What slows a site down?

[SPEEDKILLZ]

I have noticed my site has gotten slower over the last few days. I contacted my host and they said they installed something which should boost performance. Then told me it could be on my end. I am on a private server which should be pretty quick, so i am wondering what sloes a site down?

[ForceHSS]

Could be too many bots hitting it at the same time. There are a lot of bad ones out there

[SPEEDKILLZ]

I would think on a private server it still shouldn't be that slow? Usually just shows around 30-40 users? Is there a way to speed it up? Mod, addon ect...

[tbworld]

Private server? Do you mean dedicated, not shared?

If you are on a dedicated server, you most likely will have the ability to access the server logs. Take a look a peak times and then examine the logs at that point. It is useful to grab a log analyzer to parse through the data.

[RedTurtle]

Do you have root access? Are you on a VPS or shared?

[Max Taxable]

Test it here on many browsers, many connections, and it goves you tips and tricks on how to improve:

http://webpagetest.org

Your host's call center agents - their first and only job is to blame YOU. Keep that in mind.

Here's today's, just ran:

It timed out on Chrome here, your vBShout locked it up: http://www.webpagetest.org/result/131023_TZ_13KF/1/details/

Firefox, timed out too: http://www.webpagetest.org/result/131023_8K_13MZ/

Here's a completed waterfall: http://www.webpagetest.org/result/131023_8K_13MZ/1/details/cached/

[ForceHSS]

Have you tried these yet
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=259302&page=4
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=284816
They do help

[SPEEDKILLZ]

Private server? Do you mean dedicated, not shared?

If you are on a dedicated server, you most likely will have the ability to access the server logs. Take a look a peak times and then examine the logs at that point. It is useful to grab a log analyzer to parse through the data.

Yes VPS server, i dont know too much of how to use that wole control panel.

Do you have root access? Are you on a VPS or shared?

Yes i have VPS and i have access to root.

Have you tried these yet
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=259302&page=4
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showthread.php?t=284816
They do help

I have not. Both or just 1?

[Max Taxable]

You have many problems Mods won't address. You can learn ALOT from the webpagetest dot org site.

[SPEEDKILLZ]

So what does that mean? Need to change something?

[ForceHSS]

use both i posted above

[Max Taxable]

So what does that mean? Need to change something?If you look at your test results you can see exactly what is slowing you down.

[SPEEDKILLZ]

http://www.webpagetest.org/result/131024_4K_21E/1/details/

--------------- Added 1382579051 at 1382579051 ---------------

use both i posted above

I have vbtech optimize pro i bought in September but was told it didn't help

[Max Taxable]

http://www.webpagetest.org/result/131024_4K_21E/1/details/Right! Look at it!

[SPEEDKILLZ]

Right! Look at it!


I am but cannot make heads or tails from that graph. Just getting back into this vb stuff.

[tbworld]

I have not. Both or just 1?

The programs mentioned above are fine, but I would hold off with using them for now. After reviewing your site you need to analyze your host first. @Max_Taxable was trying to tell you that your hosts times seem terrible.

Use one of the many free web testing tools out there and examine your host. Make sure you test from different locations around the world. If it is just a local board then do not worry about a continent halfway around the world.

If you are aware of other web sites that share your server, test them as well. Once you have established that your host times are in order you can then move on and critique your page speed. Start by fixing your errors on your site and using the default templates with your plugins disabled -- to benchmark.

Hope this helps :)

[Max Taxable]

I am but cannot make heads or tails from that graph. Just getting back into this vb stuff.All of your calls are there, and the graph shows you how long it takes each of them to load.

--------------- Added 1382579966 at 1382579966 ---------------

Those programs are fine, but I would hold off. After reviewing your site you need to analyze your host first. @Max_Taxable was trying to tell you that your hosts times are terrible.And his own test he ran at Meehan just told him that too:

http://www.webpagetest.org/result/131024_4K_21E/1/details/

First byte time is his host, and really that's the least of his issues at this point.



