posted
Greetings folks. I'm sure most of you are wondering why the forums have been down these past few days...
Non-Technical Explanation: IPS, the company that develops our board software, released a new updated version on Saturday. While attempting to upgrade to this new version our extremely large MySQL database (the thing that all our forum data is stored inside) became very, very angry to say the least.
We have a back-up of the database and we're trying to restore it right now. I'm really hoping we'll be back up by Wednesday night, at least that's the plan. But it's out of my hands at the moment as IPS is working their magic.
Can anyone say... the Great Blackout of 2006?
Technical Explanation: When our dedicated server was originally set-up our web host (Server Matrix) split our 80 gig hard drive into different partitions. MySQL data is stored in the /var partition, which is around 5 gigs in size. Our MySQL database is around 2.5 gigs. According to IPS, it is the nature of SQL to almost double the space used by a table when a query is being run as the post indexes are rebuilding. In other words, you actually need double your database's size in disk space when upgrading to a new board version.
During the upgrade process we hit the ceiling of that /var partition and the database started throwing errors. Luckily I had backed up the database prior to the upgrade attempt. I figured out how to relocate MySQL data to a different partition on the hard drive where more space is available. Hopefully it worked. Right now we're in the process of restoring the MySQL database in shell, which is taking forever.
When this is done, IPS will finally upgrade us to IP.Board 2.2 which will bring with it many cool new features. Hopefully all goes well. This is not about lack of space or bandwidth. We have more than we'll ever need. It just turns out that our disk space is partitioned strangely. From what I understand, people who host large MySQL databases usually mount them on their own separate hard drive. So we may look into buying another hard drive to run our database, which we definitely have the funds to do thanks to our Google ad revenue and Community Supporters.
So that's what's happening! I figured throwing up this temp board would help people get their Nightly fix.
UPDATE:
I've confirmed with IPS that our upgrade will be completed during Friday morning business hours. When the board is opened back up we will still be working to restore each of the individual "themes" or "skins," so things might look a little bright. But everything else will be fully functional. Please be patient and allow us time to fix the skins. Thanks!
posted
I thought we killed The Jedi Apprentice... Oh Well I don't know of this Defection of which You Speak... Battle on Young Jedi... May The Force Be With You.
-------------------- "And let there be Light!" said the Blind man
"Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." - Ben Franklin Posts: 64 | From: Lost | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
I understand about databases, having worked in the industry at one time. I figured that a temp one would come up if something went wrong. Thanks for the temp one for us addicts
Posts: 4846 | From: Dallas TX | Registered: May 2005
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posted
haha, i just got a pm from QWR, *****ing about gargles, that i actually recieved in april...
do you have to buy special server HDs that can stand being accessed every half a second? or couldnt you just repartition the drive? with one big bit for the DB?
posted
Wow! I remember hearing about the legendary black out of (whatever year)...this must be it's sequel right?
Hey if any one from the old gang is listening, I caught up with Diva and The Duke this year. I should post photos at some point.
And how old is JA nowadays?
-------------------- Originally posted by A Munkeys Uncle: I guess different strokes for different folks. I lift weights, when I'm at the gym pumping up 400 pounds + I've got people around me yelling and cheering. Posts: 9347 | From: Perth, Western Australia | Registered: Jun 2000
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quote:Originally posted by Undome Telcontar: haha, i just got a pm from QWR, *****ing about gargles, that i actually recieved in april...
lol, i just got one from WAY back when i was 18 (says so in my response), im 24 now!! have i really been here that long????
Posts: 1028 | From: here | Registered: Jun 2001
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And with that I better figure out why I'm up at 4 AM and try and go back to sleep.
-------------------- "There's no such thing as self-help. If you did it yourself, you didn't need help. You did it yourself. Try to pay attention to the language we've all agreed on." - George Carlin
posted
Yeah...I think its hunger that's got me up, so I'm gonna make some toast then try for the bed again.
In the meantime Bender says, "Let's get this place moving again, double time!"
-------------------- "There's no such thing as self-help. If you did it yourself, you didn't need help. You did it yourself. Try to pay attention to the language we've all agreed on." - George Carlin
When our dedicated server was originally set-up our web host (Server Matrix) split our 80 gig hard drive into different partitions. MySQL data is stored in the /var partition, which is around 5 gigs in size. Our MySQL database is around 2.5 gigs. According to IPS, it is the nature of SQL to almost double the space used by a table when a query is being run as the post indexes are rebuilding. In other words, you actually need double your database's size in disk space when upgrading to a new board version.
ummmmm ok
I figured throwing up this temp board would help people get their Nightly fix.
your so good to us!!!
BTW this has my old avatar, not the HP one I made, will it have it when the board is back up, or willI have to make a new one
-------------------- I'm NEVER wrong. I'm just not always right Posts: 1316 | From: Kentucky | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
NIGHTLY!!!!! {{{hugs Nightly}}} *looks at Nightly closer*
You're not the real Nightly! What did you do with Nightly?!
Ahem, I'm ok now.
-------------------- Insanity runs in the family, it practically gallops.~Arsenic and Old Lace You were born an original. Don't die a copy. Jedi Knight and Master to PeleAmelika. Forever paddywhack of Elfie. Posts: 5142 | From: Michigan | Registered: May 2000
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I read the technical portion, JA, and it made sense to me. I didn't realize that upgrade forum software requires double the amount of space that the DB actually occupies...huh. I can kind of understand why, though.
posted
Clouded by the dark side our data base is...ummmmm?
Pain...much pain...
-------------------- “Congressmen who willfully take actions during wartime that damage morale and undermine the military are saboteurs and should be arrested, exiled, or hanged.”
-President Abraham Lincoln Posts: 1833 | From: St. Louis, Mo. | Registered: Apr 2005
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D-Ray Kenobi
et unuhuinë elessar aran utúlien
Member # 5186
posted
You know, I think I actually prefer UBB. Now that it's back, I realized I miss it.
-------------------- Pants quote of the week: "Commander, tear this ship apart until you've found those pants, and bring me the passengers, I want them alive!" Posts: 19070 | From: Central Florida | Registered: Jun 1999
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posted
Because, it's always the most unassuming one who's trouble.
-------------------- Insanity runs in the family, it practically gallops.~Arsenic and Old Lace You were born an original. Don't die a copy. Jedi Knight and Master to PeleAmelika. Forever paddywhack of Elfie. Posts: 5142 | From: Michigan | Registered: May 2000
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Agent George
Mr. Family Entertainment
Member # 6907
posted
you guys are ****ing fired
-------------------- Give us the creed to believe in a night of lust. Give us trust in the night. Posts: 10166 | From: Kirkland, WA | Registered: Oct 2000
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UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
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ummmmm ok![[Smile]](smile.gif)
your so good to us!!!
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