We’re working on optimization of the MySQL database settings for the size of the message board’s database as well as general cluster server configuration issues.
Under normal business hour usage the server is grinding to a halt frequently. Just like it did the previous server migration we did until we could work the kinks out…and the migration prior to that…and prior to that. This performance issue will be a matter of days to address not hours. Expect the message board to be generally usable on off peak hours and maddeningly unusable with small periods of usability during peak hours. If the message board is working normally for some amount of time don’t assume anything has been fixed. More than likely the message board is not getting it’s normal usage at that moment or it just happens to be in a period of usability under peak usage. Don’t worry though it will be unusable soon enough. When the message board goes for a few days without long periods of unusability we’ll know we’ve made some significant improvements. Until that time arrives we won’t be working much on other issues that are known problems or are being brought to our attention unless they are deemed more significant than achieving server performance stability.
I’m happy with the performance at the moment. And my employers unknowingly will be happy when it under-performs when I am supposed to be working anyway. Thanks for the update and the redbull guzzling work you’ve been undertaking.
I pretty much know the exact problem. Once again it’s interweaving of MySQL READ and WRITE locks on a database table. Where in vBulletin 3.0.7 this was happening on the large post database table during a search. In vBulletin 3.7.3 we are constantly getting READ/WRITE lock bottlenecks on the thread table when building the forum display pages. That function happens all the time during normal usage so it is actually a more serious problem than what was occurring with search.
So, I know what the problem is. Resolving it is a different issue. First thing I’m going to do is see if an optimization to the thread table index file might not resolve the problem. Restoring the 74,000 deleted threads may have unbalanced that index file which could be resulting in the extremely slow queries we see to the thread table when building the forum display page. Its worth a shot since other possible resolutions are much more onerous and time consuming than that.
Appreciate the update(s)!! Not to mention all the effort that is going into upgrading things.
Would it be best if us Dopers continue trying to use the boards as normally as possible, to give you an idea of where/what problems exist, or should we back off until things are smoothed out? (You’ll have to forgive me, as I know nothing about computer matters; I’m just trying to help in any small way I can.)
Use the boards as you normally would…if they’ll cooperate. You’re not going to break anything and it gives me the best environment in which to track down the performance problems.
I’m trying something unconventional in order to more quickly achieve our wanted server stability. I’m going to break some of the functionality of the board so that we can skip a poorly performing database query that I believe is at the heart of the performance problems. When you display a forum you can now only view the most recent 200 threads no matter how far back you request the display options to go. From The Last Day, Last Week, Last Month, Beginning, etc. no matter what you select you will only be shown at most the last 200 threads. If there are only 10 threads to show you in your display option choice it will show you those 10 threads but indicate there are additional pages to display. Generally this will always be 4 pages but it depends on your forum display options. The additional pages will in fact be blank or just contain the forum stickies.
There may also be an effect on whether or not a folder icon is shown as newer than your last read or possibly on how long you remain logged into the server with your account. I haven’t completely figured out the full effect of the code the forum display functionality is no longer executing. In the limited testing I’ve done so far I’m not seeing any noticeable effect on the folder icons but I’ve had to log in at least once while composing this post which I’ve never had to do in the past. When I know more about the full functionality of what is being bypassed and what effect we can expect I’ll let you know.
This is a temporary measure until a permanent fix can be put in place over the next few days. This will make the functionality of the board a little less useful but hopefully will make the availability of the board much higher. A smaller sacrifice for a greater gain.
If this change to the code gets us through tomorrow without constant periods of the board being up and going down then we’ve made a big step forward. If not a longer term fix is definitely coming but it cannot be implemented quickly.
I see it under Number of Posts to Show Per Page and mine is still set to 200. This actually puts slightly less load on the servers as it is one long retrieval of posts instead of 4 separate retrievals. I have been using it since **TubaDiva **made the change last year.
When I click Thread Tools on the task bar all it does is move the page to the bottom of the screen and gives me no options at all. That is why I wondered if this function is not working as of yet.
You need to go to your user options instead to change the number of posts you see. It is a change for all threads you view, not just the one you are in currently.
It is about half way down the options in the **Thread Display Options **area.
Thanks for the update and the redbull guzzling work you’ve been undertaking.