To the OP: To get a baseline reading on your site from WebPageTest dot org, make the vBulletin default style the default style for your site, turn off all plugins, then run the test. This will let you know the difference the custom skin and all the add-ons and plugins are making.

[SPEEDKILLZ]

Ok what is the best way to disable all plugins at once?

[tbworld]

Ok what is the best way to disable all plugins at once?

Instead of rewriting a good post let me refer you to this:
https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost.php?p=2452096&postcount=76

[ozzy47]

Since you have access to your ACP, and if you don't feel comfortable doing the manual edit.

You can turn off the Plugins from the Admin CP:

Admin CP -> vBulletin Options -> Plugin/Hook System -> Enable Plugin/Hook System -> No

[SPEEDKILLZ]

What if you open your config.php file and it already has that? And have a second config.php.new?

[final kaoss]

If it has that code in the config then no plugins will be used. Which is what you want to do on a test.

define('DISABLE_HOOKS', true);

Also, you have alot of js that isn't being gzipped or cached. Your other static content such as images aren't being cached either from the looks of it. My guide can help with that, look in sig.

[ozzy47]

Are you sure it is not commented out, looking like this?

//define('DISABLE_HOOKS', true);

[SPEEDKILLZ]

http://www.webpagetest.org/result/131024_NN_2ZK/1/details/

http://www.webpagetest.org/result/131024_NN_2ZK/1/details/cached/

--------------- Added 1382582448 at 1382582448 ---------------

Are you sure it is not commented out, looking like this?

//define('DISABLE_HOOKS', true);



Yes thats it :erm:

Should the config.php.new still be there?

[final kaoss]

No, you don't need the config.php.new file as long as you have a config.php file there, unless you want to use it as a backup incase you change something that you can't fix in the config.php file.
http://www.webpagetest.org/result/131024_NN_2ZK/1/details/

http://www.webpagetest.org/result/131024_NN_2ZK/1/details/cached/

--------------- Added 1382582448 at 1382582448 ---------------





Yes thats it :erm:

Should the config.php.new still be there?

[SPEEDKILLZ]

If it has that code in the config then no plugins will be used. Which is what you want to do on a test.

define('DISABLE_HOOKS', true);

Also, you have alot of js that isn't being gzipped or cached. Your other static content such as images aren't being cached either from the looks of it. My guide can help with that, look in sig.

Thanks i will check it out. really not understanding what the Not being cached is?

[final kaoss]

If you need help implementing the htaccess code, then post your original .htaccess & I'll modify it for you in the guide. Also, here's a explanation of caching.
http://gtmetrix.com/leverage-browser-caching.html
Thanks i will check it out. really not understanding what the Not being cached is?

[SPEEDKILLZ]

Where will i get the .htaccess? I will post it for you

[final kaoss]

It can be found in the forum root via ftp if you've uploaded one. If you haven't uploaded/made one, then you can just copy/paste the code from the guide into a new one :D
Where will i get the .htaccess? I will post it for you

[SPEEDKILLZ]

It keep saying upload failed here. I'm lost lol

[final kaoss]

In that case try to simply create a .htaccess file via your ftp client.

Once done, insert this and save.

# Author: Final Kaoss (aka: Extreme-Gaming)
# Version 3.0
# Special Thanks Goes to W3Total Cache for much of the htaccess rules
RewriteEngine on

# This file is only needed if you have set the Forum Component URL in your admincp and you are
# using the mod_rewrite option for friendly urls. If this is the case, copy this file
# to your forum component stub directory.

# If you are having problems or are using VirtualDocumentRoot, uncomment this line and set it to your forum component directory.
# RewriteBase /vbtest/

# If you are having problems with the rewrite from content/ to content.php, uncomment this line to turn MultiViews off.
Options -MultiViews
#add your friendly url rewrite rules below.

#stop adding your friendly url rewrite rules here.


