New Server

[MixMasta]

Re: New Server

Other things you may want to look at if you are bored...


Make sure php is installed as a module w/ IIS (probably is)

Use phpMyAdmin to view statistics about the mySQL server use. Make changes to the mysql cnf file to optimize speed based on whats in red (phpMyAdmin is nice because it highlights potential problem areas in red, though not everything in red is necessarlily bad or fixable)

Try accessing mySQL with named pipes instead of TCP (I assume you run them on the same computer. this is sometimes trickier then you would think with windows versions of php and mysql, obviously mysql will need to have named pipes enabled in the cnf file. According to the php manual here, http://us.php.net/function.mysql-connect , anytime you use localhost it should try to use named pipes by default. I have however found this to not be the case, and to force it to connect to a named pipe, you should use '.' as the connection string [vBulletin may have this all automated for you already?])

Anyways, just some tips from a former php programmer...

[Topcat]

Re: New Server

^
I'm the farthest thing there is from a programmer!! LOL The SQL server is running localhost, so I assume (from what I read in the link), I have it configured that way. I was thinking down the road of a backend dedicated database server, but that would be down the road when I build my rack. The buildup for that will be a good 6 month long process, since I am essentially starting from ground zero with my servers again... I miss big blackie already, but with all the sites I run and things I do, I outgrew her....

[Azurael]

Re: New Server

...Why Windows?

Surely some Linux Distro or (preferably IMHO) FreeBSD with a LAMP setup would be more stable, secure and fast. I'll use Windows as a desktop OS, but certainly not on my home server

Plus, it's not like IIS is well known for its security and reliability. You can run Apache on Windows too, if you must?

[willawake]

Re: New Server

hahahahahahahaha (old joke)

[MixMasta]

Re: New Server

Whats badcaps average hits per day anyways? Peak concurrent sessions (on non slashdot days!)?

[Topcat]

Re: New Server

...Why Windows?

Surely some Linux Distro or (preferably IMHO) FreeBSD with a LAMP setup would be more stable, secure and fast. I'll use Windows as a desktop OS, but certainly not on my home server

Plus, it's not like IIS is well known for its security and reliability. You can run Apache on Windows too, if you must?

Funny. I've had more issues and dataloss problems on linux servers than I ever have on Win servers. This particular one is using IIS, but I do have another winbox running apache (long live virtual hosting). The windows versus linux debate will go on for eternity... Like coke versus pepsi, democrat versus republican, or GM versus ford... I use what I like, as I'm sure you do as well.

Mix, I'll check the server log and find out, I never really kept track.

[Azurael]

Re: New Server

I think I'd worry more about IIS than Windows per se... IMHO Windows only has a reputation for being insecure because of idiots configuring it and dodgy hardware (neither of which apply here!) but IIS is amongst the buggiest code to come out of Redmond.

I don't think the OS debate is like Coke vs. Pepsi; that's subjective, whereas it's basically a proven fact that Linux-based servers have longer average uptimes than those running Windows, whatever the reason for that may be. I can't think of a scientific way to prove Coke tastes better than Pepsi or visa versa. I'm certainly not an advocate for Linux or the mentality behind its development and distribution, however.

[willawake]

Re: New Server

I don't think the OS debate is like Coke vs. Pepsi; that's subjective, whereas it's basically a proven fact that Linux-based servers have longer average uptimes than those running Windows

you did not take into account what an admin is most comfortable with. Regardless of whether linux has longer average uptimes, an admin should go with the os which he is most competent at and this will result in the best performance, reliability, uptime etc that he is capable of delivering.

I question the whole idea of uptime anyway cos if a server has years and years of uptime i would be asking whether its hardware was being serviced and upgraded at all.

[Topcat]

Re: New Server

I question the whole idea of uptime anyway cos if a server has years and years of uptime i would be asking whether its hardware was being serviced and upgraded at all.

I agree. I am not impressed by a server with a million year uptime, whooptie doo doo... I cycle parts regularly (mainly hard drives), usually once every year or two. I also reboot when there's updates for the OS. Longest uptime I've had on a win server was 11 months, and that was only broken because the power went out, and the UPS batteries couldn't run it anymore. The 'coke v pepsi' is very comperable to linux versus windows comparisons. In simple terms, some like linux, some like windows. I have nothing against linux, it's a very powerful OS, but I prefer windows. On that note, I've never had a winserver compromised, and I've used winservers since 1997, since that's every linux junkie's first gripe. I guess I'm just a windows brat.

[MixMasta]

Re: New Server

I assume Topcat is probably using a hardware firewall/router type device like most windows user do (including me). That said, many people don't realize that Windows 2K/XP has a very powerful ipsec firewall implementation that works almost too well (egress is tricky to restrict yet not stop services like dns from functioning correctly). Its buried in computer management, but here is an ok tutorial if anyone is interested (its not perfect and there are a couple mistakes in it that will stop things from working correctly).

http://homepages.wmich.edu/~mchugha/w2kfirewall.htm

Note: This is not the same as the firewall that comes with Win XP SP2.

[Topcat]

Re: New Server

For a firewall, I've used Neowatch for ages. it does a pretty good job of keeping the bad guys out. I also have things restricted pretty good at the router (cisco 3600 series).

[toastygoodness]

Re: New Server

not to be a naysayer or anything, but didn't Secunia or somebody release a report that Windows (especially server) had the least security holes? plus uptimes don't prove squat - it's just like saying you can stay up the longest out of all your friends. you may be awake, but you won't be able to function that well. i've always rebooted my servers, whether my win2k3, archlinux, or netbsd server at least once a week.

[Logistics]

Re: New Server

I run my business off a 384/1500 ADSL line, but I'm tired of the line errors from 40+ year old copper in the street boxes.

Perhaps you have a poor connection between the jack and your in-house box. Make some new cables using some extra CAT5, including the cable from the jack to the modem. This is ridiculously over-rated for ADSL, but who cares.

[Spacedye69]

Re: New Server

Most security issues are caused by configs, not the OS. I agree with Will, run whatever you know best. Windows can be very secure and stable. The problem is, without taking $$ courses or buying a lot of Microsoft Press books, the info on how to do it is poorly documented or not existent.

Remember Microsoft pre Win 2000? If nothing else, Linux has improved the OS community by making Microsoft work for their money!

[Topcat]

Re: New Server

Most security issues are caused by configs, not the OS. I agree with Will, run whatever you know best. Windows can be very secure and stable. The problem is, without taking $$ courses or buying a lot of Microsoft Press books, the info on how to do it is poorly documented or not existent.

Remember Microsoft pre Win 2000? If nothing else, Linux has improved the OS community by making Microsoft work for their money!

That is true. Windows NT 4 required a lot of editing and configuring to make it secure, and a lot of it was trial and error. Linux at the time was very similar, lots of security holes, and little detailed documentation on how to remedy them. Granted, NT4 was worse in it's time for bugs and security flaws. How-to's and support just was not there for it, and if you didn't take the M$ courses for it, you were pretty much on your own. That all changed with W2K. M$'s site is still pretty useless for tech support these days, but there's so much information out there thanks to Google that whatever you need is a quick search away.

[MixMasta]

Re: New Server

Are private message email notifications broken?

[iesaunders]

Re: New Server

So what is the new server built around (motherboard etc.)?