Help with VPS configuration

[shawn]

or use CDN services. Just get SSD or SSD cache VPS.

He doesn't need any of that crap.

These are two little forums sharing one small-ish VPS. He just needs to optimize the server to work within the limits he's given it. Pare down the apache config to the minimum necessary, pare down the mysql config, install an opcode cache if he doesn't have one already.

 

[shawn]

And yeah, nginx would be "better" from a memory/resources perspective... but might be more hassle/learning curve than you're willing to take on. Some people would rather install nginx, others would rather buy another 1gb of ram. <shrug>

 

[SneakyDave]

Can your host tell you what is eating up all your CPU, a "top" command should tell you if it's Apache or MySQL. I think your server stats are fine, just one of your configurations are out of whack.

From your description, it almost sounds like you have a "noisy neighbor" eating up your shared CPU that your host needs to address.

 

[ibenick]

Thanks for all the help guys. Unfortunately I am not very good with managing my own server so I've mostly just been referring my tech support to this thread.

Over the last few days I got connected with a higher tier tech support. We tried some things that I don't totally understand like switching me to suPHP and then to DSO which took a lot of workarounds to that attachments would still work. That didn't work out (fatal error on both forums) and now they're telling me I can't enable caching without DSO installed. Their final recommendation is that I need to go up to at least 2GB and 2 cores but preferably 4 cores. That's like $300 per month. I think I just need to find a new VPS provider that is awesome at optimizing for xenforo. Time to start digging through the many recommendation threads I think. Anyone have any other ideas or recommendations?

 

[Ghan_04]

$300 for 2 GB of RAM is outrageously expensive. Even Linode, who is currently overpriced at that tier and above, is only $80/mo for that. Though they are unmanaged, management shouldn't cost you $220/mo. lol

So some suggestions:

- Get an unmanaged server. It's really not too difficult to get a server to run a basic MySQL/PHP/Webserver setup. There are tons of resources out there on how to setup a Linux server using command line.
- Find another managed provider. Two good ones to look at would be WiredTree and Storm on Demand/LiquidWeb.

In either case, you might look at getting someone to take a look at your configuration or help you set it up. I host a few different Xenforo boards and would be happy to take a quick look at your basic config stuff to see if anything looks completely out of place.

 

[shawn]

http://www.knownhost.com/vps_packages.html

2GB, managed CentOS server, $60/mo.

And it would comfortably run 10-12 forums about the size of what you have right now.

 

[ibenick]

Haha, yeah, I didn't write that correctly. They don't want $300 for 2GB of ram, they want $270 for the lowest server with 4 cores so with the extras close to $300. He thinks the the 4GB 2-core at $170+ extras would be okay but strongly suggested the 4-core.

What do you guys think about xfhost.me for this kind of thing. I really like the idea of doing business with people who know XF.

 

[ibenick]

=
- Find another managed provider. Two good ones to look at would be WiredTree and Storm on Demand/LiquidWeb.

Liquid Web is who I have now! Man I feel like I'm doing this wrong!

 

[Ghan_04]

Hmm. So they seem to think that you need more CPU? That seems silly. You shouldn't need that much CPU to run Xenforo. What is actually using your CPU? Really need to get someone who knows something to look at the machine. It sounds like the current support isn't doing so well.

 

[TPerry]

Hmm. So they seem to think that you need more CPU? That seems silly. You shouldn't need that much CPU to run Xenforo. What is actually using your CPU? Really need to get someone who knows something to look at the machine. It sounds like the current support isn't doing so well.

Sounds like they are really sales instead of tech support.
I started with a managed shared host thinking I couldn't do the VPS (unmanaged) stuff, but once I went to my current setup it took me about 2.5 days to get the actual site up running with Apache (nginx change over took longer). I like the less overhead and the ability to custom configure MY system to what I want.

 

[Phillip]

http://www.knownhost.com/vps_packages.html

2GB, managed CentOS server, $60/mo.

And it would comfortably run 10-12 forums about the size of what you have right now.

I HIGHLY recommend KnownHost. I've had a VPS for 10 years with several different providers and have been totally satisfied with KnownHost for the past 2 years. Their VPS's are also managed meaning they'll give you as much help as you need along the way. Every Christmas they also upgrade their VPS plans with more RAM, bandwidth, etc. and no additional cost. If you can afford it, it's a no brainer. They'll transfer your VPS as well.

KnownHost also has frequent coupons for 10%-15% off per month for the life of the account. If you can wait a little bit, I'd sign up during one of those times. Just monitor this page...
http://www.knownhost.com/specials.html

 

[ibenick]

KnownHost looks pretty good. For their managed plans, do you know if they do anything other than Apache? And how have they been with Xenforo? Liquid Web was a nightmare to work out all the mod sec rules with XF. I had members getting blocked right and left, uploads not working, etc. etc.

 

[shawn]

You should probably ask them directly. I wouldn't expect them to have any specific XF expertise, though.

The 'managed' accounts have to run cpanel or something. We don't run cpanel, so we're essentially unmanaged. I have filed tickets for different things and received help, though.

 

[ibenick]

Thanks, Shawn. I emailed them and got this back. Very encouraging....

Nick,

Thanks for your email and interest in KnownHost. We're actually in the process of releasing a new website and Xenforo will be our new forum software. Our VPS's will work nicely with it and any configurations needed to make it run smoothly we can assist with. The only requirement is a control panel like cPanel to be ordered so the VPS is Managed which in turn means we'll help install Xenforo and any configuration changes needed to make it run well. Hope to see you signup.

Best,
Justin