#Deny attempts to view the Htaccess file.
<Files .htaccess>
Order allow,deny
Deny from all
</Files>


# BEGIN W3TC Browser Cache
<IfModule mod_mime.c>
AddType text/css .css
AddType application/javascript .js
AddType application/x-javascript .js
AddType text/html .html .htm
AddType text/richtext .rtf .rtx
AddType image/svg+xml .svg .svgz
AddType text/plain .txt
AddType text/xsd .xsd
AddType text/xsl .xsl
AddType text/xml .xml
AddType video/asf .asf .asx .wax .wmv .wmx
AddType video/avi .avi
AddType image/bmp .bmp
AddType application/java .class
AddType video/divx .divx
AddType application/msword .doc .docx
AddType application/x-msdownload .exe
AddType image/gif .gif
AddType application/x-gzip .gz .gzip
AddType image/x-icon .ico
AddType image/jpeg .jpg .jpeg .jpe
AddType application/vnd.ms-access .mdb
AddType audio/midi .mid .midi
AddType video/quicktime .mov .qt
AddType audio/mpeg .mp3 .m4a
AddType video/mp4 .mp4 .m4v
AddType video/mpeg .mpeg .mpg .mpe
AddType application/vnd.ms-project .mpp
AddType application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.database .odb
AddType application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.chart .odc
AddType application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.formula .odf
AddType application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.graphics .odg
AddType application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.presentation .odp
AddType application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.spreadsheet .ods
AddType application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.text .odt
AddType audio/ogg .ogg
AddType application/pdf .pdf
AddType image/png .png
AddType application/vnd.ms-powerpoint .pot .pps .ppt .pptx
AddType audio/x-realaudio .ra .ram
AddType application/x-shockwave-flash .swf
AddType application/x-tar .tar
AddType image/tiff .tif .tiff
AddType audio/wav .wav
AddType audio/wma .wma
AddType application/vnd.ms-write .wri
AddType application/vnd.ms-excel .xla .xls .xlsx .xlt .xlw
AddType application/zip .zip
</IfModule>
<IfModule mod_expires.c>
ExpiresActive On
ExpiresByType text/css A31536000
ExpiresByType application/x-javascript A31536000
ExpiresByType text/html A3600
ExpiresByType text/richtext A3600
ExpiresByType image/svg+xml A3600
ExpiresByType text/plain A3600
ExpiresByType text/xsd A3600
ExpiresByType text/xsl A3600
ExpiresByType text/xml A3600
ExpiresByType video/asf A31536000
ExpiresByType video/avi A31536000
ExpiresByType image/bmp A31536000
ExpiresByType application/java A31536000
ExpiresByType video/divx A31536000
ExpiresByType application/msword A31536000
ExpiresByType application/x-msdownload A31536000
ExpiresByType image/gif A31536000
ExpiresByType application/x-gzip A31536000
ExpiresByType image/x-icon A31536000
ExpiresByType image/jpeg A31536000
ExpiresByType application/vnd.ms-access A31536000
ExpiresByType audio/midi A31536000
ExpiresByType video/quicktime A31536000
ExpiresByType audio/mpeg A31536000
ExpiresByType video/mp4 A31536000
ExpiresByType video/mpeg A31536000
ExpiresByType application/vnd.ms-project A31536000
ExpiresByType application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.database A31536000
ExpiresByType application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.chart A31536000
ExpiresByType application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.formula A31536000
ExpiresByType application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.graphics A31536000
ExpiresByType application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.presentation A31536000
ExpiresByType application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.spreadsheet A31536000
ExpiresByType application/vnd.oasis.opendocument.text A31536000
ExpiresByType audio/ogg A31536000
ExpiresByType application/pdf A31536000
ExpiresByType image/png A31536000
ExpiresByType application/vnd.ms-powerpoint A31536000
ExpiresByType audio/x-realaudio A31536000
ExpiresByType application/x-shockwave-flash A31536000
ExpiresByType application/x-tar A31536000
ExpiresByType image/tiff A31536000
ExpiresByType audio/wav A31536000
ExpiresByType audio/wma A31536000
ExpiresByType application/vnd.ms-write A31536000
ExpiresByType application/vnd.ms-excel A31536000
ExpiresByType application/zip A31536000
</IfModule>


