'max_connections' error on small forum

Discussion in 'Site & Server Administration' started by Chase., Mar 5, 2010.

  1. #1
    I've been having a serious issue for the past couple of days, and neither my host or vBulletin seem able to resolve it.

    I administrate a small forum with less than 100 members and 10,000 posts. The highest number of users that have been online simultaneously is 26 - nothing that justifies any serious server capacity, from what I can tell. I have very few modifications, including vBSEO. I'm also hosted with HostGator on their most basic plan, 'Hatchling.'

    Over the past couple of days I've been receiving hundreds of 'max_connection' errors through email:
    Database error in vBulletin :
    
    mysql_connect() [<a href='function.mysql-connect'>function.mysql-connect</a>]: Too many connections
    /home/Omitted/public_html/forum/includes/class_core.php on line 311
    
    MySQL Error   :
    Error Number  :
    Request Date  : Friday, March 5th 2010 @ 03:32:31 PM
    Error Date    : Friday, March 5th 2010 @ 03:32:31 PM
    Script        : Omitted
    Referrer      : Omitted
    IP Address    : Omitted
    Code (markup):
    Like I've said, they've been coming in batches of 40-60 and I've received hundreds over the past couple of days.

    I contacted vBulletin, who told me that it was a hosting issue. Afterwards I contacted HostGator. They told me that they could not identify the problem, but that I could try to identify it by contacting them through Live Chat as the errors were occurring so that they could pinpoint them. I did so, and they responded telling me that "it" is being killed off, and my max_connections limit is 25 and it cannot be raised since I am on a shared plan. They also recommended that I upgrade to a level 3 VPS, which would supposedly alleviate the problem.

    Is this the source of my problem - poor and weak hosting? I find it hard to believe that such a small number of members and activity could justify a VPS, but maybe so.
     
    Chase., Mar 5, 2010 IP
  2. ceo.ahlul

    ceo.ahlul Peon

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    #2
    Yup it caused by your mysql server settings. If you just use a shared hosting so it came from the web server.
     
    ceo.ahlul, Mar 5, 2010 IP
  3. RHS-Chris

    RHS-Chris Well-Known Member

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    #3
    Hi there,

    What plugins do you have running in VB? If you have a shoutbox/chatbox plugin, I would disable that for now, and see if the problem goes away (this is known to be resource intensive). It sounds like something is keeping the connection open for too long.

    Chris
     
    RHS-Chris, Mar 5, 2010 IP
  4. Chase.

    Chase. Peon

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    #4
    Thanks for the responses, everyone.

    I have the following modifications installed:

    Add Ignore User to Postbit Dropdown
    AME - Auto Media Embedder
    Automatic Thread Tagger
    Banned User List
    Cyb - Advanced Forum Statistics
    Display Unread Posts and Reputation Comments
    Extended Reputation Display
    Google Adsense Postbit Integration
    GTSearch: Google Custom Search Engine
    GTSmiliebox - Move Smilies Below Editor
    Members who have visited
    Multiple Login Detector
    vBSEO
    vBSEO :: Sitemap Generator
     
    Chase., Mar 5, 2010 IP
  5. RectangleMan

    RectangleMan Notable Member

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    #5
    Cyb - Advanced Forum Statistics

    That's my guess. Usually these types of plugins have a lot of queries.

    Are you using persistent connections?
     
    RectangleMan, Mar 6, 2010 IP