So I found the warning today on my site that I'm went over my CPU usage limit. I'm using a shared sever under hostmonster. My question is what are my options. My site is http://www.namc.us Using VB and VBSEO, I'm sure VBSEO is really contributing to the overload. Not sure what I should do? Prolly need to switch to a dedicated server, but what do they cost now. Or is there some minor upgrade I can do like go to a better shared host that allows more cpu usage?
I suppose you're on a shared host? If it's a VSP or dedicated then installing something like eAccelerator and making sure you're using mysql's query caching. Otherwise... you could (if you haven't already) move all the avatars, images, etc. to files (instead of in the database) and as far as vBSEO is concerned there are options to set it up that save sql queries (like using the post id or forum id in the url). Read the vBSEO forum for those settings.
I'd do alittle more work before I bought a dedicated host.. What time of day did this happen? Do you have any cron jobs running at that time? Did you set a record for the number or logged in users?
I just noticed - it looks like your forum has been spammed - http://www.namc.us/forums/ford/584-caueoa-eioadhania-dhaaioieea.html It could be that a bunch of spam bots attacked, driving up the cpu.
Your site is not getting enough traffic for a dedicated server. You have a nice site, but for the amount of threads, post and members you have, it is small. A VPS with 512 of memory should be able to handle that site with no problems. A few suggestions I have: Mysql - make sure you have the latest version installed. PHP - make sure you have the latest version installed. Maybe increase your PHP upper memory limit to 32 or 64 megs. I dont know how much memory you have, or what you have your php memory set to, but its a suggestion. My server has a little over 800 megs of memory and my php memory limit is set to 128 megs for 5 sites to share. Eaccelerator - ask your host if you have one installed. http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=165367 Do a few searches for Eaccelerator on vbulletin.com for more information Check out this thread at VBulletin.com - http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=70117
Hostmonster is a fairly decent "Cheap" host and that's weird a forum with just a thousand posts is choking. Hate to say it but it's obvious now that running VB now requires a VPS even at the most minimal of levels. Kev is right though..a VPS with 512mb should cover you for now. Consider dreamhost if you really need cheap shared hosting though. Imho they rank better. Also you will get a lot of people recommend hostgator. A VPS for $30-$50 might be your best option though so you don't have to repeatedly switch hosts and avoid downtime and hassle. btw...gotta say..that's an awesome looking forum you have and I wish you the best of success.
It is obvious that your host set this value quite low. I suggest to change hosts. Your forums is too small even for VPS, it is just your host who ise forcing you to upgrade to a more expensive hosting solution. You are wrong (again) Here is a read for you what vb is capable of even with 20.000 unique visitors in a shared hosting: http://www.theadminzone.com/forums/articles.php?do=viewarticle&aid=40627
I don't think those were humans that were driving up your cpu usage. I think you were flooded by bots. I'd make sure that you've enabled things like captcha, user verification and try to dig through the logs and block those bots that flooded your forum (maybe via htaccess, or through vbulletin itself)
Can you check your access logs and see which IPs were coming in? That should tell you whether you have proxies showing up or bots that are killing your server. You can then block them if you don't feel they benefit you.
Adminzone doesn't get 20,000 uniques per day and never has. That article is pure BS and it's why it's not a post. People would disagree with most of it. Their advice in a nutshell. 1. Don't let users upload images in posts. 2. Shut off attachments. 3. Turn off guest viewing. hehe..funny..I just noticed YOU wrote that article too. OMG too funny. btw...notice I recommended a $30-$50 VPS...so why pay for shared hosting $29.99 as your article suggests and turn off features when you can pay about the same for a VPS and not have any hassle? Seriously...this is really funny you wrote that. I read that in the past a couple times as it's often referred to people. Can you tell me what forums you own (even in a PM)? I would be interested to know from what experience you come from. I am reading your "real life example' section. IMHO..you would be better off ditching VB if you're not going to use their other features.
Yes I've written that article and real life example mentioned there is a forum of my own. It is upto you that you believe in its true or not but if you know my reputation in vb world, you should also know that there is no reason for me to lie about such a issue and also take time to write such an article when it is not true. I'm not affiliated with Jelsoft, nor vbulletin as a whole (except being a fan), I didn't even give the url of my hosting company and advertise them so why bother writing an article if it is a lie? Also that article was written in 09-03-2007 and my forum was receiving 20.000 daily uniques at the time and I was hosting it in a shared hosting of 29 USD by then. I'm now getting 40.000 uniques daily and it is on a dedicated now.
move your forums away on private servers if you love it.. we started on shared , then to vps, then to dedi.. now i own a beast of dedi 250 gigs space, 4 gb ram, core 2 duo processor.. costs high but we need it
I never understood why people pay for dedicated when colo is so much cheaper. I save at least $1500 a year on each server.