# BEGIN Compress text files
<ifModule mod_deflate.c>
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE text/html text/xml text/css text/plain
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE image/svg+xml application/xhtml+xml application/xml
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE application/rdf+xml application/rss+xml application/atom+xml
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE text/javascript application/javascript application/x-javascript application/json
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE application/x-font-ttf application/x-font-otf
AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE font/truetype font/opentype


BrowserMatch ^Mozilla/4 gzip-only-text/html
BrowserMatch ^Mozilla/4\.0[678] no-gzip
BrowserMatch \bMSIE !no-gzip !gzip-only-text/html
</ifModule>
# END Compress text files


# BEGIN Cache-Control Headers
<ifModule mod_headers.c>
<filesMatch "\.(ico|jpe?g|png|gif|swf)$">
Header set Cache-Control "public"
</filesMatch>
<filesMatch "\.(css)$">
Header set Cache-Control "public"
</filesMatch>
<filesMatch "\.(js)$">
Header set Cache-Control "private"
</filesMatch>
<filesMatch "\.(x?html?|php)$">
Header set Cache-Control "private, must-revalidate"
</filesMatch>
</ifModule>
# END Cache-Control Headers

# BEGIN Turn ETags Off
FileETag None
# END Turn ETags Off




# proc/self/environ? no way!
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} proc/self/environ [OR]
# Block out any script trying to set a mosConfig value through the URL
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} mosConfig_[a-zA-Z_]{1,21}(=|\%3D) [OR]
# Block out any script trying to base64_encode crap to send via URL
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} base64_encode.*(.*) [OR]
# Block out any script that includes a <script> tag in URL
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} (<|%3C).*script.*(>|%3E) [NC,OR]
# Block out any script trying to set a PHP GLOBALS variable via URL
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} GLOBALS(=|[|\%[0-9A-Z]{0,2}) [OR]
# Block out any script trying to modify a _REQUEST variable via URL
RewriteCond %{QUERY_STRING} _REQUEST(=|[|\%[0-9A-Z]{0,2})

[SPEEDKILLZ]

Here you go

[SPEEDKILLZ]

And i noticed it is completely blank?

[final kaoss]

... are you using an Apple os? BC I just downloaded my attachment minutes before you posted, to check some stuff and the files show fine for me on windows. At any rate, you should be able to either make a .htaccess via ftp or create a dummy .html file and rename the whole thing to .htaccess and then doing the above.
And i noticed it is completely blank?

[SPEEDKILLZ]

I am using windows and firefox. I posted attachment in post 32

[final kaoss]

And that's your current .htaccess? You can paste the code I wrote above into it & save then.
I am using windows and firefox. I posted attachment in post 32

[Max Taxable]

http://www.webpagetest.org/result/131024_NN_2ZK/1/details/

http://www.webpagetest.org/result/131024_NN_2ZK/1/details/cached/Looking at those results tells alot. Look at the first byte time - there are NO Mods or optimizations or .htaccess that will address that. That is your host.

However, did you notice how much speed you picked up just disabling the add-ons?

[SPEEDKILLZ]

OK awesome, anything else you just the exact code?

--------------- Added 1382585212 at 1382585212 ---------------

Looking at those results tells alot. Look at the first byte time - there are NO Mods or optimizations or .htaccess that will address that. That is your host.

However, did you notice how much speed you picked up just disabling the add-ons?

Yes sir i could tell it got a little quicker. So you recommend a new host? Or?

[final kaoss]

With the exact code it will help your loading times & reduce server load by not loading as many resources by quite a bit.

If you feel it is still slow, you may want to pursue some of the other steps I wrote as well. If your host doesn't improve it's performance then you will see long "time to first byte" times. In that case I recommend flipperhost.
https://www.flipperhost.com/
OK awesome, anything else you just the exact code?

--------------- Added 1382585212 at 1382585212 ---------------



Yes sir i could tell it got a little quicker. So you recommend a new host? Or?

