mattwservices.co.uk - Server Configuration / Hosting / Support

[MattW]

Professional Linux Server Management & Hosting Services​

I'm a Linux Systems Engineer with over 20 years of enterprise experience, specializing in server management, deployment, and hosting solutions. Based in Rotherham, UK, I provide reliable, scalable infrastructure services to businesses of all sizes.

Core Services​

Enterprise Server Management​

Modern Linux Infrastructure Solutions

• Server Configuration & Deployment - AlmaLinux 8/9, CloudLinux, CentOS
• Control Panel Integration - cPanel, DirectAdmin implementation and optimization
• Web Server Optimization - Apache, Nginx, LiteSpeed configuration
• Database Solutions - MySQL, MariaDB, Percona optimization and migration
• Performance Enhancement - Redis, Memcached, OPcache implementation
• Security Hardening - SSL/TLS certificates, firewall configuration, security auditing
• Monitoring & Maintenance - Proactive system monitoring, automated backups, patch management

Server Migration Services​

Seamless Data Migration Solutions

• cPanel to cPanel migrations with zero downtime planning
• Legacy system migrations including custom applications and databases
• Cloud migration services from physical to virtual environments
• Complete backup and restoration with data integrity verification

Professional Shared Hosting​

UK-Based High-Performance Hosting

• Location: London, UK or New York, US
• Infrastructure: NVMe SSD storage, latest AMD processors
• Technology Stack: cPanel with LiteSpeed web server
• Multiple tiers available to suit different business requirements

Custom Solutions​

Tailored Infrastructure Design

• Architecture consultation for scalable server environments
• Automation development using Bash and Python scripting
• Performance optimization and capacity planning
• Disaster recovery planning and implementation

Technical Expertise​

Operating Systems: AlmaLinux, CloudLinux, CentOS, RHEL
Control Panels: cPanel, DirectAdmin
Web Servers: Apache, Nginx, LiteSpeed
Databases: MySQL, MariaDB, Percona
Scripting: Bash, Python, PHP, Perl
Virtualization: Proxmox, VMware
Networking: DNS management, load balancing, CDN integration

Why Choose MattW Services?​

• 20+ years of Linux systems engineering experience
• Enterprise-grade solutions adapted for businesses of all sizes
• UK-based support with understanding of local business requirements
• Proactive approach to system maintenance and security
• Custom automation to reduce operational overhead
• Proven track record in complex migrations and deployments

Legacy Forum Services (Limited Availability)​

While I've stepped back from forum-specific services to focus on core infrastructure, I still occasionally assist with:

• XenForo installations and migrations
• phpBB and vBulletin migration projects

Please contact me to discuss specific forum-related requirements.

---

Ready to discuss your infrastructure needs?
Contact me to schedule a consultation and learn how I can help optimize your server environment.

For detailed pricing and service packages, visit: https://mattwservices.co.uk/resources/

 

[DRE]

Couple months ago I was unable to create a test forum on shared hosting because I was getting slammed by Baidu Search Engine bots. @Slavik suggested that I get a managed VPS so I created a Paid Request thread. While investigating different server setups, I asked people about Apache with Nginx Reverse Proxy and out of all that I asked @MattW showed the most experience in this kind of setup so I paid him to move me over to KnownHost Managed VPS SSD. He has done an excellent job! I trust his knowledge and expertise more than my own host.

 

[MattW]

Thanks @DRE

 

[Adam Howard]

I would and do recommend @MattW for nginx installs and setup.

 

[MattW]

I would and do recommend @MattW for nginx installs and setup.

Thanks for the recommendations Adam

 

[MattW]

I've just moved my XenForo site to a full nginx / PHP-FPM set up, so I'm a lot more familiar with setting that up now as well

 

[Mouth]

I've just moved my XenForo site to a full nginx / PHP-FPM set up, so I'm a lot more familiar with setting that up now as well

Make sure you config the php session handler to use memcache

 

[MattW]

Make sure you config the php session handler to use memcache

Still on my list of things to do (and also set it to use igbinary for the session.serialize_handler)

 

[Brent W]

Hey Matt, can you check this out and see if it falls into the Find and Replace part of your services.

