SDL website update

SDL Development
1

…so we moved libsdl.org from Dreamhost’s shared servers to Dreamhost
PS, which basically gives us dedicated RAM and CPU that doesn’t have to
compete with everyone else on the server.

This is actually pretty cool; I can add more physical RAM to the machine
by adjusting a slider, and the system’s Linux kernel thinks you
hotswapped some more memory chips into the “machine” without a reboot.

The problem, it turns out, is that the system can be pretty unforgiving
when you don’t have that slider adjusted high enough. For those that
have gotten occasional (and not so occasional!) 503 errors in the past
two weeks, this is what’s been going on. We’re still trying to decide
exactly how much memory is needed, since we pay by the megabyte for
Dreamhost PS.

There were one or two other migration burps (like an incompatible python
install with the Subversion web viewer), but overall, I think we’re
probably solid again now. We’re still optimizing things to use less RAM
and make sure we don’t hit the ceiling, regardless of optimization. It’s
a little funny to be sitting here, in 2008, and thinking “PHP uses 8
megabytes per instance, how can I get that down to six?” :slight_smile:

Sorry for any inconveniences. If you have problems with any part of
libsdl.org (website, subversion, email, etc), please don’t hesistate to
contact me directly and I’ll take a look at it right away.

–ryan.

2

Hello !

…so we moved libsdl.org from Dreamhost’s shared servers to Dreamhost
PS, which basically gives us dedicated RAM and CPU that doesn’t have to
compete with everyone else on the server.

This is actually pretty cool; I can add more physical RAM to the
machine by adjusting a slider, and the system’s Linux kernel thinks you
hotswapped some more memory chips into the “machine” without a reboot.

The problem, it turns out, is that the system can be pretty unforgiving
when you don’t have that slider adjusted high enough. For those that
have gotten occasional (and not so occasional!) 503 errors in the past
two weeks, this is what’s been going on. We’re still trying to decide
exactly how much memory is needed, since we pay by the megabyte for
Dreamhost PS.

There were one or two other migration burps (like an incompatible
python install with the Subversion web viewer), but overall, I think
we’re probably solid again now. We’re still optimizing things to use
less RAM and make sure we don’t hit the ceiling, regardless of
optimization. It’s a little funny to be sitting here, in 2008, and
thinking “PHP uses 8 megabytes per instance, how can I get that down to
six?” :slight_smile:

Sorry for any inconveniences. If you have problems with any part of
libsdl.org (website, subversion, email, etc), please don’t hesistate to
contact me directly and I’ll take a look at it right away.

Personally, beside the problem with the SVNwebviewer,
i never had any problems to connect to the site.

What are the current specs for the server,
how much ram, how much hd space ?

What would be the price of this config with 1GB RAM ?
What would be the price of this config with 512MB RAM ?

CU

3

Hello !

There were one or two other migration burps (like an incompatible
python install with the Subversion web viewer), but overall, I think
we’re probably solid again now. We’re still optimizing things to use
less RAM and make sure we don’t hit the ceiling, regardless of
optimization. It’s a little funny to be sitting here, in 2008, and
thinking “PHP uses 8 megabytes per instance, how can I get that down to
six?” :slight_smile:

Sorry for any inconveniences. If you have problems with any part of
libsdl.org (website, subversion, email, etc), please don’t hesistate to
contact me directly and I’ll take a look at it right away.

What is the current budget for the SDL website at the moment ?

Why not asking people from OSUOSL about a place on their servers ?
Maybe they can provide a XEN like hosting, that still gives
all the powers to Ryan and Sam ?

CU

4

What are the current specs for the server,
how much ram, how much hd space ?

What would be the price of this config with 1GB RAM ?
What would be the price of this config with 512MB RAM ?

It’s about 10 cents a megabyte, but you get about double that with what
looks like swap space (but it’s still actually backed by physical RAM
outside the virtual server)…the theory is if you pay for 512
megabytes, you can “burst” up to a gigabyte in case your server is under
unexpected load, like a slashdotting, etc. Once you run out of swap
space, things start going badly, of course, so you just have to find the
right level.

…so it’s about 5 cents a megabyte per month, realistically.

Disk space and bandwidth are basically insanely high: we started with 8
terrabytes of bandwidth a month, and it increases by 32 gigabytes every
month…we’re up to 11 terrabytes at the moment.

Disk space started at (I can’t remember), increasing 2 gigabytes a
month. It’s at 580 gigabytes right now. It runs off NFS to what I
suspect is a ZFS file server, and automated backups are built into the
system, with one day, one week, and two week resolution…so it’s not a
question of “disk space” … it looks like it’s going to an array of
disks on a networked disk array…it at least “feels” very safe against
hardware failure, to me.

We’re not even close to the initial limits on the account.

I use this account for things other than libsdl.org, too, and I’m really
happy with Dreamhost, so I don’t plan to move elsewhere. Sam and I both
have full control over everything we care about, including shell
accounts, so I don’t think there’s a compelling reason to move elsewhere.

–ryan.