[Max Taxable]

I'll leave this here for you to look at Max.
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ieinternals/...rformance.aspxYep I am very familiar with that. It has nothing to do with first byte time from server, and also you might note the OP is doing all of his tests thus far using Firefox:

Web Page Performance Test for
globalhax.com

From: Dulles, VA - Firefox - Cable
Wednesday, October 23, 2013 9:38:42 PM

That article is all about supporting IE better.;)So you recommend a new host? Or?This information is ammunition to give to your current host, proving the first byte time from the server is quite slow. Changing hosts won't guarantee you better first byte time.

But the BIG stuff is, the amount of problems alot of your add-ons are causing.

[final kaoss]

Have a second look at my post instead of quoting and you'll see that what you quoted is no longer there.
Yep I am very familiar with that. It has nothing to do with first byte time from server, and also you might note the OP is doing all of his tests thus far using Firefox:

Web Page Performance Test for
globalhax.com

From: Dulles, VA - Firefox - Cable
Wednesday, October 23, 2013 9:38:42 PM

That article is all about supporting IE better.;)This information is ammunition to give to your current host, proving the first byte time from the server is quite slow. Changing hosts won't guarantee you better first byte time.

But the BIG stuff is, the amount of problems alot of your add-ons are causing.

[Max Taxable]

Have a second look at my post instead of quoting and you'll see that what you quoted is no longer there.Excellent. But it was when I quoted it.:D

The OPs problems start with the first byte time but in all reality, we're talking about less than a second there. The REAL problems are some of his add-ons I think he needs to decide if they're worth the slow loading they cause.

Would you agree? Because clearly with the hooks system off, he has very good pageload times.

Edit to add: He is getting a "B" grade now on his first byte time, that number will be more or less depending on the rest of the server load from other sites hosted on same machine.

0.749s <--- First byte time on last test. Not shabby.

[SPEEDKILLZ]

ok all done with htaccess

[final kaoss]

Possibly the plugin is to blame but I usually find very differing results when using gtmetrix ms webpage test when testing the load times. Each site has their pluses, for gtmetrix, I think it shows a better representation of page load times, while webpagetest shows more detail into what needs fixing.

For example in his earlier tests, when webpagetest said his page took 100+ seconds to load, gtmetrix would say it took around 7.

--------------- Added 1382586581 at 1382586581 ---------------

Who is your host? It doesn't appear that you've set it up right.
http://gtmetrix.com/reports/globalhax.com/4fbccaU0
ok all done with htaccess

[Max Taxable]

For example in his earlier tests, when webpagetest said his page took 100+ seconds to load, gtmetrix would say it took around 7.WebPageTest's pedigree is, it is owned and maintained by Google's Tech President, Patrick Meehan. So it's the only one I use - if you test good there you test good anywhere. You have no idea what browser or connection you're testing on with other "test" sites, with Meehan not only do you know, you can test dozens of combinations in browsers, locations, connection speeds, and even mobile testing.

The waterfall chart I posted earlier clearly shows a few of his plugins are really killing his load times. https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost.php?p=2455666&postcount=6

[SPEEDKILLZ]

Host is knownsrv. and even with the plugins my last site had same plugins+ more and was way faster?

[Max Taxable]

Host is knownsrv. and even with the plugins my last site had same plugins+ more and was way faster?You just have to study the waterfall charts, run several tests with different locations, connections and browsers to really start getting a full picture and see what is consistently holding your pageloads up. It's not a one night deal, it took me a couple of weeks to get mine consistently loading in less than 2 seconds (full load) on any test you want to run.

Here's what I'm getting right now, the Firefox cable connection in Dulles:

First byte: 0.612s

Fully loaded: 1.679s 42 Requests 184 KB Bytes in.

And I am highly customized and have alot of plugins/add-ons.

[SPEEDKILLZ]

hmmm, so i need to contact host?

[Max Taxable]

hmmm, so i need to contact host?The first byte time is less than a second of your pageload time. That's minor.

You have to determine which if any of your add-ons or plugins is loading slow. You also have some 3rd party scripts that are giving you 404 errors. These are the big items that are slowing you down.

