Founder Twilight Sparkle ✨ 8,527 June 21, 2012 Founder Share June 21, 2012 We're going to be moving to a shiny new server with a new hosting company in the next couple of days. I'm doing everything in my power to minimize the downtime associated with the change of IP address and whatnot, but the forums will need to be taken down for a short period of time to "freeze" the database and ensure that our data is moved across in a consistent and complete fashion. There is also a (very) small chance that the new IP address may not take effect for a day or two in isolated cases, which may block off your access to the site until it propagates. But Feld, did you not just move MLP Forums to a new server a couple of months ago? Yes, I did. But our new host was able to offer me a significantly better deal at a slightly lower price. Our new server comes with an SSD and two hard drives - databases will be configured to run off of the SSD, which should result in virtually instantaneous page response times; and the hard drives provide ample room to continue offering an unlimited file upload quota. So, the new server will be both faster and cheaper. I don't have an exact time for when the move will take place yet, as I'm going to need a few hours with the server after it is built and racked to configure it, set up my off-site backup system, and tune it for maximum performance. I expect to be ready to move MLP Forums over to it at some point within the next three days, though, barring any extraordinary circumstances. 28 Avatar credit: robinrain8 Signature credit: Kyoshi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ezynell 2,037 June 21, 2012 Share June 21, 2012 Moar ponies in less time is always a plus! 3 GAK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chigens and Kay 3,832 June 21, 2012 Share June 21, 2012 May this move be swift, simple, and without problems. -The hope of us all 1 My signature broke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nas 2,873 June 21, 2012 Share June 21, 2012 Nah, I only kid. :3 I for one am excited about this croossovers to a new server. Faster AND cheaper, now that is a win win situation right there. I'm always amazed by the everlasting progress and reliability of the forums’ server performance. 1 My journey in the fandom started on April 5, 2012. I joined here on April 24, 2012. Where that journey is headed now, who knows... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NavelColt 22,881 June 21, 2012 Share June 21, 2012 Rainbow Dash speeds at lower cost is always a good thing. Some downtime is more than reasonable for a new server that doesn't cost as much to run as efficiently as we do. Good luck with the moving~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scarfy HOOVES 310 June 21, 2012 Share June 21, 2012 im super pumped. but i'm going to have no idea what to do with myself in the mean time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Founder Twilight Sparkle ✨ 8,527 June 21, 2012 Author Founder Share June 21, 2012 im super pumped. but i'm going to have no idea what to do with myself in the mean time I expect moving the site to take anywhere from 10-30 minutes or so. It's not gonna be down for long. Just enjoy the MLPF as you do now. I'll provide some advance notice closer to the actual move. Avatar credit: robinrain8 Signature credit: Kyoshi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jokuc 8,174 June 21, 2012 Share June 21, 2012 (edited) Feld0 is as I said some hours ago, best play-d0h. Awesome! Faster forum is something I love :3 Edited June 21, 2012 by Jokuc 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightfall 3,950 June 21, 2012 Share June 21, 2012 Faster? I ain't even mad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiteshade 1,426 June 21, 2012 Share June 21, 2012 Faster yet cheaper? You sir, have just won economics. 3 Warning: Signature may cause seizures, owner will sue you if you complain Nothing happens, yet everything changes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abstract 832 June 21, 2012 Share June 21, 2012 I've got quite an old computer, all sites are slow loading for me. But I am quite happy that the experience will be hopefully much improved for our more, uh, technologically updated users. And the cost savings is definitely a huge plus. "Let the steel of my resolve be not bested by the sum of my fears." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
My little pwny 1,392 June 21, 2012 Share June 21, 2012 Yo feld0, I've got a couple questions for you. First, will you be making the transfer at night? (low traffic time) Second, will the monthly donation quota be reduced? See you November 8th, 2014! http://mlpforums.com/topic/32494-important-announcement-of-mine-please-read-the-whole-thing/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moneyshredderofdeath 414 June 21, 2012 Share June 21, 2012 Excellent news to hear; the faster the better! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 891 June 21, 2012 Share June 21, 2012 On a slightly off topic note, how frequently is this place backed up anyway. Is it a daily incremental backup and a weekly full backup? I'd like to thank the MLP Vector Club for the images used in my avatar. Known as "Princess Mi Amore Cadenza", "Trixie the Great", "Tom" and "Tomzoid the EggDroid". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glaceon 793 June 21, 2012 Share June 21, 2012 WHAT DO I DO WITH OUT THE SITE? *Panics* Good job and congrats with the new server deal Feld0! Previously: Mal (Starbolt) Eeveelutions: @Eevee: Eevee @Vaporeon: N-Harmonia : Ampharos @Flareon: Descant/Bard @Espeon: Locked @Umbreon: Lhee @Leafeon: Firebolt @Glaceon: Mal @Sylveon: DontDropThatDedenne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evilshy 5,090 June 21, 2012 Share June 21, 2012 Man, this site really gets around... Signature now 99% less edgy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor XFizzle 8,669 June 21, 2012 Share June 21, 2012 MLP Forums' resident timelord, sports dilettante, and purveyor of wit and humor~*Traveling Timelord Nonpareil*~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom The Diamond 1,830 June 21, 2012 Share June 21, 2012 Jesus, this site can't stay with one server, it just moves from each one, never committing to a full relationship with a server. :c But I jest, faster and cheaper? Shweet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FedoraMemes 582 June 21, 2012 Share June 21, 2012 Great news! I'm glad that you were able to find a better deal. That will put lest strain on running the forums. The Anime Thread: http://mlpforums.com/topic/20661-the-anime-thread/page__hl__the%20anime%20thread Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3005 332 June 21, 2012 Share June 21, 2012 Excellent! Sounds lovely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Founder Twilight Sparkle ✨ 8,527 June 21, 2012 Author Founder Share June 21, 2012 I just placed the order for the new server, and paid the last bill for the current one last night . It's going to take an estimated 24-48 hours for the box to be ready. Yo feld0, I've got a couple questions for you. First, will you be making the transfer at night? (low traffic time) Second, will the monthly donation quota be reduced? I'll try to make the move during off-peak times, yeah. I would ideally like to eliminate the donation quota entirely, but there is much more than a server bill I need to pay for (software licenses, support contracts, domains, and backup space are a few examples), so the goal may vary from month to month depending on how the finances are looking. Exceeding the goal (like we did last month) won't hurt, either, as it's always better to be in the black than the red (particularly when unplanned expenses come up, which they do from time to time). Thanks to our five subscribers and the boost my hosting business has received from a few new clients, I've cut the donation goal down by 25% this month. On a slightly off topic note, how frequently is this place backed up anyway. Is it a daily incremental backup and a weekly full backup? An incremental backup is made every night at 3 AM PST, and the last seven backups are kept. Backups are made to a secure off-site location in a one-way fashion, so it is impossible for an attacker to gain access to them directly if our web server is compromised. 1 Avatar credit: robinrain8 Signature credit: Kyoshi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evilshy 5,090 June 21, 2012 Share June 21, 2012 An incremental backup is made every night at 3 AM PST, and the last seven backups are kept. Backups are made to a secure off-site location in a one-way fashion, so it is impossible for an attacker to gain access to them directly if our web server is compromised. I've always loved excessive security measures 1 Signature now 99% less edgy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Founder Twilight Sparkle ✨ 8,527 June 21, 2012 Author Founder Share June 21, 2012 I've always loved excessive security measures When shit hits the fan and you don't have a decent backup plan, "excessive" security measures will more than pay for themselves. Off-site, "pull-based" backups with a different hosting company in a different region should insure us against just about anything that could possibly happen. I'd hate to lose this site to a freak accident like physical server theft or a natural disaster (or even something more mundane like hardware failure) as much as you do. I've actually been contemplating amping up the backups to run more often than once daily, considering that we would face a loss of the last 3500-4000 posts in a worst-case scenario with the current setup (ie. catastrophic data loss occurs at 2:59 AM). Running the backup necessitates a full database lock, however, which makes the forums inaccessible for a couple of minutes while it runs. Tradeoffs. Avatar credit: robinrain8 Signature credit: Kyoshi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twiliscael 3,960 June 21, 2012 Share June 21, 2012 Das good. Faster AND cheaper? Rainbow Dash would be proud. Anywho, hopefully this goes without any hitches or problems! I tend to take the high road, get stoned, and fly low . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evilshy 5,090 June 21, 2012 Share June 21, 2012 When shit hits the fan and you don't have a decent backup plan, "excessive" security measures will more than pay for themselves. Off-site, "pull-based" backups with a different hosting company in a different region should insure us against just about anything that could possibly happen. I'd hate to lose this site to a freak accident like physical server theft or a natural disaster (or even something more mundane like hardware failure) as much as you do. I've actually been contemplating amping up the backups to run more often than once daily, considering that we would face a loss of the last 3500-4000 posts in a worst-case scenario with the current setup (ie. catastrophic data loss occurs at 2:59 AM). Running the backup necessitates a full database lock, however, which makes the forums inaccessible for a couple of minutes while it runs. Tradeoffs. Oh, I know. I was being totally serious. I encrypt all my USB drive for the hell of it. I never have anything sensitive on them, generally just game saves, school stuff, maybe some funny pictures I want to show someone. 1 Signature now 99% less edgy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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