Announcement! MiFBody will be transitioning to a new server

[meissen]

For a couple of years now I've been having issues where I would remote desktop into the server to work on it and the server would lock up for a few minutes, completely unresponsive to me and everyone trying to use the site. LimeStoneNetworks is having a sale on their quad core dedicated servers so I was able to procure a newer, faster server which will ALSO lower our monthly payment by $7 per month. Plus we'll be moving from Windows 2003 to Windows 2008 which IMHO is a more stable operating system. The server is being provisioned now. Once it's up and running, I'll have to manually install all the software on that server and copy all the files over.

The last step once the server is 100% ready to be transitioned over would be to shut down the forum on the current server, copy the database to the new server, and then make a DNS change which usually takes up to 12 hours (but usually much faster than that).

I have 16 days to make the transition. I think I can have everything transferred within a couple of days. Since I have to take down the site (shut down the forum) and make the DNS change, we're talking about 12 hours of down time. When do you guys prefer I do the change? I'm thinking overnight through the week, but I know that'd hurt the "night crew" So give me your guys' thoughts.

[Darren]

doesnt mind at all,

Do it whenever you want captain, no need to work around our schedule, our lives are so boring we will be back when the site is back up, haha. Post a status under the MiFbody facebook account when you do tho so we dont go crazy!

Nice work and thanks for doing what you do!

[c0ncEpT]

12am-12pm seems like there is very minimal activity. Could be a good time?

It doesn't matter to me either way tho.

[sman]

For a couple of years now I've been having issues where I would remote desktop into the server to work on it and the server would lock up for a few minutes, completely unresponsive to me and everyone trying to use the site. LimeStoneNetworks is having a sale on their quad core dedicated servers so I was able to procure a newer, faster server which will ALSO lower our monthly payment by $7 per month. Plus we'll be moving from Windows 2003 to Windows 2008 which IMHO is a more stable operating system. The server is being provisioned now. Once it's up and running, I'll have to manually install all the software on that server and copy all the files over.

The last step once the server is 100% ready to be transitioned over would be to shut down the forum on the current server, copy the database to the new server, and then make a DNS change which usually takes up to 12 hours (but usually much faster than that).

I have 16 days to make the transition. I think I can have everything transferred within a couple of days. Since I have to take down the site (shut down the forum) and make the DNS change, we're talking about 12 hours of down time. When do you guys prefer I do the change? I'm thinking overnight through the week, but I know that'd hurt the "night crew" So give me your guys' thoughts.

I like how still to this day, after you essentially built this empire, pay for it out of your pocket, and manage the whole thing, you ask us when its best time to take it down for a few hours.....

Seriously!!!

B, do what you have to, when you have to, anytime. We will live! I promise! Do whats convenient for YOU!

Thanks for all you continuing hard work! We cant convey how much we all value you and MiFbody!


for upgrade!

[squareandcompass]

This is the House That B built.

Thank-you for doing as you do B. I appreciate you and this site.

[meissen]

Thanks guys - I appreciate the compliments, definitely wasn't expecting that to be the outcome of the replies

Just a status update - new server is online, some software installed, and now the file transfer begins. A little over 111,000 files to transfer - already down to 92,000 and going.

[81DaytonaPaceCar]

Do what you gotta do, B, we'll work around it.

But don't make it too long...

[Lucky SOB]

Thanks Brian!

[meissen]

Alright guys - it's happening at 9pm! Only 30 more minutes to get your posts in for the evening.

[meissen]

And we're live on the new server. Once more people's DNS updates to the new server's IP address, more people will be here on the new server! Thanks for everyone's patience! This has to be a new record for getting a new server at 10:15am yesterday and within 36 hours we're live on the new server!

[sman]

I have got to say, this is the most noticeable upgrade yet. I have always had this weird thing happen with the whole page until the shoutbox loaded, now the forum main pages loads instantly. It has been driving me nuts FOREVER, THANK YOU!

The whole site seems snappier, good move.

[meissen]

By upgrading to Windows 2008 R2, I feel comfortable relying on windows' built in firewall to provide our protection. Not having to run an additional software firewall saves us on resources, I think the firewall I was using on the old server slowed us down.

[sman]

08 R2 is great, weve had awesome luck with it at work. Its been so stable for us. Hopefully it continues to work great for the site!

[meissen]

I really hope so. I don't know if win2003 was my issue or if it was the firewall, but it's nice to be able to RDP into the server and not have the site lose its internet connection for 2-3 minutes.

[sman]

Damn, I bet, thats ridiculous!