[SPEEDKILLZ]

Its showing 3 seconds when i do it

[final kaoss]

Like I said, I agree that webpage test is good but there's nothing wrong with gtmetrix either. Also, sure there are other "test sites" as you called them but I don't refer to them either. Gtmetrix & webpage test are the only two that I normally refer people to when they have issues. One of the main reasons I refer gtmetrix is because it helps quite a bit with troubleshooting, if not for that site and it's constant measurements, I wouldn't see pagespeed scores nearly as high as they are now on my sites, such as these scores:
http://gtmetrix.com/reports/www.odysseyofhyrule.com/A6Hzpz3M
http://gtmetrix.com/reports/www.video-game-chat.com/dr6Q02hf

Also with gtmetrix you have the choice between firefox & google chrome, with different locations & speeds to pick from, just like with webpagetest.

WebPageTest's pedigree is, it is owned and maintained by Google's Tech President, Patrick Meehan. So it's the only one I use - if you test good there you test good anywhere. You have no idea what browser or connection you're testing on with other "test" sites, with Meehan not only do you know, you can test dozens of combinations in browsers, locations, connection speeds, and even mobile testing.

The waterfall chart I posted earlier clearly shows a few of his plugins are really killing his load times. https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/showpost.php?p=2455666&postcount=6

[Max Taxable]

Like I said, I agree that webpage test is good but there's nothing wrong with gtmetrix either. Also, sure there are other "test sites" as you called them but I don't refer to them either. Gtmetrix & webpage test are the only two that I normally refer people to when they have issues. One of the main reasons I refer gtmetrix is because it helps quite a bit with troubleshooting, if not for that site and it's constant measurements, I wouldn't see pagespeed scores nearly as high as they are now on my sites, such as these scores:
http://gtmetrix.com/reports/www.odysseyofhyrule.com/A6Hzpz3M
http://gtmetrix.com/reports/www.video-game-chat.com/dr6Q02hf

Also with gtmetrix you have the choice between firefox & google chrome, with different locations & speeds to pick from, just like with webpagetest.I just try to keep it as simple as possible, when helping someone who is admittedly a novice on web page speed optimization.

"You pick the one, right tool."

I call a test site suspect if it's giving me all rainbows and sugar plums, while at the same time meehan is showing what's actually wrong. Plus, it's just going to confuse the novice.

[SPEEDKILLZ]

Thank you everyone for your time and help. With the help of a great guy and a little explaining to me (host times were terrible) I was able to get my site over to a different host and could not be happier. Prob the quickest any of my sites have ever been. My server was located in the Netherlands which for some unknown reason i should of figured out it would be better here, or closer to home.

[Max Taxable]

Thank you everyone for your time and help. With the help of a great guy and a little explaining to me (host times were terrible) I was able to get my site over to a different host and could not be happier. Prob the quickest any of my sites have ever been. My server was located in the Netherlands which for some unknown reason i should of figured out it would be better here, or closer to home.Not any significant improvement in first byte time. Has the change completely propagated yet?

http://www.webpagetest.org/result/131024_TT_Z41/1/details/

Still getting 403 errors on three of your 3rd party adverts as well.

[SPEEDKILLZ]

Not any significant improvement in first byte time. Has the change completely propagated yet?

http://www.webpagetest.org/result/131024_TT_Z41/1/details/

Still getting 403 errors on three of your 3rd party adverts as well.

its been about 12 hours. Look at the overall improvement not just the first byte, and i have not changed anything other than host.. Site is loading many times faster with no lag.

403 error is coming from adsence. A spam bot posted movie downloads on my site. Should be taken care of soon.

[Max Taxable]

Yes it can take 24-48 hours for such changes to fully propagate through the whole internet.

I am glad you're happy now and was glad to help.

[SPEEDKILLZ]

Yes it can take 24-48 hours for such changes to fully propagate through the whole internet.

I am glad you're happy now and was glad to help.


I Sure Appreciate Your Help.

[Max Taxable]

I Sure Appreciate Your Help.There's still work to do if you want really good speed, like GZip and some other stuff. Just tested you again and really seeing no difference from last night.