Slow down with the last couple versions?

[MotoUp]

I'm just wondering if it's my host, or vB. With the last couple of updates, my forum seems to have gotten much slower. Is it just me, or have others had this problem? I'm definitely not blaming vB for anything, just trying to track things down.

[the Sandman]

I'm just wondering if it's my host, or vB. With the last couple of updates, my forum seems to have gotten much slower. Is it just me, or have others had this problem? I'm definitely not blaming vB for anything, just trying to track things down.

Kier addressed that in This Thread.

Performance Hit Since PHP 4.3.10 / 5.0.3

Many people have noticed that vBulletin (any a lot of other PHP applications) suddenly started to run significantly slowed than normal after installing PHP 4.3.10 or 5.0.3 in order to patch the security flaw in previous versions of PHP.

This cause of this slow-down has been identified as a problem with the unserialize() function in PHP. For more details, see bugs.php.net.

This problem has now been fixed by the PHP developers, though the fixed version has yet to be released in a 'stable' version. However, the latest CVS snapshots of PHP 4.3.x and 5.0.x, available from snaps.php.net contain the fix and restore the original speed of unserialize().

While we would not recommend running a 'dev' version of PHP on any production server, we understand that the performance problem has been a major issue for some people. If you are badly affected, you may want to consider running a 'dev' version of PHP at your own risk in order to overcome the performance problem.

[MotoUp]

Thanks. How do I find out what my host is running?

[the Sandman]

Thanks. How do I find out what my host is running?

You can find the php version in your AdminCP - either in the Quick Stats box if you've enable it or via Import & Maintenance > View php info.

[MotoUp]

Duh, I didn't think about looking there. I guess that's what I get for thinking. It shows PHP 4.3.2. Would I be affected by this?

It seems like it's sporatic whether it's slow or not. One time it'll be fast as normal, then another it'll be slow slow slow. So I wonder if it's just my host. They've always been fast, but I guess not everyone can be fast forever. Any ideas? I guess the biggest factor is whether the verion of PHP my server is running would cause this or not.

I'm done rambling. Any insight will be greatly appreciated.

[the Sandman]

Duh, I didn't think about looking there. I guess that's what I get for thinking. It shows PHP 4.3.2. Would I be affected by this?

No... but you are vulnerable to the php flaws prior to 4.3.10. Read This Thread.

And yes, it could be your host. What kind of hosting plan are you on and what are your typical server loads?

[MotoUp]

Thanks for the info. I submitted a ticket to them to see if there's anything they can do. That's definitely a vulnerability I wasn't aware of. Is there anything I should do in the mean time to protect myself?

[the Sandman]

You could take the steps outlined in This Thread. However, it is recommended that you upgrade to php 4.3.10 (or get your host to do it if you're not on a dedicated server). The speed issues you're having are not related to this issue and should be addressed separately after you are secure. The php developers have solved this issue with 4.3.10 and will be releasing a replacement for it.

[MotoUp]

I am not on a shared server, not a dedicated server. Has anyone had to work with their host in order to do this? Anyone have any suggestions as how to approach them to make it NOT sound like you're trying to tell them what to do?