The new server at ifish

Jennie@ifish · 03-07-2002, 05:07 AM

OK, the money is coming in. Where do I start?
I think it is important that my ISP helps, as he is the one running the machine.
Someone suggested taking my time.
Well, with a record 181K hits yesterday, I don't have much time before smoke starts coming out of the old server, and I put the other web sites, residing on the server out of commission!
(Oops! Sorry, I broke your web site!)
At peak hours, usually around lunch time. Expect strange posting phenomena.
Even though we upgraded the PHP, these events may occur.
I want to start this thread, as I have e mails of people wanting to help, but it is easiest for me to follow one thread, so I know who is who, and I can ask questions right here, instead of e mail a bunch of knowledgable people.
Know one thing. I don't want to understand how these darn things work. I just want them to work!
:smile:
Jen

Phish_on · 03-07-2002, 07:34 AM

"smoke" will not actually come out of the server, the response time may increase. It still seems to work pretty dang well!

I don't know much about web servers in particular, but I work with computers and networks.

My advice is to try to buy something that will still be good 5 years from now. Or as I call it, "overkill."

Probably want two FAST processors, loads of RAM, LOADS of hard disk (it's cheap, crank it up!) - you don't need RAID level 5, RAID level 1 is fine - (assuming there is a backup process!) - the RAID array typically holds 5 disks. Go with 3 and have room to add more.

Yes, don't rush - get it right the first time.
There's my $.02, worth nearly that.

Jennie@ifish · 03-07-2002, 07:38 AM

I was kidding about the smoke, although I swear I can smell it from here... every time my ISP calls and asks me why his big brother alert is going off on the ifish machine!
Anyway....
What are they talking about when they say two things RAIDed together?
Jen

AngleThis · 03-07-2002, 07:55 AM

I agree with phish on. I have built networks and systems, and know from experience you want to use beefier hardware than you need right now, or you'll be doing this again way too soon. So if you figure the new server will cost two grand, figure three, and we'll make that the goal of the contributions drive.

Phish_on · 03-07-2002, 08:32 AM

More than you want to know about RAID

Well, it's not about ants or cockroaches...

RAID (Redundant Array of Individual Disks?) - simply - means that the data is stored on more than one disk drive, in such a way that the system can keep working if one of the disks fails (and eventually, they all do!).

RAID-1 ... you have 3 disks. 2 disks contain the same data ("mirrored") the third disk is a spare. When one of the 2 dies, the data is copied to the spare ... and you replace the dead one, then it's the spare. ET CETERA

RAID-5 ... I don't understand (It's magic)

That's all you really need to know. Multiple disks, any one can burn up and the system is still functional. End of lesson.

Sniggler · 03-07-2002, 09:33 AM

Phis On...... et all..

this is gunna be kinda long..

RAID -- Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks

RAID 0 -- Known as a "Striped Set".. At least 2 disks are combined by the RAID adapter to form what the Operating system sees as one Disk.. and for all you techno weenies out there.. YES.. this can also be done by some OSs (Win NT/2000, BSD, etc..) rater than by a RAID adapter but you take a substantial performance hit.. so this is rarley if ever done on a serious server.

RAID 1 -- Known as "Mirrored".. Needs only 2 disks.. and basicly what happens is when somethin is written to disk, it is written to 2 disks at the same time instead of just one.. so you have a "mirror image".. if one disk fails you have the mirror image drive with all your data... For disaster you need to do a little OS vodoo if your primary disk fails..

RAID 2 -- Known as "Hamming Code ECC".. involves writing error correcting data to a seperate set of disks.. used when data on you hard disk HAS to be flawless 100% of the time.. Not used very often...

RAID 3 -- Known as "Parallel transfer with parity".. at least 3 drives are required.. used you have more than one RAID 0 set.. When data is written to a striped set, "parity data" (data used in disaster recovery) is written to a seperate disk.. again.. not used very often..

RAID 4 -- Known as "Independent Data disks with shared Parity disk" is jsut like RAID 3 but single disks are used insted of striped sets.

RAID 5 -- Known as "Independent Data disks with distributed parity blocks" is my personal favorite.. (saved my ass a few times) requires at least 3 disks.. the are combinded by the RAID adapter to apear as one to the operating system.. when data is written to the array, "Parity data" is written to ALL the other disks in the array.. If one disk fails. no big deal.. the system uses the Parity Data the is on the other disks to reconstruct the data that was on the lost disk (the array still functions, at a slower speed, even if one disk is toast!) when the bad disk is replaced, the data is reconstructed on the new disk.. Kinda seems like Voodoo??
With a RAID 5 array you loose about 30% of your total disk space.. it is used by the RAID adapter to store that Parity data..

RAID 6, 7, 10 ,53, 0+1 --- I coverd the basics.. this will get really orutta hand if i include these!!! they are not really very common..

hope this cleard things up!! :smile:

Thumper · 03-07-2002, 09:50 AM

Oh yeah....helped a lot....I feel better already....

Jennie@ifish · 03-07-2002, 09:58 AM

Me too, Thump!
What's for supper?
Jen :grin:

Sniggler · 03-07-2002, 10:00 AM

sorry man... did the best I could..

Jennie@ifish · 03-07-2002, 10:01 AM

Thanks for clearing that all up, you guys. :shocked:

Here is my new news.

Don, my ISP has a new server, just out of testing that he will put ifish on, in two days.
This one isn't great, but better than what we have.
It has raid 5. This is a temporary measure to get us by until we get our very own.
My brain is full. I need to leave the room.
Jen

Jennie@ifish · 03-07-2002, 10:43 AM

Ifish is sure a fun hobby!
(Most of the time!!!)
QUICK! I have NO current e mail!
I got 46 thank you letters licked, stamped, addressed and smiled at!
I have uploaded pictures, changed peoples registrations, straightened out their user names, updated a couple pages... and... and...
I have been up since 5 and I get to go take a shower now!
I'm done! WHEEEEEEEEEE HAWWWWWWWWWWW

FISHNG!

OH NO! E MAIL!!! RUN!!!!!!!!
J