 

[akia]

Make sure you config the php session handler to use memcache

Is this worth doing, is the performance boost worth the time?

 

[Mouth]

Is this worth doing, is the performance boost worth the time?

Yes, if you have memcache you may as well use it fully. Takes a 1 line edit to your php.ini and reload php

 

[MattW]

Hey Matt, can you check this out and see if it falls into the Find and Replace part of your services.

Will take a proper look when I'm at my laptop tomorrow if that's OK?

 

[Brent W]

Will take a proper look when I'm at my laptop tomorrow if that's OK?

Sure

 

[MattW]

Still on my list of things to do (and also set it to use igbinary for the session.serialize_handler)

Done last night

 

[MattW]

Hey Matt, can you check this out and see if it falls into the Find and Replace part of your services.

Just tried having a quick look at the find / replace using your examples, but my new set up needs some tweaking to get the route for the output to display

 

[Jeffin]

Hi @MattW, would you be free to look at my forum? I have been having issues with sudden surge of traffic in and out, which started around September and October. Since this surge my forum has been running very slow. I have upgraded my VPS hosting package to stop the downtimes but the amount traffic is only increasing. I suspect it may get worse within a few months till I am forced to upgrade again.

My hosting company can't figure out how to solve the issue. Is this something you can do? We might have to do it over a period of time looking at reports and testing different methods. I can provide you access to my cpanel, server reports, GA etc. Let me know. Thanks.

 

[MattW]

Hi @MattW, would you be free to look at my forum? I have been having issues with sudden surge of traffic in and out, which started around September and October. Since this surge my forum has been running very slow. I have upgraded my VPS hosting package to stop the downtimes but the amount traffic is only increasing. I suspect it may get worse within a few months till I am forced to upgrade again.

My hosting company can't figure out how to solve the issue. Is this something you can do? We might have to do it over a period of time looking at reports and testing different methods. I can provide you access to my cpanel, server reports, GA etc. Let me know. Thanks.

Sure, it's something I can take a look at. Drop me a PC, and we can take it from there.

 

[Jeffin]

I will drop you a PC a bit later. Thank you.

 

[MattW]

Just finished with @Jeffin 's server.

He was getting hammered with bot attempts to register, and Foolbothoneypot was logging all these failed connection attempts.

That wasn't the worst of his problems though.

Initial load when I started working on the server

root@server [~]# uptime
09:27:41 up 31 days, 15:43,  1 user,  load average: 9.84, 7.85, 7.42
root@server [~]#

It was running MySQL 5.0 with no config for MySQL, suphp with APC (which doesn't work!). File caching for XF.

Moved the PHP handler to mod_ruid2, and removed APC. Moved caching to Xcache, and set it to also store the XF sessions in there.

Upgraded MySQL to 5.5 along with some tuning in my.cnf.

Converted all the XF tables to InnoDB that should be.

Installed nginxcp as a reverse proxy to Apache.

Server is running a lot better now

root@server [/tmp]# uptime
13:53:16 up 31 days, 20:08,  1 user,  load average: 0.07, 0.14, 0.16
root@server [/tmp]#

 

[Jeffin]

Just a few hours ago I made a request and it's finished now. My forum was running terribly slow, now it's back to normal. I'm extremely happy with your service @MattW and I highly recommend him.

I will also be saving a lot because now I won't have to upgrade my hosting.

Don't want to bump so I'm editing this thread with an update:
My forum has been running smooth after I let @MattW work on the forum and server. It has been about 10 days and no down times or lags at all. He has been monitoring my forums often even after everything was done. Seriously, he is a great person to work with!! Can't thank him enough.