forum server getting slower and slower

[tthurgo]

We run our forum on one server. Means httpd and database sit on the same piece of hardware. Specs are as follows.

CPU: Celeron 1.2Ghz (i know )
RAM: 256 MB RAM

So, I know this is not much. Also, I am moving over to a more powerful piece of hardware next week (it's ordered). P4-HT, 3ghz, 1 GB RAM and so on.

However since I am experiencing problems now, I'd like to tune it a little if possible. The problem arrises from out of the blue. Suddenly more and more connections stay open and they are not closed immediately. I tweaked the *_timeout settings for mysqld now, but I am wondering if you had more suggestions.

Here is my my.cnf

# The MySQL server
[mysqld]
port = 3306
socket = /tmp/mysql.sock
skip-locking
key_buffer = 16M
max_allowed_packet = 1M
table_cache = 64
sort_buffer_size = 512K
net_buffer_length = 8K
read_buffer_size = 256K
read_rnd_buffer_size = 512K
myisam_sort_buffer_size = 8M
skip-networking
server-id = 1
interactive_timeout = 10
wait_timeout = 10

My httpd.conf

ServerType standalone
ServerRoot "/usr/local"
PidFile /var/run/httpd.pid
Timeout 150
KeepAlive On
MaxKeepAliveRequests 200
KeepAliveTimeout 15
MinSpareServers 20
MaxSpareServers 50
StartServers 15
MaxClients 350
MaxRequestsPerChild 100
ListenBacklog 20
LimitRequestFields 40
LimitRequestFieldSize 1000
LimitRequestLine 1000

I commented out whatever modules are not in use. So this should be lightweight. The installation is from the ports (FreeBSD 4.10).

Thanks for any advice!

Tom

[Dennis Olson]

Memory is LIFE to a server. You should have AT LEAST 1 Gb, and preferably 2.

[Zachery]

Good god, you are insanely underpowered...

After yoiu move to your new server, provide all the info we need so we can optmize that server for you.

[tthurgo]

Good god, you are insanely underpowered...

After yoiu move to your new server, provide all the info we need so we can optmize that server for you.

No chance we can do *anything* now? :|

[tthurgo]

I tried to get some more installed in this server, but no retailer was able to get some for me. And the one I got was not picked up by the board. Ahem...

[Dennis Olson]

If you own your server, you can look on the manufacturer's website for the memory requirements of your server model. This will determine how large the mem chips can be each (capacity), as well as how many you can have on-board. Then you can surf over to ebay and obtain the mem you need at a good price.

[tthurgo]

If you own your server, you can look on the manufacturer's website for the memory requirements of your server model. This will determine how large the mem chips can be each (capacity), as well as how many you can have on-board. Then you can surf over to ebay and obtain the mem you need at a good price.

Don't need this. I ordered new hardware, I want to optimize some (if possible) for a few days. I never just throw hardware on a problem, I want every bit of performance that is possible.

[Dennis Olson]

I think you'll find that in this case, throwing hardware (RAM) at the problem will go a LONG way toward solving your problems.

[tthurgo]

I think you'll find that in this case, throwing hardware (RAM) at the problem will go a LONG way toward solving your problems.

I am not doubting that I don't have a lot available right now. No question, traffic was just rising and I already stated that I got new hardware. I was looking for help in the meantime. Just telling me that I need new hardware - when I already ordered it and stated so in my first post - is useless then. :|

[Dennis Olson]

You asked what you needed. We told you. End of story.

You cannot "optimize" when you don't have hardware powerful enough to support your applications. Sorry, but that's the cold reality. When you get your new equipment remember this one thing: you need to keep your swap at as close to zero as you can. The higher the swap, the slower your server.

Not rocket science.

BTW, my forum has close to 1.5 million posts, and I run on a 4-server farm. My 95th percentile I/O rate is about 1.0 Mbps. I think I know a tad bit about performance...