IM killing server.....

[tekguru]

Your phpBB Version: 2.0.
phpBB Type: Standard phpBB
MODs: No
Your knowledge: Beginner
Board URL: http://www.4winmobile.com

PHP Version:
MySQL Version:


What was done before the problem appeared?



What was done to try to solve the problem?




De.scription and Message

Well IM has killed our ServInt Deuce VPSPro server dead in the water with 77 users online - page lod times in the 60+ second and lots of opage not found errors.

Does anyone else have problems with so 'few' uses online?

If so any tips on what can be done as out host says it is the Apache loading that is killing the CPU and causing the issues.

[ZacFields]

Since you've never had a problem before, I'd say you're probably got some malicious activity going on. I'd say perhaps some DDOS attacks that phpbb security is not picking up. One place to start would be to check out (via Apache) the IP addresses and see what they're trying to do. This might be a problem if there's 70 users online.

But one thing I would start with would be a server restart if you're able to do one, but like I said I'm sure you're got some malicious activity going on right now because I know your site gets 70 users fairly frequently. The key is finding out which IP addresses it's coming from.

One thing you can try is disabling your boards via the admin panel for a little while, and checking your apache status to see if anyone is still trying to access the same files over and over again. That's usually a tell-tale sign that someone is trying to exploit you.

Out of curiosity are you on 141 yet or still 140?

Zac

[tekguru]

Well the problems are being resolved, the mainm causes were a dodgy MY.INI file which ServInt sorted out and the SEO Mod I'd installed which was eating CPU cycles, we're still slow but no pages are being lost now.

We're also about to upgrade to the next VPS up which gods willing will fix teh issues!

No attacks were in site.

[ZacFields]

Do you know what percentage of the CPU you get with your current VPS plan?

At Spry, the lowest plan (the $40/month one) only gives you 20% of one CPU, or otherwise 10% of the server's total CPU. My pageloads back then were between 3-7 seconds.

Then I upgraded to the middle plan for about $54/month after discount. That plan gives you 100% of one CPU. Instantly my pages were loading in under 1 second each.

Then I just got bored one day and upgraded again so I have no CPU limit on the entire server. Now I pay like $80/month for hosting and IM runs gooood.

It's a good thing phpbb3 is around the corner...theoretically. It runs so much faster than phpbb2 and I think the good folks here at E-Tegra will be bringing a MUCH faster forum software to you guys. I was joking around in another topic saying that hosts are going to lose a ton of money with all the people downgrading their hosting. lol

Zac

[tekguru]

Yeah looked at their specs last night, but for what we need not powerful enough.... <img>

Still struggling here though so have put an order in for a VPS Upgrade.