Server Situation - Tonight's Game
 

Just to put an update out there before people get a chance to send me hate mail, here's the situation heading into tonight's game.

I've had some configuration changes done and will have the hosting company assisting in keeping us up tonight and monitoring all the incoming activity. Going forward I've purchased an additional independent server which will be tied to this one, which will handle all the database queries. The problem has been at peak times when everyone converges at once and is hitting the refresh button, it requires the full resources to process everything and obviously things slow down and then eventually it crashes.

Since we've obviously learned that one can't do the job properly (at least not one that can handle a database the size of ours) - I'll be making a change yet again. I'm certainly not going through an entire year with the way things have been, so I've already made the arrangements. They'll be looking at how things are handled tonight and where the load needs to be better managed so they can properly set up a good two machine configuration that meets our needs. That's what the larger forums do, so it appears it's time to take the next step to prevent the game day problems - along with stopping all the emails asking me when I'm finally going to take care of this.

This is scheduled to happen prior to the first game on the 14th, so this will be probably be done next week. I'll keep you updated.

So save the hate mail if there are any issues tonight. If there are any problems - they won't last long and by next week we should begin moving forward to get changed over. Needless to say for all of those people sending me hate mail, the answer is "yes, this will be resolved prior to the start of the season".

If you have any other questions you can post them here.

UPDATE: (One e-mail in already :rolleyes:) Yes - I know I said the same thing last year, but at the time we thought this current server could handle this until we reached another growth plateau and honestly I was trying to avoid this setup due to the costs involved. Clearly now I have no choice but to do this - so it will be done and we'll find a way to make it work.

Ian

Re: Server Situation - Tonight's Game
 

Are the people from the hosting company Pats fans? ;)

Re: Server Situation - Tonight's Game
 

I don't even go on line during the games. Just want to say I don't get the nasty e-mails to Ian. He provides an awesome FREE (if you want it that way, CHEAP for those of us who contribute voluntarily) site for everyone to talk Pats. Big deal if you can't get on line during the game. Why aren't you watching every second?!? If it works, great. If it doesn't, does it really matter that much? It won't be for lack of trying, and if you can do a better job, then be our guest. Anyone who complains is way out of line, IMO.

Thanks Ian for providing a great site and GO PATS!!

Re: Server Situation - Tonight's Game
 

Hmmm, tonight might not give you an accurate picture of gameday traffic, because it's just game 4 of the preseason.... But the upgrade still sounds great to me.

PS, any word on the new chat functionality? I still think that could help reduce significant load.

Re: Server Situation - Tonight's Game
 

Ian didn't mention it, so I will. The cost of the new server has increase Ian's overhead a lot. We are talking several thousands of dollars over the year, according to Ian. And ad revenue is down.

So those still sitting on the fence, it would be a good time to hit the donation button. And those who are not on the fence might be waiting for a seat on the fence, then they can take the next step and get off the fence.

See how it works? :cool:

Re: Server Situation - Tonight's Game
 

While I appreciate NUT's mention, this is not meant to start a fund drive. This is meant to hopefully let everyone know I'm addressing the problem. You'll have to forgive the tone because some recent interactions with a couple of people regarding this situation really has me in a less than happy state - so again this problem will be dealt with and it will be resolved.

Re: Server Situation - Tonight's Game
 

It still shouldn't be that way - and it won't be an issue after next week.

Re: Server Situation - Tonight's Game
 

People send hate mail when the site crashes? That's idiotic- they should be glad I'm not you, because if I were in your shoes that would be a bannable offense. That's life, though- give people an awesome resource, and they'll find things to complain about anyways :P

Re: Server Situation - Tonight's Game
 

People have a right to their opinion, and when people send e-mails through accounts they don't use here, sometimes it's hard to figure out who it's really coming from.

But I understand their frustration and the point of my original post was to let everyone know that it's being addressed.

Re: Server Situation - Tonight's Game
 

I was going to say the same thing. Since I started coming to this site (years ago) I rarely go anywhere else for information because if it is PATS info it is here first. It is disappointing to hear about complaints that come to the web site.