270 typically online in a 15-minute span during peak times. During those times, page generation times can approach 120-150 seconds!

Right now, the site is on a P4 2.4GHz IDE server with 2GB of RAM. This is costing me a little over $400/month for 300GB of data transfer and nightly off-site tape backup, as well as a CPanel license. The only real upgrade path for the server would be to a dual-processor Xeon SCSI system, which would raise my monthly cost to $740.

Another option, I think, would be to add a second, cheaper server, and break the Apache/MySQL chores among the two. I've heard of people doing this before with vBulletin, but how hard is it to do, and is it recommended?

Is it possible that my current server could handle my current traffic?

Any help or opinions is appreciated! Thanks!

[Zachery]

is MySQL tuned for your server?

imo thats rather insane cost, where are you being hosted?

[futureal]

Not sure what you mean by "tuned for my server."

I am hosted at VenturesOnline. I know it's pricey, but I haven't been able to find another host that I both trust and that has servers of that caliber available. Plus, I would rather avoid a server move if at all possible, although if there was a good enough deal, I probably wouldn't pass it up.

Here is a link to my server configuration, which has not changed since eva2000 looked at it:
http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=84550

[Zachery]

VO imo has never been worth the costs

if its just a default mysql instalation it wont be fine tuned for the server

you might want to talk to eva2000 and request a server config :) see if it helps

[Dave#]

I am hosted at VenturesOnline. I know it's pricey, but I haven't been able to find another host that I both trust and that has servers of that caliber available. There are dozens of webhosts with better Internet links and better techs that can provide better hardware than you currently have.

[walter]

First, I have to say that I do not know why some want to bash Ventures Online for their prices. His server is $199 / month with an additional $90 for an update to 2 GB RAM and an additional $75 for tape backup. Tape backup is expensive whereever you ask and most hosts don't even offer that kind of service. And their support is simply not comparable to the next door $99 host.
So what? (and no, I don't work for them)

Second and most important, probably the biggest performance bottleneck are the IDE drives. Have you asked them if they are able to change them to SCSI and how much they ask for this? Or if they are able to offer you a server with SCSI for a reasonable price?

[Dave#]

First, I have to say that I do not know why some want to bash Ventures Online for their prices. His server is $199 / month with an additional $90 for an update to 2 GB RAM and an additional $75 for tape backup. Tape backup is expensive whereever you ask and most hosts don't even offer that kind of service. And their support is simply not comparable to the next door $99 host.
So what? (and no, I don't work for them)

I think you answered your own question - well done :)

[futureal]

Whether or not I should switch hosts is really a topic for a different thread. I am happy with VO and I don't mind paying a bit more for a few things that matter to me, namely support and nightly backup. I don't consider myself to be competent enough with linux setup/config to move to a host with more hands-off support. So for now, VO works for me.

Anyway, this thread should be about my server config.

Do you really think that SCSI drives would make that big of a difference? The memory seems to be fine (there is between 150-250MB of physical memory free, even at peak loads) while the CPU is what gets pegged at 100%. Since this is most MySQL (and thus, I assume, MySQL disk accesses) would this speed up the queries and such, and reduce the overall processor load?

I guess I was under the impression that some of the more modern IDE drives were approaching SCSI in terms of performance. At least enough that it wouldn't make that big of a difference.

Obviously this is really my first foray into server-class computing!

[hankster]

I would think your server should be able to easily handle 250 on-line at once. I have almost the same specs (only 1G of RAM) and I am able to handle 240 with server loads below 1.0

Has Eva optimized your server for you?

[futureal]

Yea, he did awhile ago...

Here is a link to my server configuration, which has not changed since eva2000 looked at it:
http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=84550

Others have told me that my server should be able to handle it, but man, it is really slow at times. :)

[Dave#]

IDE disks should be OK if they are tuned - check out IOWAIT in top to see if thats where your server is struggling

[hankster]

Did you turn on query caching? Have you installed PHP Accel. or Turck? Either should help a lot. For some reason I couldn't run Turck, but could PHP Accel, helped a lot when the loads got heavier.

Running vB3 with caching helps a lot too.

[Zachery]

TruckMM Cache seems to be a good program (Erwin trusts it, it must be good :D)

You can ask for support again, as the server continues to grow with users i would assume the settings might need to be tweaked again

[eva2000]

go the dual cpu/scsi server should handle 200-300 users fine when properly tuned :)

[futureal]

hankster: I do have query caching turned on. I am still running vB2 though, and it seems that a large portion of the drag comes from my forums home page. The rest of the pages (threads, forums, PMs, etc.) seem to load much faster. I haven't experimented with Turck MMcache before.
Dave: I'll check out iowait, I was not familiar with that setting. (linux newbie, yes)

eva2000: What do you think the maximum capacity for a server like that is? One of the things holding me back is that I don't want to upgrade (again) only to find that as my forums grow, I'll have to go through the whole process again in half a year (as has been the case so far).

I know you have a site that dwarfs mine in size in terms of active users; what kind of server do you have it running on? (if you don't mind me asking). (edit: ah, now I see it in your signature... haha)

Thanks!

[Ludachris]

go the dual cpu/scsi server should handle 200-300 users fine when properly tuned :)Eva, do you have everything running on one server for your site? or do you have a separate server for your database?