Hey Guys, you've helped me before with the www.summerlindance.com website.

We have two websites, both running HWDVS on a VPS server at hostv.com. We recently upgraded this server to their VZ3 plan, which is their highest VPS plan.

(This support request will undoubtedly require you to look at our server from SSH, cpanel, WHM, and log into the backend of our Joomla sites, etc. So, I will spare you the long list of version numbers, since you will be able to glean all of that later.)

The upgrade to the VZ3 plan was prompted because our web server started crashing. Services like httpd and exim (and others) started failing. I tried (and I'm still trying) to get HostV's support people to analyze what's causing this. However, they just suggested upgrading our package.

I have a support ticket in with them today, where I laid the gaunlet down and said that we need to get this fixed.

So, I thought that it would be a good idea to pass this by you guys. Since, HWDVS is probably the most likely culprit - not because it is poorly coded, but just because it's probably the most processor intensive app running on the server.

Our company would be happy to pay you for your services to take a look at our server, our HWDVS intallations, etc., and help us stabilize this server. Also, the performance of the video sections of our sites is super slow compared to the rest of the sites. So, something definitely isn't right.

I haven't changed the root password to the server, and you still have the same login to the backend of the www.summerlindance.com web site. However, I don't think I have created an admin account for you on the www.thunderstruckdance.com site.

Here's the rub. We're less than 30 days from our busy season, which lasts about 4 months. WE'RE DESPERATE TO GET THIS FIXED ASAP before we have to start uploading a new season's videos (hundreds of videos) to the site.

Could you please contact me at the email address you have on file so we can discuss what your fees would be to do a comprehensive analysis of our server and setup?

Thanks so much,

Chaz Howell
COO
Thunderstruck Dance Productions

Sorry for the bump. But... Hello? Help!

Sorry it has taken a while to respond.

In terms of helping with specific problems relating to hwdVideoShare, we are happy to help. However, if it is generally server sluggishness you are suffering from, we don't provide general server management services through Highwood Design.

There are countless ways to improve server performance. If you are not trained in server management, and have never had a professional look at your server, then you will probably find a qualified professional could significantly enhance performance on your server and completely remove all your site sluggishness.

The upgrade to the VZ3 plan was prompted because our web server started crashing. Services like httpd and exim (and others) started failing.In all honesty, this was probably unnecessary. A plan upgrade is an easy option for the hosting company to suggest (and probably will help) however, it doesn't identify why the server was originally crashing.

What I'm trying to say is that there are probably a handful of basic server configuration changes that could be made that would resolve your issues. Hire a Linux server professional for a one-off "tweak". If you can't locate someone to hire, then contact me via the Helpdesk and I can maybe recommend someone.

Hey, thanks for the reply. Sorry, I'm getting desperate...

Both sites on our server are running quickly, except for the HWDVideoShare section of the site on both sites. That is to say, if you surf to any other page on the either site, it loads very quickly. If you click on the link to the HWDVideoShare implementations on either site, it can take over a minute for all the thumbnails to load and any link you click on within HWDVideoShare will be super-sluggish.

I've looked at the server performance and it's not even breaking a sweat, as far as I can tell. But, it I am seeing the server restart often. Of note: I am not getting nearly as many service failure emails since we upgraded the server.

What I'd like to do is this:

1. I would definitely appreciate it if you could take a look at the performance issue that we have going on in HWDVideoShare vs. the rest of the sites. That is my #1 concern because in a few short weeks, I'm going to have to be uploaded hundreds of videos to www.thunderstruckdance.com. If it's working as slowly as it is now, I'm going to be in deep sh#t.

2. I will absolutely take you up on your offer to refer a good Linux guy to me for a one-off tweak session. We are ready to go on that, and we can pay him immediately (1/2 up front, 1/2 on completion) through PayPal, or whatever. Could you send me a name to my email at your earliest convenience.

On a final note, I completely understand your position on my request. I merely turned to you guys because you know your product, you're linux savvy, and (being relatively confident that the issue was HWDVideoShare-related) I thought you might want to take a stab at identifying what the issue is for future VPS clients that may have a similar issue with HWDVideoShare and HostV hosting.

I will await your reply with baited breath! And, thanks for your willingness to help. Please let me know how I can be of assitance.

I would definitely appreciate it if you could take a look at the performance issue that we have going on in HWDVideoShare vs. the rest of the sites.Sure, no problem. We will look. It could be some obvious issue with your configuration that can be easily resolved. However, if it isn't then it might just be a bad server configuration that hwdVideoShare is highlighting (because as you say it is generally a resource intensive package).

I have emailed you for access details again (we don't retain details). Include the details of one site in your form and include all the other necessary details in the "comments" section of the form. Cheers.

Could you forward the contact info of the Linux consultant you spoke of above to my email?

I'd like to get in touch with him as soon as I can, so we can get him started on optimizing our server ASAP.

Our busy season starts on Feb 27, and runs for 4 months. We've GOT to get this straightened out by then, or I'm going to have a serious crisis on my hands.

Thanks, in advance!

Chaz,

I changed the method of regenerating the playlists in www.thunderstruckdance.com and now the load does not increase so much when visiting hwd component. Can you check how the server behaves now?